4x conversion thoughts
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Posting Guru
Joined: Jul 2010
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From: Marysville, WA
4x conversion thoughts
Just thinking out loud here.
I already know I can bolt the f150 front axles/radius arms under my 82 F250, but can I then bolt on the Dana 44hd outers to retain my 8 lugs? I have no problem swapping axle shafts, U-joints to get the inners and outers matched, but does the 44hd outer spindle/hub bolt to the F150 spindle? If not, will the 44hd spindle fit the F150 ball joints?
This truck is not an off-roader, except some fire roads, etc. 95% of the time she sees pavement. No lift, just want the 4x4 mostly for winter, and just in case.
I already know I can bolt the f150 front axles/radius arms under my 82 F250, but can I then bolt on the Dana 44hd outers to retain my 8 lugs? I have no problem swapping axle shafts, U-joints to get the inners and outers matched, but does the 44hd outer spindle/hub bolt to the F150 spindle? If not, will the 44hd spindle fit the F150 ball joints?
This truck is not an off-roader, except some fire roads, etc. 95% of the time she sees pavement. No lift, just want the 4x4 mostly for winter, and just in case.
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Posting Guru
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From: Marysville, WA
Cool.
I want to rebuild the F150 front end, with the 8 lug conversion, and then do the swap. Xfer case will come later(before winter).
Now since I have already bought, but not installed, all new 2wd steering inner and outer tie rods, etc, do I need to send them back?
I want to rebuild the F150 front end, with the 8 lug conversion, and then do the swap. Xfer case will come later(before winter).
Now since I have already bought, but not installed, all new 2wd steering inner and outer tie rods, etc, do I need to send them back?
Post Fiend
Joined: Dec 2007
Posts: 8,521
Likes: 16
From: Lost
I don't know about F250 2wd, but the F150 uses the same steering parts whether 2wd or 4wd. I believe the F250/350 2wd uses many of the same steering linkage parts as the F150.
I'd say go to a parts store website, or rockauto, and compare the part numbers.
The unknown part, is the outer tie rod ends. GM spindles *may* differ slightly where these attach.
Since I don't know which GM spindles are reported to fit, I'm leaving that to someone else who has the correct answers.
I'd say go to a parts store website, or rockauto, and compare the part numbers.
The unknown part, is the outer tie rod ends. GM spindles *may* differ slightly where these attach.
Since I don't know which GM spindles are reported to fit, I'm leaving that to someone else who has the correct answers.
Moderator
Joined: Jan 2001
Posts: 56,992
Likes: 2,741
From: Virginia
The conversion I read on the internet was a real mess of GM parts to make it work. I would not do it myself, there is really no reason. There are lots of factory 4x4 f250 frontends around, no need to re-invent the wheel. You should be able to find one cheap, especially from one of the ttb haters who put in a dana 60.
Fleet Mechanic
Joined: Jul 2011
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I agree with Franklin. It'd be easier just to find an F250 donor truck and take the parts you need out of it for the conversion (and as a plus, whatever else you may need) and sell the motor and transmission separately, then scrap the rest of it if you don't want it anymore.
If you get an F250 for the right deal, you could come out ahead, depending on how much you get for the motor, transmission, body panels if you sell any, the frame if you sell it, whatever you may get for scrap, and whatever you bought the truck for. Heck, you could come out even, which would be like getting a free 4x4 conversion. Not too shabby I say.
Alternatively, you could just find you a nice set of mud and snow tires to go on your truck. From what it sounds, you really don't even need the 4x4.
Here are the tires that are on my truck. Incredibly nice tread pattern, ride quiet, balance good, and are radials.
Eldorado - SUV-LT
If you get an F250 for the right deal, you could come out ahead, depending on how much you get for the motor, transmission, body panels if you sell any, the frame if you sell it, whatever you may get for scrap, and whatever you bought the truck for. Heck, you could come out even, which would be like getting a free 4x4 conversion. Not too shabby I say.
Alternatively, you could just find you a nice set of mud and snow tires to go on your truck. From what it sounds, you really don't even need the 4x4.
Here are the tires that are on my truck. Incredibly nice tread pattern, ride quiet, balance good, and are radials.
Eldorado - SUV-LT
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Posting Guru
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From: Marysville, WA
I knew this would come. I already have new tires. Hankook ATMs 265/75r-16
I was wondering about using factory Ford parts and if it would work. Sure I could just get a 4x4 with a blown motor, etc, but I was thinking of keeping the radius arms and not have to try installing leaf spring mounts.
Doing a frame swap is not totally out of the question, but if it could be done with radius arms, I would be happier.
So I should just go buy this?
I was wondering about using factory Ford parts and if it would work. Sure I could just get a 4x4 with a blown motor, etc, but I was thinking of keeping the radius arms and not have to try installing leaf spring mounts.
Doing a frame swap is not totally out of the question, but if it could be done with radius arms, I would be happier.
So I should just go buy this?
Trending Topics
Moderator
Joined: Jan 2001
Posts: 56,992
Likes: 2,741
From: Virginia
I knew this would come. I already have new tires. Hankook ATMs 265/75r-16
I was wondering about using factory Ford parts and if it would work. Sure I could just get a 4x4 with a blown motor, etc, but I was thinking of keeping the radius arms and not have to try installing leaf spring mounts.
Doing a frame swap is not totally out of the question, but if it could be done with radius arms, I would be happier.
So I should just go buy this?
I was wondering about using factory Ford parts and if it would work. Sure I could just get a 4x4 with a blown motor, etc, but I was thinking of keeping the radius arms and not have to try installing leaf spring mounts.
Doing a frame swap is not totally out of the question, but if it could be done with radius arms, I would be happier.
So I should just go buy this?
I did the same thing, I wanted to convert my truck to a zf 5 speed. I looked at the junkyard prices for the zf, and most were around $800-up. I found a wrecked truck with a zf for $1000, and though I thought it was high, but I bought it. Turned out I sold my old c6 for $300, the transfer case out of the wrecked truck for $125, sold the aluminum wheels off the wrecked truck for $300, used the wrecked truck's taillights and tailgate cables on my truck, used the wiper motor on the friend's truck, etc.
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