2wd to 4x4 Conversion Questions.
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2wd to 4x4 Conversion Questions.
As summer is closing in and fall and winter approaching soon, Im starting to look at converting my truck to 4wd.
Its a 1994.5 Powerstroke, Reg. Cab, Long Bed, 5spd.
I found the perfect donor truck (94.5 PSD, RCLB, 4x4, 5spd.) really cheap on my local Craigslist. It was 12 miles from my house, drivable, complete for only $1000. I called him up but I was 45 minutes too late. It was gone. Dang it.
So, I was wondering, Would any 4wd set-up out of an F250/F350 gasser work? There are plenty of 5.0L and 5.8L rigs around here, but no 7.3L's.
I'm assuming the leafs wouldn't be meaty enough because of how much the 7.3 weighs?
I know I would still need a tranny but would the TC bolt up? I've also heard you can swap the tailhousing of the ZF5 with a 4wd tailhousing. Is this possible?
I've never done a 4x4 conversion, so I have lots of questions.
Also,
What do I need to add to this parts list?
Front Drive Axle
Front and Rear Driveshafts
Leafs
Tranny
Trans. Case
Floor Shifter
Track Bar
Pitman Arm
Its a 1994.5 Powerstroke, Reg. Cab, Long Bed, 5spd.
I found the perfect donor truck (94.5 PSD, RCLB, 4x4, 5spd.) really cheap on my local Craigslist. It was 12 miles from my house, drivable, complete for only $1000. I called him up but I was 45 minutes too late. It was gone. Dang it.
So, I was wondering, Would any 4wd set-up out of an F250/F350 gasser work? There are plenty of 5.0L and 5.8L rigs around here, but no 7.3L's.
I'm assuming the leafs wouldn't be meaty enough because of how much the 7.3 weighs?
I know I would still need a tranny but would the TC bolt up? I've also heard you can swap the tailhousing of the ZF5 with a 4wd tailhousing. Is this possible?
I've never done a 4x4 conversion, so I have lots of questions.
Also,
What do I need to add to this parts list?
Front Drive Axle
Front and Rear Driveshafts
Leafs
Tranny
Trans. Case
Floor Shifter
Track Bar
Pitman Arm
Hotshot
Joined: Jun 2007
Posts: 10,008
Likes: 7
From: Austin, TX
The easiest way out is probably going to be to go coil sprung like Richard said. That is the route I'm going as well on my 2wd. It is much more expensive going this route though b/c you will also need the matching rear axle and suspension.
The 2wd trucks don't have the same front frame sections as the 4x4 trucks, so there's nothing to bolt the front leaf spring shackles to. So you need to do an RSK if you decide to go leaf sprung. That will give you something to bolt the leaf springs to up front.
The 2wd trucks don't have the same front frame sections as the 4x4 trucks, so there's nothing to bolt the front leaf spring shackles to. So you need to do an RSK if you decide to go leaf sprung. That will give you something to bolt the leaf springs to up front.
Posting Guru
Joined: Nov 2011
Posts: 1,664
Likes: 4
From: Southern AZ
The easiest way out is probably going to be to go coil sprung like Richard said. That is the route I'm going as well on my 2wd. It is much more expensive going this route though b/c you will also need the matching rear axle and suspension.
The 2wd trucks don't have the same front frame sections as the 4x4 trucks, so there's nothing to bolt the front leaf spring shackles to. So you need to do an RSK if you decide to go leaf sprung. That will give you something to bolt the leaf springs to up front.
The 2wd trucks don't have the same front frame sections as the 4x4 trucks, so there's nothing to bolt the front leaf spring shackles to. So you need to do an RSK if you decide to go leaf sprung. That will give you something to bolt the leaf springs to up front.
You will need 17"+ wheels from a SD (preferably a 05+ to get the right backspacing). So if you just bought tires that might be a challenge (it is for me).
If you keep your eyes open on craigslist you can find wrecked trucks that have been parted out and just have the axles, frame, and some body parts for less than $1000.
The setup I found came off an 09 that I got for $350ish.
Richard
Hotshot
Joined: Jun 2007
Posts: 10,008
Likes: 7
From: Austin, TX
I'm going with you're lucky as hell to get those parts at that .. You will NOT find good '05+ axles around here for less than $1200.. a nice set of wheels, tires, etc and your in it for at least $2000. Any rebuilding of steering or suspension adds onto that more.
I'm getting ready to dive into a D60 king pin swap for a friend of mine right now. In it about $800 so far. Gotta do steering, track bar, and new springs, but it won't hit $2000 I don't think.
I'm getting ready to dive into a D60 king pin swap for a friend of mine right now. In it about $800 so far. Gotta do steering, track bar, and new springs, but it won't hit $2000 I don't think.
Posting Guru
Joined: Jan 2009
Posts: 1,955
Likes: 2
From: Wyoming
Doing the 2wd to 4wd swap is not too difficult. As for a parts list, I put a link to the swap I did on mine, so you can go through there and get an idea of what you are up against and what you will need.
As for springs and axles, do not use any springs from a gasser model on your PS. I know they will work as far as installation, but when it comes to ride and control, its a different story as they compress differently under weight, and the PS are heavier then any gas model. You can definitely use axles from a gas model, as long as you aren't using the F-150/Bronco D-44 or any D-44. But that is obvious, LOL!
If you use a D-50, get ready to do some slight modifying to the cross member of you 2wd rig. You have to set up the center axle pivot bar for the D-50. Using a D-60 however, takes less drilling for the torsion bars. Personally, if I could get a good deal on a D-60, I would be all over it! At the time I did mine, I was also taking on other projects, so I had to stick with the D-50.
https://www.ford-trucks.com/forums/9...ng-d-50-a.html
As for springs and axles, do not use any springs from a gasser model on your PS. I know they will work as far as installation, but when it comes to ride and control, its a different story as they compress differently under weight, and the PS are heavier then any gas model. You can definitely use axles from a gas model, as long as you aren't using the F-150/Bronco D-44 or any D-44. But that is obvious, LOL!
If you use a D-50, get ready to do some slight modifying to the cross member of you 2wd rig. You have to set up the center axle pivot bar for the D-50. Using a D-60 however, takes less drilling for the torsion bars. Personally, if I could get a good deal on a D-60, I would be all over it! At the time I did mine, I was also taking on other projects, so I had to stick with the D-50.
https://www.ford-trucks.com/forums/9...ng-d-50-a.html
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