Got a 94 dually crew cab 5 SPD. I want to convert it to 4x4. Will a 88 f350 truck parts swap over... Transfer case axles ext?

 

Have you tried searching for an answer?

Converting to 4x4 is a pain in the ***, trust me. I've been there and done it.
Do some reading on the numerous threads on here detailing the process, then decide what you want to do.

As a side note, where in Mass are you? I'm in Ludlow

 

I'm in west Springfield. I did search but it was mostly same gen truck swaps . wasn't sure if the frames changed at all from 80-96? I found a donor 88 dually. I don't mind the work but if its got different geometry or some crazy frame mid is needed then I'll search for a 94

 

frame is pretty much the same , and the only real difference will be the 88 has kingpins , 94 has ball joints.
the big difference is that the 2 wheel has coil springs and the 4X4 has leaf springs. so you will have to fabricate spring hangers to get the front axle to fit under the frame properly.

it is not an easy job, and when asked about doing it i always say unless you are an experienced fabricator, sell the 2 wheel truck and buy a 4 wheel drive.

 

Every Ford pre-99 4WD dually pickup is a conversion, Ford didn't make a dually 4WD pickup from the factory until 99. Only a VERY few C&C 4WD duallies prior to 99.. The VAST majority of 4WD dually pickup conversions are 4WD SRW F350s converted to dually, not 2WD duallies converted to 4WD. The reason for this is simply that it's MUCH easier, the front suspension is so different between 2wd and 4wd that it requires a significant amount of frame work. Yes technically they are the same frames but the 4wd and 2wd versions are cut and drilled different with different riveted on brackets for the different suspension systems.

If you are set on having an OBS 4WD dually then the easiest path if you can't buy one is to buy a F350 4WD SRW and convert it to dually. That can be done in a weekend by just putting a dually(pickup) bed and axle on an F350(or even F250 as FORDF250HDXLT did).

IF you are dead set on converting your 2WD dually to 4WD, NMB2 did it on his using a D60, the coil spring suspension, and custom radius arms. He did a thread on it around here somewhere.

Edit, found it for ya https://www.ford-trucks.com/forums/1...onversion.html

 

I haven't really looked at the newer style frame, but I thought they added a crumple zone type thing on the frame horns at some point, but maybe I'm just thinking about whats on my 94 ranger?

As the others have mentioned, and I'll say again, IT'S A BIG FAB JOB!
The 4x4 frame has a 'dimple' at the front of the frame horns where the front shackle bolts to, and a bracket riveted to the inside for the other side of the shackle bolt. The 2wd frame is completely flat at this point.

A lot of people swap in a D60 straight axle and jump straight for a shackle reversal kit, as its an easier way to deal with the front shackle mounts on a 2wd frame. But you still have to swap over the rear leaf spring mount from the other truck. None of the holes for these exist.

Not to mention you have to remove the radius arm mounts on the frame, and the coil buckets, which are a bunch of rivets to remove. Also, the 2wd frame is only boxed on the driver side where the steering gear mounts. On a 4x4 there is a similar boxing done on the passenger side (while I cut one of those out, I didn't have the welding skill at the time of my conversion and thus didn't retrofit it to my 2wd frame).

As far as the transfer case, sure it will bolt right up, to a 4x4 transmission... so you have to swap the transmission and transfer case, but they should bolt up no problem. Oh, and you probably need to swap the transmission crossmember too If the trucks have the same wheelbase, the driveshafts should bolt up as well. But if they aren't, you'd either have to find the correct length in a junkyard (have fun finding one thats not all screwed up by a forklift!) or get one made up $$.

Have we mentioned this is a time consuming and potentially expensive way to get a 4x4? If this is your daily driver, you'd best have some darn good skills, a very good plan of action, and several days set aside to do it all. It can be done in stages, I swapped over my front axle/suspension at the end of summer vacation. Then over Thanksgiving swapped the transmission. Then I found out the driveshaft I thought would work, was slightly bent. Also the tranny crossmember was different. Plus it rode like chit because I was using crappy F250 springs. I was able to redo the front suspension at the end of last summer with newer superduty springs (moving the front mounts and redoing that whole front setup...) and it rode much better, but raised the front some more... I still haven't leveled the rear as it sits higher in the front than I like, and I'm not sure when I'll have the time to try and swap in a different style rear mount to fix that.

Did I mention its a pain in the ***? I thought I was saving money this way, as I was able to get the 2wd truck for a good price. But I really should have waited for a 4x4.

 

Swap your body on the 88 along with the rear end.

 

As said above the easiest way to convert would be using an RSK. This is nice because you don't have to fabricate front leaf spring mounts. All you have to do is some frame boxing on the front which can be easy is you have any fab skills. The way the RSK is made, it will actually fit your 94 frame horns pretty good, just bolt it, weld it, and box the frame. The rear spring hangers can be bough new from sky offroad. You have to drill alot of holes in the frame to mount it which is time consuming. You will also need a track bar mount as well. Drop mounts can be got from PMF or sky, and simply drilled and bolted to the engine crossmember.

Is it an easy job? No, it's time consuming and expensive if you do it right. To me, it was worth it because it was my first truck and I'm not selling it. You have to decide whether it's worth the pain in the *** to you or not. Don't be discouraged though, it's a pain, but it can damn sure be done. Me and my brother did mine when I was a junior in high school, it hasn't messed up yet and I drive it daily. Good luck