4x4 conversion
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Freshman User
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From: North Little Rock
4x4 conversion
I'm sure there is info on this swap. I'm considering installing 4x4 on my 1976 SC short bed. The man I bought my truck from has a complete 76 long wheel base 4x4 frame with 400 motor. He said my cab and bed will bolt right up. Not sure about that. I would have to do some measuring. And another thought is that I have seen some 78,79 4x4 trucks that has leaf springs in the front. Is that factory and where can I find that. Thanks for the help!
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Freshman User
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From: North Little Rock
Thanks for the info. Just something I'm bouncing around in my head. I originally wanted a 4x4 SC or CC. Most all CC are long beds. And as you know, that makes for a looooooong truck. Couldn't find one around here in decent shape. This 76 SCSB was in great shape and all there and I liked it better. Couldn't pass it up. Maybe to nice of a truck to convert. But it would be cool!!!!!! Thanks!
Hotshot
Joined: Feb 2004
Posts: 10,726
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From: The Shenandoah Valley
Longest pick up I ever drove ..... I've driven dent side F-350s with stretched frames hauling mail in 22 foot box bodies that my boss then favored that turned and parked easier!
Ford Parts Specialist
Joined: Nov 2006
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From: Simi Valley, CA
I'm sure there is info on this swap. I'm considering installing 4x4 on my 1976 F150 SC short bed.
The man I bought my truck from has a complete 76 long wheel base 4x4 frame with 400 motor.
And another thought is that I have seen some 78, 79 4x4 trucks that have leaf springs in the front.
The man I bought my truck from has a complete 76 long wheel base 4x4 frame with 400 motor.
And another thought is that I have seen some 78, 79 4x4 trucks that have leaf springs in the front.
No 351M/400 until 1977, have 8 valve cover bolts per side. 1968/76 F100/250 4WD's came with the 360 2V, have 5 valve cover bolts per side.
1978/79 F150 4WD Super Cabs have leaf spring front suspension as do all 1973/79 F250 4WD's, 1979 F350 4WD's.
All 1973/79 Crew Cabs are either F250 or F350, were assembled at the Oakville Ontario Canada truck assembly plant.
Elder User
Joined: Feb 2014
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From: british columbia, canada
Friend of mine once bought a light green '70 or '71 long step side bed crew cab Dodge 3/4 ton 4x4 pu at auction from US Forrest Service. 383-2V 4 speed. We used it like a shop truck. All of us piled into it to go to Hardees at 12th & Main in Lynchburg, I was driving ..... got into parking lot OK .... we like to have never got out though. Ended up waiting for lunch crowd to die down ....
Longest pick up I ever drove ..... I've driven dent side F-350s with stretched frames hauling mail in 22 foot box bodies that my boss then favored that turned and parked easier!
Longest pick up I ever drove ..... I've driven dent side F-350s with stretched frames hauling mail in 22 foot box bodies that my boss then favored that turned and parked easier!
Hotshot
Joined: Feb 2004
Posts: 10,726
Likes: 2,584
From: The Shenandoah Valley
Your '76 engine will not mate to a '77 up 400's trans / bell housing so to do it, you'll use the 400 and all running gear. I reread .... I see you are talking about a Scab SB 2x4. Your 2x4 has a cross member under the engine I think ..... the 4x4 does not. I believe the Scab 4x4s used coil springs while the Ccab 4x4s used leaf springs in front .... (just can't recall for sure on Scabs). For sure, you'll need to use the 4x4 frame front portion or do a lot of cobbling.
I wonder what the difference is in wheel bases between the '76 Scab SB 2x4 and a '77 short cab LB 4x4? Probably close?
I'm sure though, that where there is a will and means, it can be done & maybe has been done several times .... but it's a lot of work to get back to a Scab SB '76/'77 up 4x4 truck.
Prior post:
He was right. That was all. 
I wonder what the difference is in wheel bases between the '76 Scab SB 2x4 and a '77 short cab LB 4x4? Probably close?
I'm sure though, that where there is a will and means, it can be done & maybe has been done several times .... but it's a lot of work to get back to a Scab SB '76/'77 up 4x4 truck.
Prior post:
Originally Posted by 76Super
I originally wanted a 4x4 SC or CC. Most all CC are long beds. And as you know, that makes for a looooooong truck.
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Ford Parts Specialist
Joined: Nov 2006
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From: Simi Valley, CA
Your '76 engine will not mate to a '77 up 400's trans / bell housing so to do it, you'll use the 400 and all running gear.
I see you are talking about a Scab SB 2x4. Your 2x4 has a cross member under the engine I think, the 4x4 does not.
I believe the Scab 4x4s used coil springs while the Ccab 4x4s used leaf springs in front.
I see you are talking about a Scab SB 2x4. Your 2x4 has a cross member under the engine I think, the 4x4 does not.
I believe the Scab 4x4s used coil springs
while the Ccab 4x4s used leaf springs in front.1978/79 F150 4WD Super Cabs have leaf spring front suspension.
1973/79 Crew Cabs were only available as F250 & F350.
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Moderator & parts slinger
Joined: Feb 2007
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From: S/W Missouri, Polk county
Converting you truck to 4wd is not a un bolt stuff off the 4wd chassis and bolt on to your current 2wd frame deal. Swapping the body over to the 4wd chassis is way easier. IMO
Front clip and cab swap right over, but you have a SB and if you want to retain the SB you will have to shorten the LB frame and move the axle fwd.
78/79 F150 4wd SUPER CAB ONLY can have front leaf springs. Normally F250 4WD come with leaf spring front suspension.
Front clip and cab swap right over, but you have a SB and if you want to retain the SB you will have to shorten the LB frame and move the axle fwd.
78/79 F150 4wd SUPER CAB ONLY can have front leaf springs. Normally F250 4WD come with leaf spring front suspension.
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Joined: Jul 2005
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Maybe you should go with "S-cab" as the term?
I don't like to see Fords described as "Scabs"
Anyway, could you define the S-cab and C-cab? I know I should probably know this.
Fleet Owner
Joined: Dec 2009
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From: NorCal
I'm sure there is info on this swap. I'm considering installing 4x4 on my 1976 SC short bed. The man I bought my truck from has a complete 76 long wheel base 4x4 frame with 400 motor. He said my cab and bed will bolt right up. Not sure about that. I would have to do some measuring. And another thought is that I have seen some 78,79 4x4 trucks that has leaf springs in the front. Is that factory and where can I find that. Thanks for the help!
Hotshot
Joined: Feb 2004
Posts: 10,726
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From: The Shenandoah Valley
Looks like a long bed super cab was 155" which tells me the extension added 22" to wheelbase. The short bed versus long bed in a reg cab shows the short bed removes 16" Looks like then maybe a short bed super cab is net 6" longer wheel base than a long bed standard cab?
So will need to stretch the 4x4 frame or take into account when cobbling frames .... or take 6" out of front of his short bed? Looks like he'll need to shoot for a 139" wheelbase?
The Ford Truck & SUV Wheelbase Chart
Year Ford Trucks Wheelbase (+/- 0.5")
1973-1997 F-series long bed regular cab 133" (the 4x4 frame / running gear)
1973-1996 F-series short bed regular cab 117" (16" shorter due to short bed)
1978-1997 F-series long bed super cab 155" (22" longer due to ext cab)
1973-1996 F-series short bed regular cab 117" (16" shorter due to short bed)
1978-1997 F-series long bed super cab 155" (22" longer due to ext cab)
1997-2002 F-150 long bed regular cab 138.8"
1997-2002 F-150 short bed regular cab 120.2"
1997-2000 F-150 short bed super cab 138.8"
1997-2002 F-150 short bed regular cab 120.2"
1997-2000 F-150 short bed super cab 138.8"
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Freshman User
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From: North Little Rock
That's why I love these websites. So much information. The man told me that it was a 76 frame with a 400. I didn't know when the 400 came out. Mine does have 5 valve cover bolts so I've already learned something. When I bought the truck the gentlemen told me it was a 390. Could that still be correct? Or is it a 360? I know their in the sme family. I guess I've learned that the 4x4 swap won't be a unbolt/bolt on swap. But I still think it would look cool. So I think I'll just keep it the way it is. The last 5 # on the VIN is 04158. Looks like a low # to me. Right now I'm having trouble getting it to run smooth. Has a rough idle and lots of leaks. Found 3 spark plugs loose and 1 that the gap was shorted (not firing at all). New plugs and wires. It runs bette but still idles rough. Found loose exhaust bolts today. My hands haven't been this greasey in along time!!!!!
Love it. I'll get back on it tomorrow. Thanks for all the info and anymore knowledge you can spare. Thanks!
But I still think it would look cool. So I think I'll just keep it the way it is. The last 5 # on the VIN is 04158. Looks like a low # to me. Right now I'm having trouble getting it to run smooth. Has a rough idle and lots of leaks. Found 3 spark plugs loose and 1 that the gap was shorted (not firing at all). New plugs and wires. It runs bette but still idles rough. Found loose exhaust bolts today. My hands haven't been this greasey in along time!!!!! Love it. I'll get back on it tomorrow. Thanks for all the info and anymore knowledge you can spare. Thanks!
Ford Parts Specialist
Joined: Nov 2006
Posts: 88,826
Likes: 783
From: Simi Valley, CA
That's why I love these websites. So much information. The man told me that it was a 76 frame with a 400. I didn't know when the 400 came out.
Mine does have 5 valve cover bolts, so I've already learned something.
When I bought the truck the gentlemen told me it was a 390 (Uh huh...
) Could that still be correct? (I wouldn't bet on it) Or is it a 360?
Mine does have 5 valve cover bolts, so I've already learned something.
When I bought the truck the gentlemen told me it was a 390 (Uh huh...
) Could that still be correct? (I wouldn't bet on it) Or is it a 360?On sale day, 360's magically become 390's!
390's were not factory installed in 1968/76 F100/250 4WD's, only V8 available in these trucks: 360 2V
360/390 use the same block, the bore is the same (4.05"), the stroke is different.
Measure the stroke to determine engine size: 360: 3.50" ~ 390: 3.78."