2wd to 4wd conversion and restoration

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Mar 2, 2019 | 08:10 PM

littlearly arlington

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Joined: Mar 2019

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2wd to 4wd conversion and restoration

I currently own a 1978 f150 2wd with the 351m and a borg warner 4 speed manual. the truck is is rough shape and my original plan was to do a restoration from the frame up. I was then looking on craigslist and found a 4x4 frame that just needed a body. my problem is that the 4wd frame which has a dana 44 front end, has a rear end but it is just a shell. can i swap my 2wd rear end into a 4wd? they are both ford 9in rear ends.

Mar 2, 2019 | 08:34 PM

keithbutts

Mountain Pass

Joined: Feb 2018

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From: damascus

I don't know about these years but I know with the latter years meaning 80-97, the 2wd's have narrower leafs in the rear then of those that were in the 4wd's. Now they could be the same width in 78 ford 2wd or 4wd I don't know for sure. But why don't you buy a 44 front, different trans, and transfer case and just go from there?

Mar 2, 2019 | 09:28 PM

fordguy2100

Cargo Master

Joined: Jun 2015

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Quote:

Originally Posted by littlearly arlington

Need to know what the donor 4x4 frame is from. If it's a highboy the rear half of the frame is narrower (under the bed) so you will have to still new bed holes and the spring perches aren't the same width either so you will need to move the welded mounting brackets on the axle.

Now if it's not a Highboy (77.5-79) 4x4 or if it's a f150 4x4 you should be good to go. And I believe you can swap the rear axles with no problem.

You could always take your 2wd internals and swap them into the 4x4 rear shell if it is a Highboy frame.

Of course some more knowledgeable folk will be along soon to give you more detail