Looking for advice on adding 4x4 components to my existing driveline vs starting with an intact 4x4 frame and swapping my body and engine on to it. I’ve had some advice that’s its way easier to just swap frames, but I also want to keep my current engine. If anyone has had specific experience doing either of these and could help me decide which way to go it would be much appreciated. I am not sure which way to go on the project.




Currently my 76 camper special supercab is in great running shape. It’s a 460 c6 auto with good compression, Last winter I replaced the carb, water pump, all gaskets except head, rear main and oil pan, straight up timing set, and replaced anything rubber under the hood. Tuned and timed and it runs fantastic. I use it daily in summer to take my dog out to the beach and also use to occasionally pull my work trailer and to haul with.











I’d like to have 4x4, and I’ve been told that a front solid axle will bolt easily to the frame. Assuming I could find one that was compatible with my rear, as well as the steering setup, transfer case and driveshafts from the same wheel base, I’m thinking it should all bolt in, making adjustments for the steering, transfer case shifter and indicator light.




The other option is to use the complete intact driveline from a donor truck and swap my engine in and body on top. This actually might be less work considering any drive parts coming out to swap might need to be rebuilt. However if I pull my cab and bed I will want to fix some small rust and likely repaint it all.




The donor frame will likely be in worse shape than mine, need brake and fuel lines, fuel tanks, maybe wiring,and not have the heavier camper special rear end and Springs. I’d also be tempted to strip and paint the donor frame at that time as well.




I’ve posted a classified ad looking for intact drivelines and whole parts donor trucks, with very good responses. I’m heading home next week and will go check some of them out, but still not sure which way to go on this. I helped my dad do a 4x4 swap like this on a 2wd single cab dent about 25 years ago, and aside from locating and cutting the shifter hole I think it went off without too much trouble..




So anyone with experience doing one or the other I’d love to hear from you which way a person should go.

 

You just had to scroll down a few pages.

https://www.ford-trucks.com/forums/1...y-threads.html

Jess

 

Your easiest route would be to find a complete supercab 4x4 frame and refurbish that, then switch everything over.

There is more work involved in turning an existing frame into 4x4 than to simply do a 'body swap".

Complicating this is that you have a supercab, in which a lot of things are different than a regular cab drive line. I believe driveshaft length, transfer case mount, front steering geometry etc are all different from reg cab to supercab.

You also have the very awesome 460, which did not come in 4x4s until later generation. You would be fabricating a few things, and buying a bunch of things from L&L to install it. No biggie, lots of 4x4 guys here went 460 without issues.

That said, I'd I were you, I'd look for a 77.5 to 1979 4x4 supercab frame and build it from there. 77.5 to 79 because they came factory with the 351m 400 which shares a lot of the same dimensions and parts as the 460, making your "swap* much easier

Good luck