Two to Four Wheel Drive Conversion
Thread Starter
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Senior User
Joined: Feb 2004
Posts: 114
Likes: 0
From: Wildwood, Tx
Two to Four Wheel Drive Conversion
I just found this forum and have found lots of useful information so far, this is really great. So, on to my question to see if I can get even more help 
I have a 72 Ford long wheel base 2wd truck in really great shape. Also have a upper 70s Ford long wheel base 4wd truck thats all beat up and has leaf springs on the front, not coils. I want to take make my 72 a 4wd. Both trucks are auto trans. Just wondering if anyone has any suggestions on some problems I might run in to. I also want to put a lift on the truck when I do it to allow for 35" tires, and was wondering if I should buy new springs or what? Any help or suggestions would be appreciated.
Thanks
I have a 72 Ford long wheel base 2wd truck in really great shape. Also have a upper 70s Ford long wheel base 4wd truck thats all beat up and has leaf springs on the front, not coils. I want to take make my 72 a 4wd. Both trucks are auto trans. Just wondering if anyone has any suggestions on some problems I might run in to. I also want to put a lift on the truck when I do it to allow for 35" tires, and was wondering if I should buy new springs or what? Any help or suggestions would be appreciated.
Thanks
Post Fiend
Joined: Jul 2003
Posts: 11,945
Likes: 3
From: Spokane, WA
Welcome to FTE!
The 2wd to 4wd conversion has been covered many times. Try using the search function in the upper right hand corner of the screen to find recent posts about doing this. Pretty much any question you could have regarding the conversion can be found there.
The 2wd to 4wd conversion has been covered many times. Try using the search function in the upper right hand corner of the screen to find recent posts about doing this. Pretty much any question you could have regarding the conversion can be found there.
Thread Starter
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Senior User
Joined: Feb 2004
Posts: 114
Likes: 0
From: Wildwood, Tx
Cool, thanks for the reply. I checked out the searches and spent most of the day reading old posts on the subject. Lots of good info there but not everything I was looking for. I guess when I get more into the project i'll have more specific questions to ask for more specific answers. One thing i'm wondering right now is, should I keep the leaf springs on the front or try and convert to coil springs? And I guess I should change the gear ratio while I have it all torn apart, would 4.10 be good enough for normal driving with 35 tires? I also want lockers front and back for sure, any suggestions there?
Thanks
Thanks
Post Fiend
Joined: Jul 2003
Posts: 11,945
Likes: 3
From: Spokane, WA
Much of this depends on what you plan to use the truck for when it's all finished. I'm partial to leaf springs because they're simple, like me. And you won't have to screw around with rebuilding the whole front end of the truck. Coils will ride smoother though so that kind of depends on how picky you are there. 4.10 would be great for a 35" tire, lots of torque without too high an RPM on the highway. As far as lockers go there are tons of options so browse around the 4x4 forum and read on them. Most everyone loves Detroit but you also have the option of selectable lockers, spools, etc depending on what you're using for your truck.
A buddy of mine put a 66 2wd body on a 78 4x4 frame and it turned out awesome but he did have to shorten the frame a few inches to make it work. That will all depend on wheel base.
One thing I will say, do EVERYTHING YOU CAN on the frame before you put the body on. It's 10x easier to get it done when you're just working with a frame.
And you won't have to screw around with rebuilding the whole front end of the truck. Coils will ride smoother though so that kind of depends on how picky you are there. 4.10 would be great for a 35" tire, lots of torque without too high an RPM on the highway. As far as lockers go there are tons of options so browse around the 4x4 forum and read on them. Most everyone loves Detroit but you also have the option of selectable lockers, spools, etc depending on what you're using for your truck.A buddy of mine put a 66 2wd body on a 78 4x4 frame and it turned out awesome but he did have to shorten the frame a few inches to make it work. That will all depend on wheel base.
One thing I will say, do EVERYTHING YOU CAN on the frame before you put the body on. It's 10x easier to get it done when you're just working with a frame.
