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Old Mar 1, 2004 | 07:35 PM
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Question 4x4 conversion

hey
i have a 1979 f-150 daytona 500 edition. it has the 302 with a auto trans. i was wondering if they made a 4x4 conversion kit for this truck because lifting a 2wd truck is pretty pointless. thanks alot
 
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Old Mar 1, 2004 | 08:15 PM
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From: Jefferson, Iowa
a 4x4 conversion costs more than just buying another 4x4 truck, i think that would be the better route.
 
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Old Mar 1, 2004 | 08:41 PM
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The only reasonable way to convert a 79-earlier truck to 4wd is buy a rusted/wrecked parts truck and swap bodies.
 
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Old Mar 2, 2004 | 12:17 AM
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From: Santa Barbara
Are you sure you don't mean Indy 500 edition?

I've seen a 2WD to 4WD conversion done on a '90 Dodge truck where the owner had an ultra low mileage Cummins diesel that he wanted to keep. I can tell that was a heck of a lot of work, and this was a mechanic doing it at his own business. There were a lot of unexpected differences that cropped up and the only non-swapped parts in the drivetrain were the rear axle and the engine. There was alot of cutting and welding done for the front suspension, too. Even though this was a Dodge, I would expect a Ford to be just as hard.
 
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Old Mar 2, 2004 | 02:12 PM
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From: NJ ... the garbage state
if you had a front axle with all the brackets, and tranny t-case and driveshafts .. i dont see where the extreme difficulty comes in. a bracket needs to be arranged for for the track bar would be the hardest part i would think?
 
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Old Mar 2, 2004 | 03:07 PM
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From: spartanburg, SC
"i dont see where the extreme difficulty comes in"
the front frame rails are different and don't enterchange. thats why you don't see what the difficulty is.
 
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Old Mar 2, 2004 | 03:21 PM
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From: NJ ... the garbage state
Ahh, that would make it difficult. i have never worked on a 2wd ... just ***-u-me-d it was the same. now i learned my knowledge for the day. i knew i would be enlightened for making a comment ...
 
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Old Mar 2, 2004 | 03:30 PM
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The mechanic I spoke of didn't think it would be that hard, either. I wouldn't call it extreme difficulty. It's just not the bolt in affair it may first appear. Of course remember, I was talking about a Dodge and not a Ford.
 
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Old Mar 2, 2004 | 08:19 PM
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The frame rails are not diffrent but all the cross members are and they are welded in . Their was an artical in 4wheeler mag about 10 yrs ago where they had a cherry 78 supercab 2wheel drive and wanted to make it 4wheel drive. They collected all the crossmembers and front end parts fom a doner 4wheel drive and converted it. It was alot of work but it did make for a nice truck when it was done. Hope this helps
Leadmic
 
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Old Mar 2, 2004 | 11:26 PM
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I think I would sell the 2x4 and go shopping for a 4x4. Muuuuuuuuuuuch cheaper, easier, and quicker.

If the truck you have now is special somehow, ie. collector(daytona 500), you would devalue it by modifying it.

My 2.035 cents
 
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Old Mar 3, 2004 | 08:29 PM
  #11  
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If it was me I would do a body swap. I would put the body on a 73 to early 77 highboy f 250 frame
 
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Old Mar 5, 2004 | 11:34 PM
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Its not impossible if you have time and the fab skills. I did mine myself and Im definitely not an engineer or a "master fabricator".
I think patience and a empty garage are critical!!!!
 
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