converting 85 2wd -> 4wd
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From: Canada
converting 85 2wd -> 4wd
i have an 85 f150 chasis wtih 5.0 aod. my work is ditching mid ninteys f250 4wd 5.8l engine, tranny, all driveline and susspension. I dont know what happend to the truck.. engine is reported to be blown though i will be talking to the mechanic about it next time i am at the shop. I know it is a lot of work but what kind of problems will i run into attempting to convert the truck. I know i will have to probably cut out the independant front end and build it up for the leaf springs, and possibly ajust for different wheelbases... build new enginemounts.?
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From: Pittsburgh
If the 351 in the 250 is blown, why not just swap in your 302? A motor swap is alot easier than pulling off the 4x4 conversion, especially trying to use 250 parts on a 150. BUT if you insist on doing it, it'll be easier to swap the entire leaf sprung supension from the 250 to the 150 than trying to make the stuff work w/coils. Then you'll also need to swap rear ends so you have 8 lugs all around.
Justin
Justin
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From: GANS
you don't want to swap in the leaf-sprung IFS. there is _no_ rhyme or reason to do that. And you'll be doing a lot of cutting and hacking to get it to fit in the f-150 frame.
I'm with hoxiii- swap in the 302.
I'm with hoxiii- swap in the 302.
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From: Pittsburgh
302 is a straight swap for the 351 mechanically.
On the front axle check out if it's a D50 or a 60. The 50 is a decent axle, but there is relatively little after market. If it's a D60 ****** it up.
Justin
On the front axle check out if it's a D50 or a 60. The 50 is a decent axle, but there is relatively little after market. If it's a D60 ****** it up.
Justin
Last edited by hoxiii; May 18, 2004 at 10:17 PM.
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From: Senoia, GA
on an 85 f150 there will be a D44 on a 85 f250 it will be D50 both will be ttb unless someone has swapped it out (not sure why). and yes it is worth the leaf sprung swap with the D50 cause later on when he decides the D60 sounds enticing it will bolt right in and he won't have to do hardly anything (easier than putting in a lift).
they did not put D60's in 3/4 tons in the late 90's...they were all ttb D50's. and most of the 1 tons were solid D60's but some did have the ttb!
the f150-f350 frames are all exactly the same so you won't be doing as much hacking and cutting as most ppl think. you run into problems when you go to coils or vice versa. also, all the holes for the ttb AND the trac bar for a solid axle should already be drilled in the motor crossmember. it is just a matter of botling it in.
but before i did any kind of swap, i would save my money and build the 351 up. you'd be surprised what you can do with it. if you are looking for a project then swap a 7.3L PSD with a ZF6 speed in the 250. that's what i have always wanted to do!
-cutts-
they did not put D60's in 3/4 tons in the late 90's...they were all ttb D50's. and most of the 1 tons were solid D60's but some did have the ttb!
the f150-f350 frames are all exactly the same so you won't be doing as much hacking and cutting as most ppl think. you run into problems when you go to coils or vice versa. also, all the holes for the ttb AND the trac bar for a solid axle should already be drilled in the motor crossmember. it is just a matter of botling it in.
but before i did any kind of swap, i would save my money and build the 351 up. you'd be surprised what you can do with it. if you are looking for a project then swap a 7.3L PSD with a ZF6 speed in the 250. that's what i have always wanted to do!
-cutts-
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the parts are from a mid 90s 250. I did not get to the shop to look at them more today, but depending on price ill probably grab them anyways.
plan: see which tranny is in better shape. install 4x4. run with the 302 untill the 351 is properly rebuilt and tunned. if once i get everything it looks like it will all fit ill probably start out with a little lift. if it looks like i will have problems then ill just build it stock height, no need to sink more money than nessisary before i know it will all work.
plan: see which tranny is in better shape. install 4x4. run with the 302 untill the 351 is properly rebuilt and tunned. if once i get everything it looks like it will all fit ill probably start out with a little lift. if it looks like i will have problems then ill just build it stock height, no need to sink more money than nessisary before i know it will all work.
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From: Chatsworth, CA
Originally Posted by fishmanndotcom
the f150-f350 frames are all exactly the same so you won't be doing as much hacking and cutting as most ppl think.
-cutts-
-cutts-
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From: GANS
only a little more boxed up front by motor support..
f-250HD and f-350 frames are the same.. F-250LD might be the same too, but I've never seen one.
f-150 frames (2wd&4wd) have the same mounts as the 2WD F-250&F-350. The F-250&F-350 have thicker frame rails..
And, you are _not_ going to find track bar/leaf spring holes on F-150s, cause they don't have them.. only on 4x4 F-250 & 350s have that junk.
and by the way:
NOT ALL F-250s HAVE DANA 50TTBs. IN FACT, MOST OF THEM HAVE DANA 44TTBs.
that goes for 80-97. You could get either, but it depends on your GWVR and if the original owner ordered it with a plow / towing package.
f-250HD and f-350 frames are the same.. F-250LD might be the same too, but I've never seen one.
f-150 frames (2wd&4wd) have the same mounts as the 2WD F-250&F-350. The F-250&F-350 have thicker frame rails..
And, you are _not_ going to find track bar/leaf spring holes on F-150s, cause they don't have them.. only on 4x4 F-250 & 350s have that junk.
and by the way:
NOT ALL F-250s HAVE DANA 50TTBs. IN FACT, MOST OF THEM HAVE DANA 44TTBs.
that goes for 80-97. You could get either, but it depends on your GWVR and if the original owner ordered it with a plow / towing package.
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From: Senoia, GA
i had trac bar/leaf spring holes in the frame of my 93 f-150! i dunno maybe someone put them there but i doubt it! and all the 250's I have seen (quite a few in the j-yards) have been D50's! i haven't called ford or anything but seems to me that they would put a D50 in a 3/4 and leave the D44 for the 1/2 tons.
-cutts-
-cutts-
