I've been toying with the idea of doing a 4x4 conversion on my 82 f-150. I've seen a couple of ads in the classifieds for a 1980's 4x4 f-250 and a couple of big broncos for $300.

couple of questions:

Is the front end the same on all 1980's 4wd f-250, f-150 and bronco?
Is the rear end the same (In terms of leaf size and mounting)?
Are all broncos 4wd?

thanks

 

Go for an '80-'86 F-150 that has the same gears that yours has. It will be the easiest and most hassle free way.

 

what sort of hassles would I be into with the bronco? I plan on changing my rear end anyways. Right now I have 2.73's.

 

You will want to stay with a F150 or Bronco because the F250 and up run leaf springs up front. The 4x4's run 3" wide leaves, you could swap to the 3" wide units(I think that means frame brackets too) if you plan on lifting the truck, although, I think you can get lift springs in the 2.5" width anyway. If you are looking at swapping front and rear axles out of a donor vehicle, you shouldn't have to worry about gear ratios.
As for a 2wd Bronco, I don't think such an animal was built, I could be wrong though.
Evan
86 F250 HD XLT Lariat Explorer 4x4 ex. Extended Cab: 460 with factory 2.25" catless duals to the muffler(still running the stocker aaargh)
/T19(syncroed granny low)/BW 1345/3.55 geared Full Floater 10.25 and Dana 50 TTB/ 265/75R16 Hankook FR04's on 16x8 Whitespokes(street tires... Need mudders)
78 F150, 351M/C6, eventually to be repowered with a 400

 

>Is the front end the same on all 1980's 4wd f-250, f-150 and bronco?
No. '87 & early '88 use flange-style locking hubs, which are generally considered inferior. They're different from the spindles out, but everything else is interchangeable. Also, some axles had quad front shocks, which is desirable because you don't HAVE to install all 4, but it's nice to have the option, especially if you tow. Also, '93-96 Broncos have wheel speed sensors on the front wheels for their 4WABS. Those axles are the most expensive & rare. Heavier IFS trucks use the Dana50IFS which is leaf-sprung, but I think they can be easily converted to coils with 1/2 ton parts. They have more than 5 lugs, though.

>Is the rear end the same (In terms of leaf size and mounting)?
Yes. All F-150s & Broncos use either 9" or 8.8" axle, and they're identical with the exception of the ABS sensor on '87-up 8.8s. The 9" was discontinued in '87. Some axles have sway-bar brackets, which is also good for towing & handling. You can use an ABS rear axle on an earlier truck, but you can't put a NON-ABS axle under a '92-96 because the computer, cruise, & speedometer need it. On '87-91 trucks, deleting the ABS rear end will kill the ABS, but it's OK if you DON'T have the E4OD transmission. If you have that, you MUST have the ABS sensor.

>Are all Broncos 4wd?
Yes.

 

Unfortunatley, the D50 IFS can't easily beconverted to coils... I researched that in an effort to get more travel out of my front end... The housing is narrower where the spring sits on the leaf sprung ones, and would require a good bit of work to be coil friendly. I'm going to strip mine down to the main leaf to locate the axle, and a coilover to spring it... I want lots of travel...
Evan
86 F250 HD XLT Lariat Explorer 4x4 ex. Extended Cab: 460 with factory 2.25" catless duals to the muffler(still running the stocker aaargh)
/T19(syncroed granny low)/BW 1345/3.55 geared Full Floater 10.25 and Dana 50 TTB/ 265/75R16 Hankook FR04's on 16x8 Whitespokes(street tires... Need mudders)
78 F150, 351M/C6, eventually to be repowered with a 400

 

[updated:LAST EDITED ON 11-Nov-02 AT 09:16 AM (EST)] If you're gonna go through all that trouble, get a 70's Dana 44 setup w/ coil springs. Everything basically bolts up to the frame as long as you have a donor vehicle for the parts. Then, since you plan on changing the rear, if you get the donor vehicle w/ a 9" rear, swap it in, or just change your exsisting ring & pinion to match. the only other obstacle then is the steering box. you'd have to use an 80's 4WD box and arm.

 

Here's two different articles from the tech section of this site that may help you.

https://www.ford-trucks.com/articles/april2001/2x4_to_4x4_conversion.php

https://www.ford-trucks.com/articles/axle.php