4x4 vs. 4x2
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Junior User
Joined: Mar 2005
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From: Belleville, MI
4x4 vs. 4x2
Hi, I just bought a 69 F250 Camper Special over the weekend. It has a 360 and 4-speed, and sheetmetal is in pretty good shape. I got a good deal on it, so i bought it, though i really prefer something 4x4. Are the frames the same between 2 and 4 wheel drive on these trucks? I know the later 73-76 F250 4x4 frames are still prevalent in junkyards around here, so how hard is it to retrofit this set-up? Any and all advice would be appreciated.
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Joined: Dec 2003
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From: CHATSWORTH
4x2 frames are different than 4x4's up to 79' . I've seen them converted, but i imagine it would take alot of time and fabricating. 73-79 4x4 frames can be used,most everything bolts in the same place. 
Elder User
Joined: Sep 2003
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From: Portland, OR
73 to 77 4x4 frames are not wider. They are almost exactly identicle. You are far better off finding a 67-72 junker 4x4 though. There are a ton of other 4x4 specific parts beside just the frames like core supports which are very, very hard to find. Many 73-77 4x4 parts interchange, but some do not. You will need rear springs from a 67-72 4x4 if you use the later 73-77 frame. You will need to drill new holes for rear cab mounts in your 2wd cab unless it's a crewcab which were the same. I put a 70 F250 2wd on a 77 f250 4x4 frame. Wasn't too hard.
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Junior User
Joined: Mar 2005
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From: Belleville, MI
Why won't the rear springs from the later truck work, if i swap under a complete chassis? The cab will need some floor repair work, so it shouldn't be too big of a deal to fab up some rear mounts. Mine is a standard cab long bed. It's still on the 2wd frame now, i'm working on getting her running good. When i bought it, the timing chain had stretched out and jumped a tooth.
Elder User
Joined: Jul 2004
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From: Westminster, Colorado
Look for one of those yards where you can rent a space to park your truck....I've found tons of parts trucks in these places....where someone has parked it and forgotton about it...leave a note on the windshield and get my part...often they want to unload the whole truck for $500 or less, for parts.
Fleet Owner
Joined: Jun 1999
Posts: 24,552
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From: Creedmoor, North Carolina
J, Basically the answer to your question is YES. You can convert you 2wd to 4wd by swapping the sheetmetal onto the chassis. As to which is better someone else will have to recommend that.
Good luck
John
Good luck
John
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Junior User
Joined: Mar 2005
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From: Belleville, MI
I beleive I have located a later donor truck for my project. Found a '74 f250 4x4 thats been sitting out in a feild for some time. The land was for sale, so i called the real estate office to find out who owns it, and they told me it had been sold. Just so happens the guy who bought the land wanted to get rid of all the junk out in the woods and he was happy to help me load it onto the trailer.
So my next question is in regards to the transmission. The donor 4x4 frame has a c6, and my 69 has a 4 speed. I am leaning towards the use of the 4 speed, but i'm not sure what it would be like to take this truck off road... I know in some other cases 2wd transmissions are longer than 4wd, so is the 4 speed even an option here?
So my next question is in regards to the transmission. The donor 4x4 frame has a c6, and my 69 has a 4 speed. I am leaning towards the use of the 4 speed, but i'm not sure what it would be like to take this truck off road... I know in some other cases 2wd transmissions are longer than 4wd, so is the 4 speed even an option here?
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Senior User
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From: Tennessee
Originally Posted by averagef250
73 to 77 4x4 frames are not wider. They are almost exactly identicle. You are far better off finding a 67-72 junker 4x4 though. There are a ton of other 4x4 specific parts beside just the frames like core supports which are very, very hard to find. Many 73-77 4x4 parts interchange, but some do not. You will need rear springs from a 67-72 4x4 if you use the later 73-77 frame. You will need to drill new holes for rear cab mounts in your 2wd cab unless it's a crewcab which were the same. I put a 70 F250 2wd on a 77 f250 4x4 frame. Wasn't too hard.
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Joined: Feb 2005
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From: Puyallup WA.
The only difference between the 67-72 4X2 and 4X4 cabs are where the holes ore at in the floor. The 4X2 holes are on the inside of the frame, the 4X4 has the holes on the outside of the frame. the cabs are setup for either 4X2 or 4X4. You just have to drill the holes for the mounts and plug the old holes. If that 74 F250 is a High Boy then the frame is exactly the same as the 67-72 4X4 frame. As for the tranny, the manual tranny in the 4X4 was mated to a divorsed transfer case. It would be easier to take a look at a 67-72 4X4 to determine what other parts you are going to need. I know for shure you will need the short drive line that goes in between the tranny and t-case.
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