75 Crew Cab
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Cross-Country
Joined: Dec 2004
Posts: 67
Likes: 11
From: Union, WV
75 Crew Cab
Can anyone tell me what's involved with converting a 2wd crew cab (1975) to 4x4 using a highboy donor? It seems to me that it would be a big project, but that most things might interchange between the two frames?? I know this has been done, and that those involved probably have strong opinions about it.
Disclaimer: I've tried to search these forums but still come up short on any details (most posts just say "go search"). After the past hour (along with hours before) searching I've given up.
Thanks for any help or insight.
Disclaimer: I've tried to search these forums but still come up short on any details (most posts just say "go search"). After the past hour (along with hours before) searching I've given up.
Thanks for any help or insight.
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Quote:
Disclaimer: I've tried to search these forums but still come up short on any details (most posts just say "go search"). After the past hour (along with hours before) searching I've given up.
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If user's don't title their posts properly, it can be a nightmare finding something specific.
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Disclaimer: I've tried to search these forums but still come up short on any details (most posts just say "go search"). After the past hour (along with hours before) searching I've given up.
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
If user's don't title their posts properly, it can be a nightmare finding something specific.
Searching titles is many times faster & more reliable then searching the message box.
Fleet Mechanic
Joined: Feb 2002
Posts: 1,483
Likes: 273
From: Tulare U.S.A.
Im in the process of converting a 73 2wd crewcab to 4wd. The front cross members is the only diffrence. You have to cut the boxed part of the frame and the two front cross members from the doner high boy. Then cut the boxed part and front cross member from the 2wd crewcab and weld in the 4wd drive boxed part and cross member. The front most cross member will bolt in the second cross member will need to be welded. You will also need to mount the rear leif spring bushing mounts for the front leif spring the front mount is built into the front cross member . The only other thing you will need to do is the steering. Im going with a steering box from a 76-79 f150/bronco. It mounts on the out side of the frame and their are alot of them . Im going with a cross over steering set up. The easist way woud be to get a box off a 78-79 f250 4x4 but they are hard to find and expensive to buy also they mount on the inside of the frame and are harder to mount. Their is a guy that sels a kit on e-bay that uses a 2wd. steering gear that is adapted to work on a high boy that might be your best bet. I hope this helps
Leadmic
Leadmic
Last edited by leadmic; Jun 6, 2005 at 02:26 PM.
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Cross-Country
Joined: Feb 2002
Posts: 90
Likes: 1
easy swap
fomoco this is an easy swap on your truck the front spring hangers from your donor high boy from will bolt right up you just have to drill a few more holes. as for the steering i used a 78/79 box. i just fabricated a bracket to mount it inside the frame. i didnt touch any of the crossmembers. if you go to the crewcab website theres a guy on there named dangle( i think) that did the same convertion. i can send you some pics if you need them. hope this help,
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Thread Starter
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Cross-Country
Joined: Dec 2004
Posts: 67
Likes: 11
From: Union, WV
This totally helps, thanks! I knew this was the place to bring it up.
I was thinking that I wouldn't have to change much. It seems to me that the transfer case mounts should bolt right up, and adding the other driveshafts should be a snap. Of course that's just me thinking with no experience.
It's interesting that one says cut the frame and the other doesn't...Maybe you guys are talking about two different frame widths on the conversion?
I would take any and all pictures you could send me. I do have a lame dial-up connection - makes the searches that much worse.
I was thinking that I wouldn't have to change much. It seems to me that the transfer case mounts should bolt right up, and adding the other driveshafts should be a snap. Of course that's just me thinking with no experience.
It's interesting that one says cut the frame and the other doesn't...Maybe you guys are talking about two different frame widths on the conversion?
I would take any and all pictures you could send me. I do have a lame dial-up connection - makes the searches that much worse.
Fleet Mechanic
Joined: Feb 2002
Posts: 1,483
Likes: 273
From: Tulare U.S.A.
You probbly could do it without changing the crossmembers but then you would have a front sump oil pan. A front sump oil pan might be OK if your going to lift the heck out of it, but if your not planning on lifting it over stock high boy then where is the front diff. going to go when the springs compress? Ford changed cross members and went to a rear sump oil pan for a reason, and that reason is for a place for the front diff. to go when the suspension works. If you decide you might want to go with the two wheel drive crossmembers I woud mock the whole thing up and see how much room your going to have. One other thing if you use a 44 front end you will have more room but remember the 4x4 crewcabs used a 60 up front from the factory this is a heavy truck and I think thats why they came with the bigger front end.
I hope this helps
Leadmic
I hope this helps
Leadmic
Cross-Country
Joined: Feb 2002
Posts: 90
Likes: 1
front cross member
leadmic your right about needing a lift to clear the front crossmember. i had 8" springs made for mine so the crossmember to front axle clearance wasnt an issue. fomoco if your not going to lift it than you'll have to the replace the crossmembers. sorry if i mislead you. send me your e-mail address and i'll try to get some pics to you.
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