4X2 to 4X4
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From: waco
4X2 to 4X4
Just out of curiosity....How hard would it be to take the front axle out of one truck and put it under another to swap a 2 wheel drive over to a 4 wheel drive?
Both trucks are 82 model F250's with 400's. If it is possible....what all needs to be done?
Thanks a bunch,
Doc
Both trucks are 82 model F250's with 400's. If it is possible....what all needs to be done?
Thanks a bunch,
Doc
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Joined: Jul 2003
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From: Adams TN
The biggest thing will be the Leafsprings for the 4wd. You will have to grind the rivets off the brackets on the 4wd truck and measure and drill holes in the 2wd truck for the spring hangers.
That's the most with cutting, the rest is pretty much bolt in.
DT
That's the most with cutting, the rest is pretty much bolt in.
DT
More Turbo
Joined: Mar 2002
Posts: 508
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From: Easthampton, Ma.
The crossmembers where the pivot mounts bolt to on the 2wd are not recessed and drilled properly to accept the 4wd pivot mounts.
The front frame horns have a recess and a bracket mount for the front shackle.
The rear spring mount will have to be located and drilled.
Also because a 4wd leaf sprung F250-350 carries the weight differently then a 2wd coil sprung truck, therefore the front frame horns on the 4wd are almost "boxed" to carry the weight.
Look closely at the differences between the two. Especially the crossmember under the oil pan.
This is not a simple "bolt in"
Steve G.
The front frame horns have a recess and a bracket mount for the front shackle.
The rear spring mount will have to be located and drilled.
Also because a 4wd leaf sprung F250-350 carries the weight differently then a 2wd coil sprung truck, therefore the front frame horns on the 4wd are almost "boxed" to carry the weight.
Look closely at the differences between the two. Especially the crossmember under the oil pan.
This is not a simple "bolt in"
Steve G.
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well said 8lugs i tried this once before and four months later and a mono beam axle and srings from an 88 f 350 later i was done too much like work swapping out the engine xmember for me so my suggestion to you docholiday72x is dont try this if you need the truck for work. it may be just as simple to swap your engine or whatever to the 4x4 chassis
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Joined: Feb 2003
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From: Spokane WA
If it were a F150 it is a bolt in swap. The the F250's are so different between 4x2 and 4x4 that the swap is amost impossible
Your going to need a complete parts truck to do the swap anyways, so you'd be farther ahead by rebuilding the parts truck.
Your going to need a complete parts truck to do the swap anyways, so you'd be farther ahead by rebuilding the parts truck.
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From: Pacific Northwest
I converted my 1981 Bronco semi-Hotchkiss Dana 44 front end to monobeam Hotchkiss Dana 44 back in 1990 ... it took me 3-4 months of working every night during the week from 6-11pm to ger 'er done. If you think about it, converting a 4x2 to a 4x4 in the years Ford had the semi-IFS front end under the 4x4's is the same as converting a 4x2 with Ford's twin I-beam suspension up front. It is a LOT of work involving cutting, fabricating steering and other items, welding. The cross-member was hard and involved some ingenuity. I had to use Chevy front leaf springs converting the Bronco coils since they are about two inches shorter than ford's and just easier to put on. Even though I like what I got and use it as my daily driver still, I'm not sure I would ever repeat the experience. My wife was ready to divorce me I was gone so long from the family.
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