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Project Truck
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Project Truck
Starting a project to rebuild a '85/'86 4x4. Got a new body from another truck. The donor truck came from up north, so the body is trashed with rust. The frame has some light to moderate pitting, but overall, after a blast & coat, it will probably be ok. Thought about swapping everthing to the newer frame(which is from down south, so no rust). Looks like the donor rear end had 308 gears and a heavier spring set than the new ride. This truck will never see the highway, strictly off-road. Would it be better to swap the chunck & leave the lighter springs or swap everthing out? Got many more ? to come, so be patient.. Thanks!!!!!!!
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From: Northwest, Arkansas
"allen o" Welcome to the site and wonderful world of FTE. Try a search in the road & 4x4 section for some help and ideas on your off-road project. There are plenty around here that can give great advice too so stick around and someone will be along soon to throw in their 2-cents.
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This whole thing started with me looking for a replacement cab for the rotted cab on the 4x4. Wound up buying a complete truck minus the engine & tranny for 300$. Planned on swapping the 4x4 running gear to the newer body. The 4x4 had a 300I6, with a 4-speed granny. The newer truck had an automatic with a 302. The 4x4 has been stripped down to the chassis. Everthing is out of the cab, no glass just sheet metal. First out of the box, the springs on the 4x4 look heavier than the 4x2. Will the 4x2 spring set work?
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The trashed truck is a '85 4x4 with heavy rear springs with a 2" spacer(looks stock). The "good" truck is a '85 2 wheel drive with a lighter spring set than the other. The 4x4 has 3.08 gears in the rear, the 2 w/d has 3.55 gears. I have to pull the axles out of the 3.08 diff to change the backing plate, it's trashed with rust(the brake shoe pins are rotted off).
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How rusted are the brake lines and nuts and bolts underneath the frame?
How rusted are the gas lines?
Are you planning a complete strip down to the frame of the 4x4?
and replacing with the body of the 4x2?
Sound like your planning on fixing up the project 4x4 with parts off the 4x2.
What size of engine do you have planned for the project truck?
What the width of leaf springs for the 4x4 and 4x2?
Going to need a place to store the worn and rusted parts. When I fixed my truck up, I placed them in the truck bed I was going to use.
How rusted are the gas lines?
Are you planning a complete strip down to the frame of the 4x4?
and replacing with the body of the 4x2?
Sound like your planning on fixing up the project 4x4 with parts off the 4x2.
What size of engine do you have planned for the project truck?
What the width of leaf springs for the 4x4 and 4x2?
Going to need a place to store the worn and rusted parts. When I fixed my truck up, I placed them in the truck bed I was going to use.
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Brake lines, nuts bolts, etc are shot. The new truck is going to get the running gear, front & back, from the 4x4. The leaf springs on the 4x4 are 3" but the 4x2 are 2 1/2". Going to have to swap the spring perchs to accomodate the 4x4 springs...Or I could use the springs from the 4x2 and just bolt up the rear end from the 4x4..
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If you plan on making a 4x4, plan on using the frame, suspension, and chasis off the 4x4.
Converting a 4x2 frame & chasis, to 4x4 requires some metal work and custom brackets. It can be done and will take some time and plentiful of more parts.
I've seen, never built one, were they convert the front end to a solid axle, this also requires parts and some custom fabrications.
Converting a 4x2 frame & chasis, to 4x4 requires some metal work and custom brackets. It can be done and will take some time and plentiful of more parts.
I've seen, never built one, were they convert the front end to a solid axle, this also requires parts and some custom fabrications.
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Here some info on 4x2 to 4x4 conversion.
https://www.ford-trucks.com/article/..._F100150s.html
https://www.ford-trucks.com/article/..._F100150s.html
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Got the whole 4x4 stripped from the donor truck. Can of Kroil & the required sockets & it's no big deal. Now the fun starts to put it on the 4x2 chassis. Gonna change the rear spring perches to accept the 3" springs and bolt on the front drive axle. The whole cab is going to be gutted to have just a sheet metal dash with oil pressure, tach, water temp & alternator gauge. Rhino line the inside, etc. all on the drawing board. I'll send pictures as it goes along!!!
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