need 4x4 pictures
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Senior User
Joined: May 2000
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From: wi
need 4x4 pictures
i just brought my 78 f150 2wd home. the truck is a 78 f150 super cab short bed with 75k on the clock.the truck has a 71 429 in it but was a 460 originally.now i dont need another 2 wd truck cause i have a95 psd. and i dont need a hot rod i havea 70 merc for that. i need a 4x4 so i am
starting to lay out a plan on how to convert it to 4wd. i have a chance to get a 78 bronco for parts. but it is 200 miles away. i know this is not a simple project but i have the skills and equipment to do it. i know the 2wd have the tie rods and steering box are aft of the axle. not the case on fwd.what i would really like is some detailed pics of the bronco front axle assm. could you email them to me . thanks jack k
starting to lay out a plan on how to convert it to 4wd. i have a chance to get a 78 bronco for parts. but it is 200 miles away. i know this is not a simple project but i have the skills and equipment to do it. i know the 2wd have the tie rods and steering box are aft of the axle. not the case on fwd.what i would really like is some detailed pics of the bronco front axle assm. could you email them to me . thanks jack k
Post Fiend
Joined: May 2004
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From: St George, SC I-95
spoiler,
I am currently doing a little resto work on my 79 150 4x4. Ill take some pics and email them to you tomorrow. I considered this also on one of my other trucks and Im sure you know it will be a good deal of work. My suggestion would be take the fenders/hood off for a much easier work area and completely strip the front end of the frame. Basically I think everything should be removed that was once a part of the 2wd truck and then everything from the bronco swapped in. I think that would be the less hair pulling wrench throwing strangle your buddy with a shop towel method. my .02
PS Make sure you get the center hump cover on the floorboard and the steering shaft that connects to the box. besides the obvious ie front axle and xcase
I am currently doing a little resto work on my 79 150 4x4. Ill take some pics and email them to you tomorrow. I considered this also on one of my other trucks and Im sure you know it will be a good deal of work. My suggestion would be take the fenders/hood off for a much easier work area and completely strip the front end of the frame. Basically I think everything should be removed that was once a part of the 2wd truck and then everything from the bronco swapped in. I think that would be the less hair pulling wrench throwing strangle your buddy with a shop towel method. my .02
PS Make sure you get the center hump cover on the floorboard and the steering shaft that connects to the box. besides the obvious ie front axle and xcase
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Senior User
Joined: May 2000
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From: wi
not 100% about doing this but i really am leaning that way. i really would appreciate the PICS when you get them. i know it will be a great deal of work. and a great deal of fabricating. but the truck is pretty decent. and worth it. jack k
Post Fiend
Joined: May 2004
Posts: 5,277
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From: St George, SC I-95
Spoiler,
I actually dont think it will be as much fabricating as it would be drilling holes in the frame. Actaully many of the holes might already be there. If you have all the parts off of the bronco I actually cant think of anything you would have to "make" I would suggest considering boxing the frame for added strength but its not manditory. Please correct me if Im wrong anyone.
I actually dont think it will be as much fabricating as it would be drilling holes in the frame. Actaully many of the holes might already be there. If you have all the parts off of the bronco I actually cant think of anything you would have to "make" I would suggest considering boxing the frame for added strength but its not manditory. Please correct me if Im wrong anyone.
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Senior User
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From: wi
i have been told by a few that the frames are different. i find this hard to believe. i would have to think its pretty much a bolt in job but may be wrong. there will be many items that may need to be address. i am not sure whatthe bronc have for a t case i hope it is a 205 but the guy has a whole truck load of parts from the one he scrapped out. the trans in the 2wd was rebuilt wich i am planning having to swap out. the driveshaft will need to be shortened ect... i also will need to find one more bfg mud terrain in 33x9x15. these were discontinued a few years back.
Laughing Gas
Joined: Jan 2003
Posts: 1,019
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From: Georgetown, Ky
Its a pretty straight forward swap. there is a member from another web forum, that i am active on, that i cant mention here, so drop me a PM w/ ur email address and ill send you a link. He did it in his driveway, with lots of photos and info.
Senior User
Joined: Oct 2005
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The frames are totally different. The cross member under the motor is different, the left frame rail is different, and they use different motor mounting systems. All these things can be overcome, but it will NOT be a simple swap parts conversion. The main issue is boxing the frame in front of the axle to put on the 4x4 steering sector. The cross member on the 2wd truck will hit the center section of the front axle. There are other issues too, like shocks and stuff. Do a search, you will find all kinds of info.
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Laughing Gas
Joined: Jan 2003
Posts: 1,019
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From: Georgetown, Ky
not to argue but the motor mounting isnt different. and why would you have to box the frame for the steering box? my 75 isnt boxed. If he gets a donor truck he can swap everything over, even the crossmember if needed. Just lift the truck high enuff and there wont be any clearance issues! On the truck I mentioned above, I went and looked thru his pictures, he ended up drilling two holes to mount the rear of the leaf springs and one or two bolt holes for the front mounts. and a hole for the steering box.
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Thread Starter
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Senior User
Joined: May 2000
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From: wi
i hope my email went tru to you. the info you sent me didnt work. my email is merc70429 and i am on aol,com (get the idea). a lot of people have ideas but the guys who have done it have first hand info. not to discredit anyone, but any input is taken into account. pics at this time would be great to compare.i really have doubts about the cross meber being different. when iahd my 79 bronc i was going to put in a 429 ihave and guys said i needed a rear sump pan. when i measured it up the pan would fit perfect. matter a fact i believe the original pan is in the 79 460 truck i have now is front sump and has 1 inch of clearence on the bottom. many theories and many ways to overcome. jack k
Postmaster
Joined: Apr 2003
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From: Virginia Beach
This is a subject that has been discussed at great length here. The front of the frames are totally different. The "easiest" way to convert to 4x4 is to either find a 4x4 frame and swap everything, or chop the front of your 2wd and splice the 4x4 front end in. That takes some seriously expert welding to do right and safetly, but it really is only 2 cuts/welds. I have seen conversions on Ebay, and they were true hack jobs.
If you want pictures, look at my galleries. The 78 build up, and 78 tear down have plenty of pictures. If you need more, the frame is sitting beside my house with the front axle slung under it, and I can get more pictures for you
tear down
https://www.ford-trucks.com/user_gal...&albumid=15835
build up
https://www.ford-trucks.com/user_gal...&albumid=16732
If you want pictures, look at my galleries. The 78 build up, and 78 tear down have plenty of pictures. If you need more, the frame is sitting beside my house with the front axle slung under it, and I can get more pictures for you
tear down
https://www.ford-trucks.com/user_gal...&albumid=15835
build up
https://www.ford-trucks.com/user_gal...&albumid=16732
Last edited by Franken-Truck; Nov 13, 2005 at 09:52 PM.
Senior User
Joined: Oct 2005
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Originally Posted by Franken-Truck
This is a subject that has been discussed at great length here. The front of the frames are totally different. The "easiest" way to convert to 4x4 is to either find a 4x4 frame and swap everything, or chop the front of your 2wd and splice the 4x4 front end in. That takes some seriously expert welding to do right and safetly, but it really is only 2 cuts/welds. I have seen conversions on Ebay, and they were true hack jobs.
If you want pictures, look at my galleries. The 78 build up, and 78 tear down have plenty of pictures. If you need more, the frame is sitting beside my house with the front axle slung under it, and I can get more pictures for you
tear down
https://www.ford-trucks.com/user_gal...&albumid=15835
build up
https://www.ford-trucks.com/user_gal...&albumid=16732
If you want pictures, look at my galleries. The 78 build up, and 78 tear down have plenty of pictures. If you need more, the frame is sitting beside my house with the front axle slung under it, and I can get more pictures for you
tear down
https://www.ford-trucks.com/user_gal...&albumid=15835
build up
https://www.ford-trucks.com/user_gal...&albumid=16732
Logistics Pro
Joined: Aug 2003
Posts: 4,701
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I converted mine using a new (4x4) frame. There is a guy here that converted his using a bronco axle, 8 lug outers, and his 2wd frame. They sit the same height, and look the same, but have 2 different methods of converting them. I would say take the bronco and swap the parts to the 2wd frame.
Senior User
Joined: Feb 2003
Posts: 277
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Franken truck has a good picture of the different motor mount system - on the 4x4 frame the mounts are directly to the frame (see the red motor mounts on his build up gallery). The 2wd mounts actually make connection with the front crossmember on the 2wd frame.
Senior User
Joined: Oct 2005
Posts: 238
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Originally Posted by 70spoiler
i hope my email went tru to you. the info you sent me didnt work. my email is merc70429 and i am on aol,com (get the idea). a lot of people have ideas but the guys who have done it have first hand info. not to discredit anyone, but any input is taken into account. pics at this time would be great to compare.i really have doubts about the cross meber being different. when iahd my 79 bronc i was going to put in a 429 ihave and guys said i needed a rear sump pan. when i measured it up the pan would fit perfect. matter a fact i believe the original pan is in the 79 460 truck i have now is front sump and has 1 inch of clearence on the bottom. many theories and many ways to overcome. jack k