Notices
Offroad & 4x4
Sponsored by:
Sponsored by:

MAJOR swap

Thread Tools
 
Search this Thread
 
Old Sep 10, 2006 | 11:13 PM
  #1  
78'fordman's Avatar
78'fordman
Thread Starter
|
Junior User
Joined: Sep 2003
Posts: 59
Likes: 0
MAJOR swap

hey guys first off i have a 1978 F-100 2wd. It came with a 300 and a 3 speed manual. so far i have changed the rearend to a 9 inch with a spool. changed the drive shaft to a slip yoke. and the biggest change is i have changed the transmission to C-6 backed by a np 208 transfer case. i have put a 3 inch body lift on it and a custom steering shaft. i have 36x 12.5x 16.5 goodyear wrangler R-T II. my donor truck is a 1983 f-150 4x4 with a 351 windsor. my major question is will the front suspension go under my f-100? i know that on my f100 the steering knuckles tie rod end etc. are on the back side and on my f-150 they are on the front. i guess while im at it ill change it over to power steering. that help me out alot with steering. although i have to say that the manual box has held up good under some pretty harsh pounding. well if anyboy can help me out with any of these question or if tehy would like to see pics of my project so far just let me know. thaks guys
 
Reply
Old Sep 11, 2006 | 04:14 PM
  #2  
Jmudder79's Avatar
Jmudder79
Elder User
Joined: Feb 2006
Posts: 694
Likes: 1
From: New Gretna, New Jersey
Whats your goal here? To make your truck from 2wd to 4wd? It would be alot easier to just buy a 4 wheel drive truck. The 83 has a completely different front suspension then the 78 4x4's did. MOre trouble than its worth IMHO.
 
Reply
Old Sep 11, 2006 | 05:33 PM
  #3  
big hoss 29's Avatar
big hoss 29
Posting Guru
Joined: May 2004
Posts: 2,223
Likes: 2
From: Billings Montana
If you're trying to swap your truck to 4x4, most people swap the IFS on 80-96 trucks for a solid axle set-up. Just throwing parts on a truck because you have them lying around is a nightmare and it takes more fabrication then you can imagine.

Save the money, and potential headache's and buy a donor truck that's the same year as yours so it's just a bolt in swap.
 
Reply
Old Sep 12, 2006 | 12:35 AM
  #4  
78'fordman's Avatar
78'fordman
Thread Starter
|
Junior User
Joined: Sep 2003
Posts: 59
Likes: 0
yeah my goal is to make it a 4x4. i dont want sumthign everyone else has. im mena think about it how many times have u seen a 78 with ttb 4x4 set up? my fab skills are more than up to par for this swap. i just wanted alittle info b4 i pushd on wiht my swap. another reason i wanted to keep the ttb is because i think it has a better ride to it than a solid axle
 
Reply
Old Sep 12, 2006 | 01:02 AM
  #5  
big hoss 29's Avatar
big hoss 29
Posting Guru
Joined: May 2004
Posts: 2,223
Likes: 2
From: Billings Montana
Well, IMHO, putting TTB in a 78 Ford would be like putting a turd on your finest China and serving it for dinner. A nice package, but it's still poo!
 
Reply
Old Sep 12, 2006 | 01:04 AM
  #6  
78'fordman's Avatar
78'fordman
Thread Starter
|
Junior User
Joined: Sep 2003
Posts: 59
Likes: 0
well what would be invovled in switching to a solid axle? and which axle should i use? i want to be able to thrash it but it hold up for a daily driver
 
Reply
Old Sep 12, 2006 | 06:13 AM
  #7  
chrono4's Avatar
chrono4
Post Fiend
Joined: Jan 2004
Posts: 5,377
Likes: 2
From: Elkhart IN
well, if you want to be able to thrash on it, the ttb is not what you want.
 
Reply
Old Sep 13, 2006 | 06:09 PM
  #8  
Jmudder79's Avatar
Jmudder79
Elder User
Joined: Feb 2006
Posts: 694
Likes: 1
From: New Gretna, New Jersey
Originally Posted by 78'fordman
how many times have u seen a 78 with ttb 4x4 set up?
None.

There is a reason for that.
 
Reply
FTE Stories

Ford Trucks for Ford Truck Enthusiasts

story-0

This Hennessey Takes the Expedition Tremor's Off-Roading Capability to the Next Level

 Verdad Gallardo
story-1

Top 10 Fords at 2026 Carlisle Ford Nationals

 Joe Kucinski
story-2

3 Best / 3 Worst Parts of Modern Ford Ownership

 Brett Foote
story-3

10 Amazing Upgrades That Solve Common Ford Truck Owner Headaches

 Pouria Savadkouei
story-4

Every 2026 Ford Engine Explained

 Brett Foote
story-5

10 Ugly Ford Trucks That We Still Kinda Love

 Joe Kucinski
story-6

10 Things Every Truck Owner NEEDS (2026 Edition)

 Michael S. Palmer
story-7

Rezvani's Latest Post-Apocalyptic Monster Is a Ford F-150 Raptor Underneath

 Verdad Gallardo
story-8

Top 10 Most Expensive Ford Trucks Ever Sold on Bring a Trailer

 Joe Kucinski
story-9

2027 Ford Super Duty Buyer's Guide (Every Model, Engine, & Package)

 Brett Foote
Old Sep 13, 2006 | 06:12 PM
  #9  
andym's Avatar
andym
Post Fiend
20 Year Member
Photogenic
Photoriffic
Shutterbug
Joined: Mar 2002
Posts: 19,402
Likes: 38
From: Bonita Springs FL
Why's everyone always dissin' the TTB?
 
Reply
Old Sep 13, 2006 | 06:23 PM
  #10  
chrono4's Avatar
chrono4
Post Fiend
Joined: Jan 2004
Posts: 5,377
Likes: 2
From: Elkhart IN
because imo under any kind of abuse, it wont hold a alignment, even though its the same thing as a s.a. 44 except for one extra u joint just seems weaker over all. Its a pain to lift and keep the frame from cracking at the drop pivots.
 
Reply
Related Topics
Thread
Thread Starter
Forum
Replies
Last Post
hivoltj
1973 - 1979 F-100 & Larger F-Series Trucks
5
Sep 13, 2012 02:24 PM
dylan1952
1948 - 1956 F1, F100 & Larger F-Series Trucks
1
Jul 22, 2010 09:30 PM
willburrrr2003
1973 - 1979 F-100 & Larger F-Series Trucks
2
Jun 30, 2010 03:10 PM
elyons
1948 - 1956 F1, F100 & Larger F-Series Trucks
1
Mar 23, 2001 01:23 AM




All times are GMT -5. The time now is 01:10 PM.

story-0
This Hennessey Takes the Expedition Tremor's Off-Roading Capability to the Next Level

Slideshow: The VelociRaptor Expedition gains a lift, upgraded suspension, Brembo brakes, and trail-ready equipment while retaining the stock 440-horsepower EcoBoost V6.

By Verdad Gallardo | 2026-06-12 11:01:55


VIEW MORE
story-1
Top 10 Fords at 2026 Carlisle Ford Nationals

Slideshow: Top 10 Fords at 2026 Ford Nationals

By Joe Kucinski | 2026-06-09 11:10:08


VIEW MORE
story-2
3 Best / 3 Worst Parts of Modern Ford Ownership

Based on years of owning multiple modern Ford products.

By Brett Foote | 2026-06-09 10:53:36


VIEW MORE
story-3
10 Amazing Upgrades That Solve Common Ford Truck Owner Headaches

SPONSORED: From muddy boots to rain-soaked cargo, these upgrades address some of the most common frustrations Ford truck owners face every day.

By Pouria Savadkouei | 2026-06-08 18:50:34


VIEW MORE
story-4
Every 2026 Ford Engine Explained

Here's everything you need to know about every Ford engine available for the 2026 model year.

By Brett Foote | 2026-06-05 12:58:01


VIEW MORE
story-5
10 Ugly Ford Trucks That We Still Kinda Love

Slideshow: 10 ugly Ford trucks that we still kinda love.

By Joe Kucinski | 2026-06-03 09:51:16


VIEW MORE
story-6
10 Things Every Truck Owner NEEDS (2026 Edition)

Slideshow: the best gifts for dads & grads

By Michael S. Palmer | 2026-06-03 15:43:58


VIEW MORE
story-7
Rezvani's Latest Post-Apocalyptic Monster Is a Ford F-150 Raptor Underneath

Slideshow: Called the Fortress, the 850-horsepower pickup combines Raptor underpinnings with military-inspired features, survival equipment, and a starting price of $285,000.

By Verdad Gallardo | 2026-06-03 11:38:36


VIEW MORE
story-8
Top 10 Most Expensive Ford Trucks Ever Sold on Bring a Trailer

Slideshow: 10 most expensive Ford trucks ever sold on Bring a Trailer.

By Joe Kucinski | 2026-05-27 16:24:34


VIEW MORE
story-9
2027 Ford Super Duty Buyer's Guide (Every Model, Engine, & Package)

Here's everything that has changed for the latest model year.

By Brett Foote | 2026-05-27 16:17:28


VIEW MORE