i have a 1970 F250 sport custom with a 302, and C6 automatic trans. its is currently 2wd, but i would love to make it 4x4. yes I know i will have to change out the whole front suspension and axle and all that. i would like to replace the engine, something bigger, I actually have a 390 in the garage, I might be getting a 350 also, a buddy is getting rid of one.... and would also like a manual trans. so I have a couple questions:

what engine do you reccomend?? 390 or 350?

any good manual transmissions out there?

a good transfer case??

what about front suspension, axle and all?? any reccomendations?? aftermarket?? I need a all around lift kit, any good ones?

what front axle should i look for?? from what truck???

last one: where can i get some of this stuff?? Iam thinking about a junk yard, or salvage yard??

any input would be appreciated! thanks

-brian

 

I'd go for the 350...the 390's were notorious for burning gas really badly

 

Did you mean to type 350? Are you going to install a G.M. engine?
The T-18 is a decent 4 speed that can be found and had for a reasonable amount of money, and the super low first gear is a fun one when you get the 4wd working / installed.
For the front suspension pieces and transfer case, you should find an axle and transfer case from a truck later than 76 so you can upgrade to power disc brakes while you are doing your conversion. Be on the lookout for a NP 205 transfer case. It was the strongest available case, and is very desireable.
Depending on how much you want to lift the truck will determine which kit, or springs that you look for.
Just so you know, the later 73-79 F-250 springs would be the easiest to install.
Spring hangers can be found from plenty of companies to make it a bolt in install.
99-04 Super Duty front springs just happen to be the same length, and these are used for the front of 73-79's too. Could even find a hanger kit for a super duty, and bolt it right to your frame, then bolt up some super duty springs and you could bolt up the axle right to it.
You are in for a great deal of work. First converting an auto to manual, then attempting a 4wd conversion. Plenty of work involved. Might be easiest to find a wrecked 4x4 with a manual trans. so you can rob all of the parts you are going to need. Pedals, linkage, crossmembers, shfters, shackle pivots, etc, etc, are all just examples of little things that will make the difference between a project that even gets finished or not.
Lost of trips to the wrecking yards can be eliminated by buying a complete truck, but those can be hard to find.
Good luck....

 

I'm in the process of doing this right now. Check out my last gallery, it's has out No. Calif chapter project Mudder truck in it. We also have a few threads in the No. Cal. chapter forum about it. I can go into more detail about the problems I've encountered thus far if you like...

 

No dont go for the 350 chev lol maybe a 351 but it depends what the truck is being used for like a toy weekend cruiser go for the 390 if you dont mind paying for gas more often

 

yea sorry guys i meant 351, hell no iam not using a chevy engine....chevy sucks monkey nuts! lol but i think i will go with the 390, knowing that i have one sitting in the garage. anyway thanks for all the input! iam lovin it! haha

 

Which 351 is it?

 

i was talking to him today, he said it is the "modified" 351.....he said it was NOT the windsor. so i dont really know.

 

351M...boat anchor material. Heavy, underpowered and oversmogged. You'd be better off with the 390 or staying with the 302.

If you were to find a 351W (which would be a good swap) it would bolt right in place of the 302. Not too hard to find a tranny/t-case for it as well.

 

The best way to do it and cheapest is to buy a 4x4, or you can use it for a donar. I've been trying to get sell of my '79 to someone that will finish it. 4x4 and a healthy 460 swap allready in it too, but I don't have the time to restore it anymore. I got it running great, and only have the cosmetics left. I noticed you live in CA too.

 

Careful there Chris...that could almost be selling in the forums...

I notice you're not a No. Calif. chapter member. You could join up and donate that '79 for our chapter Mudder project....

70F250, what part of the state do you hail from?

 

I wasn't selling, I was just informing about my future plans with my '79.

 

um haha well thats great. haha i live in southern cali. Redlands. close to the riverside area, iam about 30-40 minutes from the ontario airport.

 

Good to hear no chev engine 351W is a good motor i like em 351m is okay too i think but id go for the 390 no replacement for displacement