Frame!!!!!
Frame!!!!!
Postmaster
Joined: Feb 2003
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From: Muskegon, MI (home)
Are you asking if the components from the 1980 frame fit your 83 frame? Yes they will, there is basically no difference in 1/2 ton 2wd or 4wd F150 frames from 1980 though 1996. However the 92 and newer frames had crumple zones in the front. Some 82 and older trucks had "swiss cheese" frames, in other words large holes were punched out of the frame rails... mainly in the rear section. I have heard these were weaker than the other frames, but I personally haven't heard of any major problems.
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From: Virginia
If you are going to swap the 4x4 components on the 2x4 frame, you will have to drill the spring hanger rivets out and swap the spring hangers. The 4x4 rear spring is 3 inches wide, the 2x4 is 2.5 inches wide. But you could also stay with the 2.5 inch spring if you wanted.
Postmaster
Joined: Feb 2003
Posts: 3,441
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From: Muskegon, MI (home)
Originally Posted by xpl951
what about hte front diff? My truck the 83 4x4 is IFS. will the make the job harder?
Senior User
Joined: Feb 2004
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From: RI
Make sure to take the transmission crossmember and gussets from the 4x4 to put on the 4x2 frame. The 4x4 crossmember is shaped so that the front driveshaft clears it, and the gussets (the support pieces that go from the top of the frame rail to the crossmember) from a 4x2 won't fit with that crossmember. I believe some have just notched the 4x2 crossmember instead, but I'm not sure how they found the results.
All those pieces are just bolted on, no rivets to drill out.
All those pieces are just bolted on, no rivets to drill out.
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good news....welll for me!
the donor truck is already 4X4! and has a 351. so my new ? is how hard is it going to be to switch my 300 to it?
the donor truck is already 4X4! and has a 351. so my new ? is how hard is it going to be to switch my 300 to it?
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From: Virginia
If it's an original 1980 351, I am going to assume it's a 351m. If so, you will have to take the whole engine and tranny/transfer case out of your truck and put it in the other, because the 351m bellhousing is different. If it was a 351w, the 300 bellhousing would match.
In any case, you are going to have to take both engines out at the same time and set them aside. The reason is you are going to have to grind and drill out the rivets on both engine frame brackets, and install the six cylinder brackets where the v8 brackets were. Then the six will fit.
In any case, you are going to have to take both engines out at the same time and set them aside. The reason is you are going to have to grind and drill out the rivets on both engine frame brackets, and install the six cylinder brackets where the v8 brackets were. Then the six will fit.
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I am buying it off ebay
http://cgi.ebay.com/ebaymotors/ws/eB...191205506&rd=1
so I wont be able to tell till pickup.
Will the tcase and drive shafts be the same? and did that year have a dana 44 ifs? of solid???
http://cgi.ebay.com/ebaymotors/ws/eB...191205506&rd=1
so I wont be able to tell till pickup.
Will the tcase and drive shafts be the same? and did that year have a dana 44 ifs? of solid???
