2WD to 4wd
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Freshman User
Joined: Nov 2006
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From: Terre Haute
2WD to 4wd
I just purchased a 79 F250 cc, 2wd. I have front and rear 6o's from a 79 F350. From what I can gather by reading through some different postings, these will be pretty much a direct bolt in. Is this correct or am I just reading what I want to hear. I'm hoping to get started on my resto this summer if my son will let me put it out of commission for a couple years. He thinks it's ultra cool. Any advice will be appriciated.
Post Fiend
Joined: Sep 2006
Posts: 5,181
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From: Across from the neighbors
When going from 2wd to 4wd in a 73-79 truck nothing is a direct bolt in. You either need to A) find a 73-77 highboy adn snag the front spring mount under the bumper of B) fab up front spring mounts. Does your truck have 2 1/4" or 3" wide springs in the rear? This also creates a problem. Im bettin yours are the 2 1/4". Seems all 2wd crews have a highboy type frame. Its narrower in the rear. If you want 3" springs in the back they are longer adn use different mounts than the 2 1/4" springs. Unless you have a highboy to donate the suspension or alot of time on your hands its gonna be rough. Im in the process of this same thing on my 79 crew. I bought a $1500 parts truck to do it all right.
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Freshman User
Joined: Nov 2006
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From: Terre Haute
I measured frame width, both are 331/4" up front. So why couldn't I use all the front parts of the doner? The back of the cc is 34 compared to 35 on the 4x4. I do have 3" springs on the 4x4. Again, could I use all of the parts from the donor and just move the spring pads in 1/2" on each side. I'm sure I'll see the picture more clearly when I get the cc torn down and have both frames side by side. Just hoping to get some insight. Thanks to everyone for their input in advance.
Post Fiend
Joined: Sep 2006
Posts: 5,181
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From: Across from the neighbors
the front bumper on the crew has brackets holding it on correct? and the 4wd front bumper is bolted directly to the frame horns. They are the same width up front but they are made different. If you use 78/9 front spring mounts youll have to box the front of the frame rails whereas if you use the highboy ones you wont have to. Also your goin to have to figuer out steering. no steerin box from the 70s or any for that matter is a bolt in deal. Also youllhave to have at least 6" lift to clear the front 2wd crossmember. Im goin to cut the highboy front box section and crossmember and put it into my crew frame. Im a welder by trade so it doesnt bother me to do that. i would not suggest it to the average joe becaue i dont know about their welding experience. Its not as easy as everyone thinks it is. The crewcab 2wd frames are something of their own
Posting Guru
Joined: Feb 2008
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From: dayton ohio
hey jj what part of in are you from i got a 79 f150 4x4 almost complete that is going to the shredder after i get the tranny/tc and hood and race track trim off of. the frame might be what you need for the short box.
Postmaster
Joined: Aug 2000
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From: Eldorado Ca. USA
WHY are you going to crush that truck with the front axle in it?? That is a leaf sprung 5 lug dana 44. I demand that you take it out and sell it to me for $100!! That front grille looks pretty cherry as well, I might as well take that too. 
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From: dayton ohio
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Postmaster
Joined: Aug 2000
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From: Eldorado Ca. USA
I did not question why you are crushing the truck, imma wanting the front axle... I have a friend who is a trucker, makes shipping VERY affordable.
I am going to flag this post and the other so it will get merged into the crewcab only thread.
I am going to flag this post and the other so it will get merged into the crewcab only thread.
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Freshman User
Joined: Nov 2006
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From: Terre Haute
I appreciate all the info. I think if I want a 4x4 CC I will start with a 4x4 CC. I think I'll go back to my oringial plan on ressurrecting my F-350. Don't have the time or the money to do a 2wd cc as well. It does have a really good 460 in it, maybe I'll use that.
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