I just posted this on the 67-72 Truck forum, when I reallized I should be looking at this forum.

I am wanting to dump 24grand/10=2400 into a top quality rebuild of my FE390 engine. I am the second owner of this 72 F250 and have had it ever since 1976. I would have always preferred to have it 4WD but alas it is 2WD. One of the reasons I am keeping the truck is for sentimental reasons. I am wondering what it would take to convert to 4WD? I did a search and couldn't come up with any info. I was pretty sure I had seen this discussed here before.
By the way, how good were the 4WDs back in 72 compared with later years?
Thanks.
Joe

I will now do the search on this forum. Thanks.
Joe

 

I have done a search and do not find a conversion discussed for that vintage. I did see one part of a thread that suggested the twin I beam setup might be tougher. Cost effective?
Thanks.
Joe

 

Probably the easiest way to make your truck a 4x4 would be to find a 70s F250 or F350 4x4 and take all the front suspension and axle components and put them into yours. Correct me if I'm wrong but I think your truck is probably coil sprung up front right now so you would have to ditch your entire front end because all the 3/4 and 1 ton 4x4s for your year were all leaf sprung. Your frame should be the same as the 4x4 models so you can just bolt up the new leaf springs and attach the axle. The only thing I'm not sure about is your current steering setup, I know on the later (80,90s) trucks they had different steering boxes for the 4x4 and 2x4 models so you might have to grab a steering box off that parts truck also. As for gettting power to that axle it would probably be easiest to go with a divorced mounted T-case so you don't have to do anything to the tranny while trying to mate it to the t-case. You will have to fab up some crossmembers to attach the t-case to. And while your hacking up that parts truck you might be able use the driveshafts too.
Sounds like a big project to me but if your really in love with your truck and would rather do this than sell yours and just buy a 4x4, then go for it.

 

I do have the front coil springs. I will have to look around and see what is available in terms of a used front end off a 4WD (3/4 or 1 ton) of that vintage. Sounds like a big project. I will have to evaluate a step at a time and decide if it is a go. Will be looking for other input also. Hopefully there is someone who has done one for these older trucks.

Also, I am interested how the ride is in 4WD in those years compared to the 2WD?

It is like the what the fair maiden said to her intended, "will you lay down your life for me?" and the intended said, " I love you but not that much!".

Joe

 

From what I recall, the frame on the F250 4x4's from 67-77 were different. I think they were narrower. That means suspension and from axles would take alot to modify to fit on your frame. What you might want to do is find a rolling chasis or donor truck to get basically everything from the frame - down. Your body should fit on there from what I've read before.

James Kern
1970 F250 4x4

 

Does anyone know where a thread is in the archives where someone has done this or where there is more detailed information on this? Converting to 4WD would make my F250 not only a 4WD, but make it also a High Boy. A term I don't really care for, and not as manly as a "Bad Boy". However, I wouldn't mind a higher stance.

Another thing I am covering in other posts is to find out how smooth a ride the 4WD F250 of 1972 vintage would compare with the later 4WD F250 trucks? I have already gotten feed back that the 72 F250 2WD with coil spring twin I-beam front suspension would be a more comfortable ride that the 4WD conversion.

Joe

 

By the way, I appreciate all the replies in this thread! They have given me a pretty good idea of the project, I am still just hoping to find more step by step detail especially if someone has already done this before.
Joe

 

Following is info from another thread:
From 1967 to 1977 the F-250's and up were still considered Heavy duty work trucks. The front leaves maintained a high leaf count (8-9) leafs and had a positive arch. 1977 was the year a redesign took place resulting in F250 4WD with a lower stance.

I am still trying to figure exactly what it takes to go from 2WD to 4WD for the 1972 F250. Thanks.
Joe

 

from what I can recall, to change to 4wd, you have to move the front crossmember rearward to clear the axle and pumpkin.
this involves undoing rivets or bolts, sspreading frame and moving it back. not sure how much, but some underframe detective work should find answers. the 2wd frame may also be narrower at this point on some years.

 

It would be more cost effective, and less troublesome to find a late 70s 4x4 chasis, and swap your body and motor into it. Its not that difficult. There are several posts in the 67-72 forum dealing with this. I would suggest a 78 or 79, they had better power steering, and parts are slightly easier to find.

Tony Warren
Nebraska