Off road performance
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New User
Joined: Oct 2005
Posts: 9
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Off road performance
I've got a '78 F-100 2wd. Man I wish it was a 4x4, and I can't even think about a 2wd to 4wd conversion. This is the truck I learned how to drive in 20 something years ago, so I'm keeping it around. My question is I use this truck driving my hunting property and around the farm. What kind of things can I do to improve the off road capabilities? I would appreciate some ideas and costs associated with them.
Senior User
Joined: May 2007
Posts: 184
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A good limited slip or locker in the rear-end will definitley help out. You might be able to make a 2WD lift kit for that thing using stock 4WD front coil buckets and coils. Then fab up some drop radius arms and get a drop pitman arm or something like that. These are just some ideas but you may be able to make some of these ideas work.
Freshman User
Joined: Dec 2008
Posts: 48
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The most important thing is good tires.
After that, as others have said, the only thing you can really do is add a locker in the rear.
Sorry, but I'd have to heartily disagree! Even with a locker, you still only get 1/2 the traction with a 2WD as in a 4WD. I wouldn't cross deep water in a 2WD that I would in a 4WD. A 4WD is also clearly superior in mud or snow. 
After that, as others have said, the only thing you can really do is add a locker in the rear.
Lead Driver
Joined: Jun 2006
Posts: 5,627
Likes: 957
From: Near Yosemite CA
Welcome to FTE Ol'Blu, a locker in the rear does wonders IF you have some weight distributed back there, a few tubes with sand around each wheel well will help alot. Or we used to use old stumps braced in the back.
Fleet Mechanic
Joined: Feb 2007
Posts: 1,326
Likes: 48
From: Middle TN
If you are in the east with lots of mud you will not be happy till you go 4x4.
By far the easiest way is to find a F150 4x4 cheep that you can buy for the chassis and running gear. Swap your cab and bed and maybe your drive train onto the 4x4. This is a big project but in the end it will be the most satisfactory.
By far the easiest way is to find a F150 4x4 cheep that you can buy for the chassis and running gear. Swap your cab and bed and maybe your drive train onto the 4x4. This is a big project but in the end it will be the most satisfactory.
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Senior User
Joined: Feb 2003
Posts: 247
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From: Greenville, NC
The biggest difference between 2wd and a 4wd is the speed you have to hit the obstacle. In a 4wd you can creep up to any obstacle at a safe speed and get over it. In a 2wd you will have to hit the obstacle at speed to get the front tires over it, and this may result in the vehicle going out of control or parts breakage.
That being said, a good set of tires and a locker in the back really will help out in most dirt road situations. Deep mud and snow will be your downfall. One last thing to consider: A winch. If you do get stuck, you just hook it up to the nearest tree and pull yourself free. It sounds like most obstacles you encounter will be of the mud puddle variety, not driving the Rubicon. A winch would be ideal in this situation.
You can probably get the tires, winch, and locker for under $2000.
That being said, a good set of tires and a locker in the back really will help out in most dirt road situations. Deep mud and snow will be your downfall. One last thing to consider: A winch. If you do get stuck, you just hook it up to the nearest tree and pull yourself free. It sounds like most obstacles you encounter will be of the mud puddle variety, not driving the Rubicon. A winch would be ideal in this situation.
You can probably get the tires, winch, and locker for under $2000.
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Posting Guru
Joined: Nov 2008
Posts: 1,937
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From: wyoming
Off road 2wd stuff
Check out www.autofab.com. They have some cool photo's of 78 2wd off road racing stuff. have to agree on locker but if you live in ice and snow locker will get you killed and spun out into ditch. Ladder bars or link suspension to transfer weight to rear is very important for hookin up tires. ford like this tend to spin tires because no transfer of weight to rear. Another cool 2wd for is you tube fordF2000off road its an extreme 2wd ford but cool to check out.
Junior User
Joined: Jan 2008
Posts: 94
Likes: 0
somebody correct me if I am wrong but I've heard you can flip the I-beams upside down to gain more ground clearance thus being able to fit larger more aggressive tires that could help you float over mud and soft ground easier.
Post Fiend
Joined: Aug 2008
Posts: 6,751
Likes: 3
From: Sin City
A wise man once told me that the difference between 2 and 4 wheel drive was that 4 wheel drive allowed you to get much further away from any help, and was a lot longer walk back after getting stuck. 
Postmaster
Joined: Aug 2005
Posts: 2,760
Likes: 8
From: Gadsden Purchase
http://www.panix.com/~alvinj/file12/bumper.jpg
http://www.panix.com/~alvinj/file12/bumper1.jpg
http://www.panix.com/~alvinj/file12/bumper2.jpg
That's 322 pounds of lead and hardware as far back as I could get it. :)
It takes 120 pounds off the front tires and adds 442 pounds of "traction
weight" both at the same time.
This may not be as good for you, I originally did it to help with dirt road travel.
Sorry Fords will tend to want to "dance sideways on you" on a dirt road.
That weight is a crazy-*** idea I know, but crazy or not, it's also one of my
favorite modifications. It did way more good than just stopping it from
wanting to dance sideways. :)
Alvin is nuttier than you thought in AZ
{edit: I need better pictures}
http://www.panix.com/~alvinj/file12/bumper1.jpg
http://www.panix.com/~alvinj/file12/bumper2.jpg
That's 322 pounds of lead and hardware as far back as I could get it. :)
It takes 120 pounds off the front tires and adds 442 pounds of "traction
weight" both at the same time.
This may not be as good for you, I originally did it to help with dirt road travel.
Sorry Fords will tend to want to "dance sideways on you" on a dirt road.
That weight is a crazy-*** idea I know, but crazy or not, it's also one of my
favorite modifications. It did way more good than just stopping it from
wanting to dance sideways. :)
Alvin is nuttier than you thought in AZ
{edit: I need better pictures}
Post Fiend
Joined: Jan 2007
Posts: 7,021
Likes: 4
From: Almost Heaven
Single cab '94 FlareSide. 300I6.
I've went through some serious mud with my truck. I'm extremely impressed by it. I have a 4.11 gear ratio and a Powertrax No Slip automatic locker. The locker was the best thing I ever did for my truck. My off road capabilities before the locker were rather pathetic. Now I can easily go where normal 4x2's get stuck, or at least have much trouble.
Instal a locker and get some good tires and you'll do fine.
I once had to slow down to an almost stop going through a mud pit to avoid hitting a truck. I thought I was going to get stuck! But I didn't. I didn't even have any trouble getting out from an almost dead stop. My only issue was not being able to steer my truck and my bed wanted to slide around since I didn't have any weight in it.
With all this being said, nothing beats 4x4, even when both axles are open diffed. I'm just saying a locker and tires on a 4x2 will greatly increase it's off road capabilites.
I've went through some serious mud with my truck. I'm extremely impressed by it. I have a 4.11 gear ratio and a Powertrax No Slip automatic locker. The locker was the best thing I ever did for my truck. My off road capabilities before the locker were rather pathetic. Now I can easily go where normal 4x2's get stuck, or at least have much trouble.
Instal a locker and get some good tires and you'll do fine.
I once had to slow down to an almost stop going through a mud pit to avoid hitting a truck. I thought I was going to get stuck! But I didn't. I didn't even have any trouble getting out from an almost dead stop. My only issue was not being able to steer my truck and my bed wanted to slide around since I didn't have any weight in it.
With all this being said, nothing beats 4x4, even when both axles are open diffed. I'm just saying a locker and tires on a 4x2 will greatly increase it's off road capabilites.
Junior User
Joined: Sep 2008
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