So this weekend has been crazy productive as far as planning for my truck. I've hopefully finally figured out what I'm going to do to make her a 4x4 (and after doing some math I discovered I was way off on how much more that chassis weighed, about 200#more not 2000# lol), I'll probably be swapping the axles with some F250HD ones and keeping the original chassis.

When I do that I'll be upgrading the pedals and steering as well (turns like a ship at the moment, stops like one too) and of course the brakes with the donor trucks. However the 272 I have isn't going to be enough, and frankly the double clutching the transmission is killing me. So I'm thinking of dropping in a 351w and auto trans.

The donor truck has a 460 in it, the transmission on it needs a little work. (I believe the transfer case is divorced, but not positive yet, if not I guess I'll need to find one of those). As much as I love big blocks, a 460 is just horrible for daily driving... something about probably getting 7 mpg, lol.

I figure the 351w will give me all the power I'll need and being a small block also be easier to swap in, though it may still require some firewall/floorboard work.

Will the 272's radiator work with the 351w, or will I need a new one? Any other parts that I will need to be swapping out?

As far as getting the wheel base correct, I plan on making it at 118" (factory long bed length), just measure from the center of the hubs correct?

Anyone have any tips? Most of it seems straight forward, ok it all sorta does, but I figure there is a good chance I'm missing something that I should be aware of before starting, lol.

 

More details on what exactly you are swapping? Full chassis or just the running gear? What gearing in the donor parts? That could make all the difference if fuel economy is an issue. I'll second the 351W. That's what I would use if I did it over. You have a chance at respectable fuel mpg, and the torque for a heavy rig will still be there. Y blocks are good, but it would be working pretty hard if you are putting 3/4 axles in it.