Hi again.
I am still workin on my 81 F100. I wan to do a 4x4 conversion, and make it look pretty stock. I need some help though.
I have many questions about this conversion, so i will just list the all, and yall answer them if you can

1. Will the 300 have enough power to push the 4x4 drivetrain and still pull a load?
2. will 1 ton, or 3/4 ton springs bolt to the stock shackles? and if not what kinda modifaction will be needed
3. what would be the best set of gears to use? should i go low geared, like 5.13:1 or higher like 3.73's?
4. Will the manual steering box work with this set up? If not, what would be the simplist power steering setup? I really want to keep the engine bay as clutter free as i can.
5. Is there any way to keep the three speed trans? if not what mods would be needed for the T-18 or another manual trans?
6. What would be involved in changing to 1 ton or 1.5 ton nonpower brakes? would it be a simple master cyclinder and caliber change? Will I have to run new lines?

7. Does anybody know of someone nearby (ill list counties) that would do custum paint? i want someone that could do the picture thats in my album.
Counties nearby
Guilford (nc), Forsyth (nc), Rockingham (nc), Surry (nc), Stokes (nc), Henry (va), Roanoke (va), Franklin (va), Carrol (va).

 

1. Will the 300 have enough power to push the 4x4 drivetrain and still pull a load?
Yes, the 300 will have enough power.

2. will 1 ton, or 3/4 ton springs bolt to the stock shackles? and if not what kinda modifaction will be needed
2wd springs will. 4x4 springs are wider. Most people that convert to 4x4 leave the 2wd narrower springs in the rear. If you want to go to the wider springs, the hangers on the frame have to be changed.

3. what would be the best set of gears to use? should i go low geared, like 5.13:1 or higher like 3.73's?
It depends on what size tire you are going to use, what you are going to use the truck for, and how many engine modifications will be made.

4. Will the manual steering box work with this set up? If not, what would be the simplist power steering setup? I really want to keep the engine bay as clutter free as i can. The manual steering should work, but with 4x4 you will want power steering. It's very simple to install. I would get a donor truck for all the pieces you need for the steering as well as the 4x4 pieces.

5. Is there any way to keep the three speed trans? if not what mods would be needed for the T-18 or another manual trans?
You cannot keep the 3 speed because it's a 2wd tranny. You need a 4x4 tranny. If you buy the correct donor truck, you will get the correct tranny, transfer case, frontend, driveshafts, etc that you need to bolt all this in and it will be like factory.

6. What would be involved in changing to 1 ton or 1.5 ton nonpower brakes? would it be a simple master cyclinder and caliber change? Will I have to run new lines?
I don't know what you are trying to achieve, but putting all the heavier parts on your f100 will not make it a heavier duty truck. If you want a heavier duty truck, you should buy a f250 or f350 donor, and swap your f100 body onto the donor frame. The f250/350 has everything that is heavier duty, from the frame, springs, wheels, etc.

 

I don't know what you are trying to achieve, but putting all the heavier parts on your f100 will not make it a heavier duty truck. If you want a heavier duty truck, you should buy a f250 or f350 donor, and swap your f100 body onto the donor frame. The f250/350 has everything that is heavier duty, from the frame, springs, wheels, etc.


If i could i would, but unless someone has one that they can donate then this is gunna be impossible. I dont have the funds to but yet another truck.

 

If you buy all this stuff piece meal from the junkyard, it's going to cost way more than buying a f250 or 350 with a rusted out body or a blown engine. Just be patient, the donor is going to be the way to go for you.

 

Funds are not the only thing that worrys me. If i get a donar truck and switch the body and motor, then is it gunna be legal. Will it still be insureable? As a modified truck it will have higher taxes.

 

The truck still will have the f100 title. You will just slide the frame of the other truck underneath. It's done all the time. The only time this issue will come up is when you go to sell it, and you can tell the buyer the title and the body are a f100 with a f250 running gear under it. Most people who are not into Ford trucks would not even know the difference.

And don't limit yourself to 80-86 donors. You can use trucks up to around 1996 for a donor. You can take and sell parts off the donor to get back some of your investment also, and then you can rebuild the frame and paint it all up, and then put your truck body on top.

 

what do you suggest as a good year model to switch? I currently have a short bed single cab. is there any year thats better than another?

 

That could be a problem. I don't think they ever made a f250 or 350 in a short bed. So all the donors would have the long frame, and you need the shorter frame.

Are you set on having a shortbed truck? If so, then you might could customize the longer frame to fit, but you have to have some metal working skills for that.

 

the short bed aint a necessity. I would however like to have a truck that is just as happy up to te hood in mud as it is with a 10,000 lbs trailer

Would it be better to find a 250 or 350 with a blown motor and set my motor down in it.

If worst comes to worst ill get a c6 and drop it down into my 89 k2500. The 300 would probally do better than the 350 anyway. I have had to replace the head gasket on the chevy twice, and i think the main berings are gone. upps