Asking about another truck
Thread Starter
|
New User
Joined: Feb 2010
Posts: 19
Likes: 0
From: Salem, VA
Asking about another truck
OK, I lost out on the 87 F250 single cab 4wd 4spd 6.9 with 236k on it and a good body for 600.00 I feel really stupid.
So now I have found another and I want an opinion.
1988 f350 2wd Crew Cab 7.3 5spd. Asking price is $2500. I think I can get it for between $1500 - and $2000. Body seems to be in good shape. Has 5th wheel and reese hitches.
I would really like 4wd, but I could make do without.
Should I wait to find exactly what I want or should I pounce???
So now I have found another and I want an opinion.
1988 f350 2wd Crew Cab 7.3 5spd. Asking price is $2500. I think I can get it for between $1500 - and $2000. Body seems to be in good shape. Has 5th wheel and reese hitches.
I would really like 4wd, but I could make do without.
Should I wait to find exactly what I want or should I pounce???
Post Fiend
Joined: Oct 2007
Posts: 10,501
Likes: 5
From: Faibanks Ak.
It has been my experiance that if you don't get what you want to start with, you are neber going to be satisfied with what you settled for. That said you can usually find some great deals on 2X pickups and there is less maintenance than 4X,PLUS they sometimes haven't been beat as bad.
Elder User
Joined: Feb 2010
Posts: 724
Likes: 0
Sounds like it would be a nice truck...if you have your heart set on a 4x4 1988 f350 2wd frames and 4wd frames are the same...so you could just go to a junk yard and pull the front axle and all that good stuff you need to convert it.
Thread Starter
|
New User
Joined: Feb 2010
Posts: 19
Likes: 0
From: Salem, VA
SO what would be needed...the transfer case, a ZF5 for a 4wd, The shorter rear driveshaft and the front driveshaft. And the whole suspension/steering setup from the 4wd donor. Are the holes for the transfer case linkage already punched and just need to be knocked out?
Elder User
Joined: Feb 2010
Posts: 724
Likes: 0
I've never converted a 2wd to a 4wd..but I know it has been done....if you could find a 4wd truck 86 to 92 that has a good drive train in it then you could just swap everything...doesn't have to be a running truck or even a whole truck would just be a rolling chassis.....if you really want the truck go ahead and get it..if you fond out it's something you don't want or don't want to take the time to convert you can always sell it....everyone loves a diesel.
Post Fiend
Joined: Oct 2007
Posts: 10,501
Likes: 5
From: Faibanks Ak.
You better do some research on a 4X conversion The frames and suspention are not the same. It can be done but I'm pretty sure the front crossmember is different and is riveted and maybe even have some welds on it, you will need to mount the fromt spring hangers and rear hangers too, the tranny crossmember is different but that is a bolt in deal. I would never buy a 2X with the intent of making a 4X out of it. You will spend another 1,000 or better for parts and if you count your labor have another grand or better in it, If you have a shop do the swap you can buy 2 4Xs cheaper than the conversion would likely cost. That said I did buy a 2x with the intention of converting it to 4X but it is a 78 crew and a good body is hard to find.
Logistics Pro
Joined: Sep 2007
Posts: 3,737
Likes: 179
From: Western Mass
2wd = coil suspension
4wd = leaf suspension
The above are NOT bolt on changes, the front horn on the frame is drastically different and none of the holes line up. If you get the driveshafts with the 4wd tranny and transfer case, that all bolts up nice. And the hole for the transfer case shifter is hiding under the carpet already (at least on a regular cab standard....).
Speaking as someone that took a 2wd and made it 4wd, its not as easy or as much fun as it sounds. Its doable, but a ROYAL PAIN IN THE ***!!! And unless you get some amazing deals, it sure as hell ain't cheaper. I thought I was saving money with my truck, and I did get some good deals, but the body needs lots of work... and the suspension didn't turn out quite like it was supposed to... and since it was a good deal, some parts have been beat to hell....
You're much better off waiting and finding what you want. However, if the price is decent, and you don't really need the 4wd, it might be a good deal. Just don't plan on easily, or cheaply making it 4wd.
Trending Topics
Cargo Master
Joined: Mar 2006
Posts: 2,789
Likes: 5
From: Sand GAp, KY
It is a real pain to do this sorta swap. When I dieseled my bronco I used the F250 suspension and the front was the rough part. None of the holes are there for the springs. I did this in my driveway and it took about a month a few hours a night after work. For what you have to spend on the parts at a yard you could get a 4x4.
FTE Stories
Ford Trucks for Ford Truck Enthusiasts
10 Things Every Truck Owner NEEDS (2026 Edition)
Michael S. Palmer
Rezvani's Latest Post-Apocalyptic Monster Is a Ford F-150 Raptor Underneath
Verdad Gallardo
Top 10 Most Expensive Ford Trucks Ever Sold on Bring a Trailer
Joe Kucinski
2027 Ford Super Duty Buyer's Guide (Every Model, Engine, & Package)
Brett Foote
Top 10 Ford Truck Tragedies
Joe Kucinski
AEV FXL Super Duty - the Super Duty Raptor Ford Doesn't Make
Brett Foote
Lobo Vs Lobo: Proof the F-150 Lobo Should Be Even Lower!
Michael S. Palmer
Ford's 2001 Explorer Sportsman Concept Looks For a New Home
Verdad Gallardo
10 Best Ford Truck Engines We Miss the Most!
Joe Kucinski
Elder User
Joined: Feb 2010
Posts: 724
Likes: 0
It all just depends on what he wants to use the truck for...if he wants to use it for towing 2wd is just fine I think, but if he just wants 4wd for some extra traction in snow and on country roads and doesn't plan on doing any heavy off roading then his frame wouldn't really need all the extra bracing that a stock 4wd frame has....don't get me wrong I'm not saying this easy in anyway nor is it cheap you will spend a lot of cash, and if you don't have all the extra bracing taking it off road would be a gamble, I was just throwing this out there, all just depends on what you want to do with the truck, but if it was me and i wanted a 4wd I'd just buy one, still sounds like a nice truck though 
Fleet Owner
Joined: Jul 2006
Posts: 20,361
Likes: 822
From: Mi'kma'ki
i agree with star.
if you want a 4x4.don't even look at 2WD trucks.it will just keep making you want to settle,because they are SO much cheaper.
keep looking.
unless you really know that you just don't need a 4wd truck,then frig it man.don't burn $ for nothing.get a nice 2WD and save or spend the $ in wiser places in your life.
only you know tho,and if you want a 4wd truck,and always have,then stick to your guns and keep saving,and keep looking,and never look back at 2wd again.
this probably didn't help you one bit.
no matter what tho,forget about the 2wd to 4wd conversion.
imho,the only way this would be worth it,would be for a real low mileage f450 dually and up/serious $ maker.otherwise,just buy the 4x4 to start with.you cant even do it yourself,if your not an advanced shade tree mechanic with some tools torch/welder etc.etc.and you certainly couldn't hire it done at anything reasonable.
if you want a 4x4.don't even look at 2WD trucks.it will just keep making you want to settle,because they are SO much cheaper.
keep looking.
unless you really know that you just don't need a 4wd truck,then frig it man.don't burn $ for nothing.get a nice 2WD and save or spend the $ in wiser places in your life.
only you know tho,and if you want a 4wd truck,and always have,then stick to your guns and keep saving,and keep looking,and never look back at 2wd again.
this probably didn't help you one bit.
no matter what tho,forget about the 2wd to 4wd conversion.
imho,the only way this would be worth it,would be for a real low mileage f450 dually and up/serious $ maker.otherwise,just buy the 4x4 to start with.you cant even do it yourself,if your not an advanced shade tree mechanic with some tools torch/welder etc.etc.and you certainly couldn't hire it done at anything reasonable.
Thread Starter
|
New User
Joined: Feb 2010
Posts: 19
Likes: 0
From: Salem, VA
Thank You all very much. I think I will keep looking. It is just frustrating because it is everything I want except the 4wd. The 87 was everything except ext cab/crew cab. But at $600, I am VERY sorry I did not jump on that. I think I am going to keep looking for an 85 - 96 f250/f350, 6.9/7.3, 4wd, 4spd/5spd, long bed/utility bed with good sheetmetal. I don't 4 wheel much, and with that type of truck, I would not do like I have with samurai's and Jeeps. I want 4wd for weather and for driving into a field etc. To be honest, I don't need to tow much, but I like having the ability to hook up to almost anything I need to. To be honest, I could get by with a ranger. However, a 4wd Ranger gets no better fuel mileage than a F250 idi diesel in proper tune. (18mpg) So I figure why not get the more comfortable and more capable truck. The Rangers are just as expensive as the diesels around here for whatever reason.
Post Fiend
Joined: Oct 2007
Posts: 10,501
Likes: 5
From: Faibanks Ak.
I don't know if you have ever owned a ranger,BUT if you are used to a pickup I would not even consider one, if I was going to have to drive it. I used to average 4,000 miles a month in a parts chasing rig, so I thought a ranger was what I needed (and it did do the job) but a 200 mile round trip was about like 1,000 in a pickup.
Posting Guru
Joined: Dec 2009
Posts: 2,322
Likes: 2
From: Dairy, OR
I traded my 94 ranger straight across for the 92 F250 I have now. Loved my ranger but gave it up for EXACTLY what I needed and wanted in a full size. Don't settle or you will just end up selling it later.