What will have to be done to convert my 2wd 79 crewcab to 4wd?
thanks

 

Ahhh the epic question. Quite simply, converting a 2wd frame to 4wd sucks.

The simple part is fabricating spring hangers and installing a front axle with apropriate springs.

The more difficult part is getting a steering box in the right place and throwing in the right direction. The 2wd engine crossmember wants to contact the 4wd front axle as well.

You'll need a different transmission to connect to the transfer case.

Minor details like new driveshafts front and rear. Transfer case shifter linkages. Brake lines. Shock absorbers and probably new mounts. New rear springs or blocks to match the front height.

Its not really that bad if you don't mind the custom fabrication on the front part of the frame.

 

Thanks for the response. I am obsessed with making this truck a 4wd. Has anyone done this here and been successfull? Do I need to look for a certain donor vehicle?

 

Flip it has been done and in several ways, I have a 78 that will be getting the treatmant as well. I am looking at different ways, about the simplest I have seen so far is grafting the front section off a 4x4 to the crew frame.

If you have any luck with the search option it has been covered several times, obviously starting with a 4x4 is bestbut that is not as easy with a crew.

 

Can grafting the front of a 4x4 and fitting the new section to the crew be done in a way that would be just as strong as the 4x4 factory crews? I would have to hire this part out to a pro so where would a start looking for someone who can do this work?

 

I'm doing it to my supercab. I thought about doing things such as welding, and thinking, and fabricating, but then I found a 4wd supercab frame and I was like... ahh... this should be so much easier.
lol.

good luck with the crewcabs, I'm not sure on chassis length but there was recently a thread about them. I think I'd rather cut my bed down to fit on a shorter 4x4 chassis than have to modify the frame. its less work.

 

I have a '78 4wd swb crew cab frame that I am not going to use, but it is in NJ..

 

I guess it would depend on the person and what you wanted outof the finished product.
It would be easier for me to graft the frame than it would be to cut the bed down, and I already have a short bed I dont need it to be any shorter. lol
Yes they will be just as strong as factory if done right, any truck frame shop can do it for you, it is common on big rigs to get the wheelbase needed. Now what the cost will be varies on how much of the work you do yourself.

 

I wouldn't bother grafting two frames together, you don't want to splice the frame.

Just compare the two, take the spring hangers off the 4wd and you should be able to bolt them on without too much hassle. If the engine crossmember is in the way cut it and section it until its out of the way. Plate the front left of the frame and weld in sleeves and bolt the 4wd steering box on. Use an aftermarket steering shaft to connect the column to the new steering box. You'll need longer brake lines but stock ones should work and the brakes are the same so they will work fine. You'll probably need to move the shock mounts or maybe swap the 4wd shock mounts on.

I've been contemplating the swap for a while since the donor truck I bought for the motor is actually in better shape than the truck that needs the motor, but in my case its less work to swap the parts, no cutting or welding required.

 

Anyone know if I could use a donor 78 Supercab F250 4WD frame and drive train for a 79 1 ton Supercab F350 2wd body?

 

So basically putting the 79 supercab F-350 body on the frame of a 78 supercab F-250 4x4? Yes that will work. Of course you will need to use the trans and T-case from the F-250 4x4. All body mounts will be the same. You will also need to cut a hole in the floor for the transfer case shifter.

BTW, welcome to FTE. There's a bunch of great guys on this site (especially in the 73-79 dentside forums) that are always eager to help.

You may have better results answering your questions if you start your own thread instead of waking up this thread from 5 years ago.

 

What frame would I need to do the four wheel drive swap?

 

I am interested in this frame. Let me know how to proceed.

 

Lostinfords post was from 2010 and that account has not logged in since 2019. It is very unlikely the frame is still available or that you will get a response.