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Another 2 wheel drive to 4 wheel drive, but still need advice

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Old May 13, 2003 | 04:35 PM
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Another 2 wheel drive to 4 wheel drive, but still need advice

just wanted to know if it was worth it, I have a 01 f-350 dually and I wanted to know if there were any frame or body modifications that I might have to consider if I want to convert my work truck into a play truck. I have friends that both sell ford parts and install that are willing to help me. thanks for the advice.
 
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Old May 13, 2003 | 04:46 PM
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Blue96
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Another 2 wheel drive to 4 wheel drive, but still need advice

Your in TX no snow.
Get yourself locked up in the rear. You should have any problems gettin where the other guys go.
Gettin all four meats turnin at once, you should be able to float over anything.
 
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Old May 13, 2003 | 11:23 PM
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Another 2 wheel drive to 4 wheel drive, but still need advice

Trade it in on the truck you really need. Doing a correct 4x4 conversion on a truck like that will cost you more than you could buy the same 4wd version. There are a lot of forgotten variables that drive up the cost of one of those conversions.

I also wouldn't recommend a locker in the back of a dually on any slippery or muddy surfaces. Having all that traction with 4 wheels doesn't do any good when there is no weight on them. I had a 70's Chevy crew cab flatbed horse trailer puller with a stout 454.
While it was a blast to drive in dry weather, even wet pavement became a scary experience with no weight on the rearend. I pretty much parked it in the winter time and drove one of the farm crummys.

Jason
 
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Old Mar 28, 2005 | 01:26 PM
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RCrawler:

I have a 1966 f100 I want to convert to 4x4 and lift it a little. would you give me the same advise or can I covert without much trouble? I really want to keep my truck but I do want the 4x4. If not to cost prohibitive to convert (less then 2 to 3K) -- how do I get started?
 
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Old Mar 28, 2005 | 01:33 PM
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Buy yourself a donor truck that is rusted out or not running and go from there. I'm doing a '67 F100 right now, major pain in the behind, but in the end its gonna be one unique rig. So far I have $800 (inital purchase of my '67 shortbox), $475 or so in new rear leaf springs and shocks, $50 some in poly bushings, free transmission and transfer case, free dana 60 rear axle, free leaf spring hangers for rear, $125 Dana 60 front (I got lucky there). $36 in 4x6" with 1/4" sidewall, $30 in 1/2 x 1.5" flat steel, free steering box. Still needed are all new brake lines, and driveshafts, and steel for my bumpers. So, I'm saying it can be done on a real tight budget if you can cut some deals with people and aren't scared to scour junkyards.
 
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Old Mar 28, 2005 | 01:41 PM
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Thanks! I will look for a donor truck
 
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Old Mar 28, 2005 | 01:42 PM
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Another question - when looking for a donor 4x4 - do I have to have a 1966 or will other years work?
 
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Old Mar 28, 2005 | 02:54 PM
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The more desirable front axles are the Dana 44 HP with disc brakes for the front unless you are making a monster truck, then you would want a Dana 60 front (bigger than 35" tires). Most people look for '78 or '79 Bronco or F-150s for donors because of the axles if you want to go coil springs up front. If you want to go with leaves I am not sure what year they started to put disc brakes up in the front of them but I believe it was 1976. So pretty much any year from '66 to '79 would more than likely work for you. It is all a matter of whether or not you want to go coils (better ride) or the leaf sprung front (rougher ride).
 
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Old Apr 25, 2005 | 11:53 PM
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on the older (60's and 70's) conversions, do ya have to do any fabrication other than custom driveshafts? this assuming the whole drive train is replaced, tranny, axles t-case etc.

We have a 72' f250 regular cab in real good condiotion and I would really like to do a conversion to make a nice looking mud truck.
 
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Old Apr 25, 2005 | 11:55 PM
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oh also what's better for a mud truck? leaves or coil sprung front suspension? I would also want dana 60's for bigger tires (at least 38's in the long run)

apreciate it!
 
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Old Apr 26, 2005 | 09:17 AM
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Caleb,

You've got the right idea starting out with dana 60 axle up front. There is quite a bit of fabrication involved in the process, mainly installing the front axle, and new crossmembers for tranny/tcase. Leafs or Coils up front, its your choice man, both are equally good...It all boils down to personal preference.
 
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Old Apr 26, 2005 | 10:48 AM
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Originally Posted by Caleb1
oh also what's better for a mud truck? leaves or coil sprung front suspension? I would also want dana 60's for bigger tires (at least 38's in the long run)

apreciate it!
Coils flex better than leaves. A properly set up leaf-spring suspension will flex as much as you need, though. The firmer the leaf spring (ie lift springs) the less flex they give. That's why Pro and Ivan didn't go with banana springs on their rigs, they wouldn't have flexed for the world because they are so stiff. Also why Fishy has gone down to half ton leaf springs in the back, and working on doing a similar downgrade in the front - he wants more flex and the 3/4 ton springs were much stiffer.

As far as what's better. Hehe lets get Rob AND Pro arguing this one. Both of their trucks are designed as mud trucks, though Pro's is more of an all-around athlete due to its full-size tires.

Rob would still his behind in the drag's . That is...if Rob ever assembles the stroker.
 
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Old Apr 26, 2005 | 05:31 PM
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That sounds like a double dare to rob and pro . For the mud (in my opinion) the leaves i think would be a bit better way to go as they will be less hanging (like track bars, and if you went this way in the rear to, trac bars, ladder bars etc) done in the way, also the leafs are easier to make fit the coils (i think anyway), but it all depends on your skills.
 
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Old Apr 26, 2005 | 09:14 PM
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Ramboss where in the HELL did you find that dana 60 front and what year is it...just curious cuz i about sold my left nut trying to find one. BTW are you gonna be at Murdo's mud race on May 14.
 
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Old Apr 26, 2005 | 11:25 PM
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Thomsen,

I was cruising the backroads scouting for snow geese this spring and happened upon this lil Ford pasture.....Talked to the landowner and he said I could get whatever I wanted out there. I still haven't gone an pulled the axle out yet, its on the top of my list to do as soon as I get a few buddies to help lug it into the back end of the pickup. It is either a '78 or '79 F350 its coming out of, I can't really remember off the top of my head. Not sure if I'll be at the Murdo race or not, I won't have anything to race with.....But I might make it to drink some beers an watch the carnage.
 
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