4wd conversion 1/2ton to 3/4 ton
Thread Starter
|
Senior User
Joined: Mar 2010
Posts: 190
Likes: 0
4wd conversion 1/2ton to 3/4 ton
Ok so i have a 78 f150 2wd 1/2 ton truck.
I also have a 77 f250 crew cab short bed complete with axles, trans, t case, driveline everything. the cab is missing off the frame.
Basiclly i have 2 ideas.
A is to swap my single cab cab onto the crew cab frame. then put my 8ft bed, and extend the bed using the other short bed on the frame. basicly making about a 12ft bed. itd be pretty long and huge.
B is to swap the 3/4 ton running gear into my 1/2 ton frame. will that work? custom fab will be needed and either option i go is going to be lifted about 8-10" and sitting on 39.5" boggers. so a custom lift and fabriction will be used and i have to tools and time to do this project.
I also have a 77 f250 crew cab short bed complete with axles, trans, t case, driveline everything. the cab is missing off the frame.
Basiclly i have 2 ideas.
A is to swap my single cab cab onto the crew cab frame. then put my 8ft bed, and extend the bed using the other short bed on the frame. basicly making about a 12ft bed. itd be pretty long and huge.
B is to swap the 3/4 ton running gear into my 1/2 ton frame. will that work? custom fab will be needed and either option i go is going to be lifted about 8-10" and sitting on 39.5" boggers. so a custom lift and fabriction will be used and i have to tools and time to do this project.
New User
Joined: May 2010
Posts: 14
Likes: 0
From: penasco new mexico
i would put the axles on your 2wd fame. but from what ive heard that the 2wd 1/2 ton truck frames are a little thiner then even the 1/2 ton 4x4s. i am curently puting 8 hole 44 in front and a dana 60 in back of my 73 f100 4x4 short bed. if you are gona lift it that hi and puting 39s on it then i would be afraid of breaking your 2wd frame. its not built for that. your 250 fame would hold up better. but it would look ridiculous.with that long of bed. like "bobwire" said. if i were you i would try and find a 250 single cab fame and build off that or i would try and find a crewcab for your 250. just my opinion.
Lead Driver
Joined: Mar 2010
Posts: 5,250
Likes: 11
From: West Virginia
I wouldn't worry about the frame- my F150 2wd is the same thickness as the reg cab long bed F250 frame I have. The supercab and the crewcab's had the thicker frames, but they probably arne't much stronger due to the longer length they have to span. so thats a nonissue. If youre lifting it that high, go ahead and put your running gear under your 2wd frame. Normally there is more you'd need to do to make the 2wd frame 4wd capable, but your running so much lift that the usual stuff probably won't matter. The only big problem is the front 3/4 stuff is leaf spring and your F150 is set up for the 2wd from suspension. Do you wanna keep coil springs and do a radius arm setup off an F150, or do you wanna set up your leaf springs off the 3/4 truck? either way, no off the shelf kit exists for 10" of lift.
Either project is rather ambitious so make sure you search on here to find all the pitfalls and tips you can before you embark on one.
Either project is rather ambitious so make sure you search on here to find all the pitfalls and tips you can before you embark on one.
Thread Starter
|
Senior User
Joined: Mar 2010
Posts: 190
Likes: 0
I think im going to take all the 3/4 running gear and put it in the 2wd.
I want to use the leafs up front. basicly i plan for the rear to shackle flip. 3/4 ton springs, and maybe a 3-4 block.
then up front just make longer shackles and make some drop down brackets for the stock 3/4 leaves.
not sure how much lift i will have but im guessing close to 8" I got the 3/4 ton crew cab frame and suspension for 100$ so it was a steal. frame, full running gear, t case trans bed and front end and extra parts!
Im waiting till after the 4th of july to get my demo derby car out of the way so i can move the frame in and start the swap!
I want to use the leafs up front. basicly i plan for the rear to shackle flip. 3/4 ton springs, and maybe a 3-4 block.
then up front just make longer shackles and make some drop down brackets for the stock 3/4 leaves.
not sure how much lift i will have but im guessing close to 8" I got the 3/4 ton crew cab frame and suspension for 100$ so it was a steal. frame, full running gear, t case trans bed and front end and extra parts!
Im waiting till after the 4th of july to get my demo derby car out of the way so i can move the frame in and start the swap!
Lead Driver
Joined: Mar 2010
Posts: 5,250
Likes: 11
From: West Virginia
That would give you about 8 in the rear depending on where you weld the flipped brackets but unless you do ridiculous drop hanger in the front you aren't gonna get 8 out of a drop bracket and longer shackles.
