73 f100 2wd to 79 f250 4wd conversion
 

Ok, the plans are finally narrowed down. I have had the 73 2wd for about 16 years and haven't done anything with it. I found a 79 f250 4x4 last fall and bought it cheap. My plan is to put the complete 73 body on the 79 frame. Any issues?

What I have done so far. Stripped and sand blasted the 79 frame. Pulled the donor trans from a 97 F350. Yep, 97. The 351 in the 97 was bad. I have a 351 in the 79 already. Any issues mating the 4r100 to the older 351?

Will the serpentine belt system work from the 97?

This is a frame off and completely stripped build. I had a picture that I found on here of what I want this truck to look like, but lost it. Haven't been able to find it again.

The pic was of a 79 Cream and White 4x4. Anyone seen it?

I am trying to get close to building one like I bought new in 78.

Thanks for any input.

Doug

more info
 

The end result will be a 79 Clone.

351W/4r100/4x4
3.55 gears
single cab
Cream and white long bed
Some type of fuel injection(undecided how yet)
late model seats for comfort, I am getting to old
manual front hubs(diff in question, I have a 60 and a 44.)
97 tilt column with cable shift for the 4r100
I have factory rear bumper and a custom bumper(don't know which yet.)
It will have some new radio, but I don't want to cut the dash.


This truck will be used for traveling the US seeing family and friends in retirement. The truck wil see snow, and climbing, but no mud.

Doug

Did they put the 4r100 in front of 351ws?? I thought it was only the e4od and I don't think they share a bellhousing. Also, have you measured the frames? Some years have different width frames, not sure on specifics of that though. Thought it couldn't be too hard to make some new mounts and what not.

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I don't know about the 4r100 behind a 351W, the 97 had a 351, but it is a 97 style and I don't know if it is different yet. I have not measured the frames. I did a number of searches here and didn't find anything. I think there was a difference in the cab floors, but I have the 4x4 cab if i need to change the hump. Does anyone know?

The 351W is from a 2WD, so I know I need a rear sump pan and pickup tube. I hoped that i could find one at summit or jegs, but no luck yet.

Doug

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Another possibility is to rebuild the 97 351 or find another one. Use the 97 wiring harness and EFI. Any thoughts? That solves the oil pan problem.

Doug

97 F150? They didn't come with windsors..they were all mod motors and the one ****ty v6 AFAIK

there was a heritage 97' f-150.....they may have came w/ the 5.8.

they had "heritage" 250's for sure as well. maybe even 350's, but i believe it was only into 97, no 98's.

if you still have this "97 351" could you get a picture, or compare it to your other 351? if it is a mod motor you will be able to tell right off the bat because the are wide as all hell compared to a windsor
modular motor
http://image.musclemustangfastfords....rbo_system.jpg
351w
http://www.riot-horsepower.com.au/351w%20long%20mtr.jpg

Re-read the first post, he plainly states the 97 351W and trans was from a 97 F350, which was still using the 96 chassis/body, so I would assume the engines were also the same as 96.......

what kind of limpdicked mfer wouldve ordered an F350 with a 5.8 when the 460 and PSD were readily available?

Car salesmen. A truck salesman would have known better.......

idk how, but i managed to completely miss that. ?????
werd!!!!:-wink

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With all that said, the motor is F.I. - Roller Tappets - # F4TE-AAS manufactured from 94-97. I will most likely use it or a reman of it. That way I can use it's FI, serpentine system and don't have to worry about the oil pan. The 4r100 was already bolted to it so no problem there either. The T-Case has never been removed. With luck, the drive shafts will work. I may even use the dana 60 front. I just need to change it from 4:10 to 3:55. Has anyone used the factory late model wiring harness or can someone recommend an after market harness?

Doug

trade your 60 with 4.10s for one of equal quality with 3.54s. I think pretty much anyone wanting a D60 would rather have the lower gearset and would happily trade.

Cheaper and easier than changing gears

As far as the body swap, it's 100% bolt on, just need to change the center hump for the t-case shifter and maybe drill the holes for the 73 bed. I did the exact same swap with my old truck to get around CA smog laws.