Converting to 4wd which axle

[Zukinut]

The build is starting. The longterm plan for my 68 F350 is converting to 4wd, putting in a cummins and a late model NV4500 or 6spd.

My question is, did ford make a factory F350 4wd in the bump/dentside years. If not can I get a F250 front axle and convert it to dually outers? Or must I get a late model F350 axle. I wanna start looking for parts now but I need to know what to look for.

Does anybody have any experience with this. Does anybody have any of these parts?

Thanks in advance,
Will

[averagef250]

The first F-350 4x4 was made in 1979 and was the same truck as the 78-79 F-250 4x4, but with a higher GVW on the door tag and a HP Dana 60 front axle standard instead of optional like on the F-250 of the same year.

There never was a Dually Dana 44 front axle.

[Zukinut]

That's what I thought but wasn't sure.

Will my 2wd dually adapters work on a 4wd axle. If not what parts will I need. I have found very little info on this. Also is there a vendor that would have the frame brackets etc that I'll need for the swap?

Dustin, I'll also be in touch with you for cummins swap parts in the near future.

Thanks in advance
Will

[71PA_Highboy]

You need to find a 78/9 D60. it is a near bolt in swap.

If you can't find one, let me know... I have a line a couple and I don't really need them...

Where are you located?

[Hawkrod]

You need to find a 78/9 D60. it is a near bolt in swap.

If you can't find one, let me know... I have a line a couple and I don't really need them...

Where are you located?

I am sorry but it is nowhere near a bolt in swap. Converting a twin I beam to a 4X4 is a big project no matter what axle you use. Hawkrod

[71PA_Highboy]

You are correct. My mistake was thinking it was already 4WD...

I sit corrected.

Anyway, you CAN use radius arms on these and the mod becomes easier....

[Zukinut]

I built my rock buggy from scratch. I know i have the ability to make certain mods, but there comes a point where it is easier to put my cab on a 4wd frame.

Im most concerned with front spring hangers. Will the frame hangers from a 4wd come even remotely close to "bolting" onto a 2wd frame?

What are the major differences in the frames. Ive done some searching but not really finding any specifics, just that they are different.

Thanks again
Will

[Hawkrod]

I built my rock buggy from scratch. I know i have the ability to make certain mods, but there comes a point where it is easier to put my cab on a 4wd frame.

Im most concerned with front spring hangers. Will the frame hangers from a 4wd come even remotely close to "bolting" onto a 2wd frame?

What are the major differences in the frames. Ive done some searching but not really finding any specifics, just that they are different.

Thanks again
Will

From the cab forward there is no metal on a 2WD frame that matches a 4X4 frame. Kind of like the difference between a Corvette and a Chevette, they are both made by Chevy but that is pretty much the end of the resemblence! LOL Hawkrod

[averagef250]

From the cab forward there is no metal on a 2WD frame that matches a 4X4 frame. Kind of like the difference between a Corvette and a Chevette, they are both made by Chevy but that is pretty much the end of the resemblence! LOL Hawkrod

The F-350 2wd frame rails from 67-79 are almost identical to the 67-77.5 F-250 4x4 frame rails. Primary difference between the two being the bolt holes for the 2wd steering box in the 2wd frame and the lack of the sector hole and upturned frame lip for the 4x4 steering box.

The rivet holes for the 4x4 front crossmember are present in most F-350 2wd frames.

Cut the 2wd crossmembers forward of the firewall out and you have a blank slate for 4x4 front suspension. You have to cut the 4x4 crossmember out to install a 5.9 Cummins anyway.

[Hawkrod]

From the cab forward there is no metal on a 2WD frame that matches a 4X4 frame. Kind of like the difference between a Corvette and a Chevette, they are both made by Chevy but that is pretty much the end of the resemblence! LOL Hawkrod

The F-350 2wd frame rails from 67-79 are almost identical to the 67-77.5 F-250 4x4 frame rails. Primary difference between the two being the bolt holes for the 2wd steering box in the 2wd frame and the lack of the sector hole and upturned frame lip for the 4x4 steering box.

The rivet holes for the 4x4 front crossmember are present in most F-350 2wd frames.

Cut the 2wd crossmembers forward of the firewall out and you have a blank slate for 4x4 front suspension. You have to cut the 4x4 crossmember out to install a 5.9 Cummins anyway.

I disagree, only the outer rails are similar but none of the internal parts are the same. It isn't just the crossmember that is different, it is also all of the front rail boxing that is completely different and you need to remove it from the old frame and fab it up or find a donor to remove it from. If you had a front section from a 4X4 frame you could switch it all but it isn't just a case of bolting in a crossmember and calling it good. A memeber documented this here years ago: http://www.fordification.com/forum/view ... &sk=t&sd=a. He did it but it was far from a simple weekend task. Hawkrod

[Zukinut]

Looked at the diagrams found on this forum. While different they are similar enough to "make it work". The front crossmember alsi looks to be the sane or very similar, although i could be wrong. After building the suspension and frame for the buggy I can tell that this will be easier. And considering that I'm gonna put the cummins in, nothing is going to be easy. I wa afraid the frame in the front was narrower and mounting springs was gonna suck. Is the steering column

Thanks again for all the help.
Will

[averagef250]

I disagree, only the outer rails are similar but none of the internal parts are the same. It isn't just the crossmember that is different, it is also all of the front rail boxing that is completely different and you need to remove it from the old frame and fab it up or find a donor to remove it from. If you had a front section from a 4X4 frame you could switch it all but it isn't just a case of bolting in a crossmember and calling it good. A memeber documented this here years ago: http://www.fordification.com/forum/view ... &sk=t&sd=a. He did it but it was far from a simple weekend task. Hawkrod

I'm not following you here.

I stated the frame rails are nearly identical which helps since you end up cutting all the stuff off the frame rails to install a 5.9 Cummins.

I've also documented the process on this site with a 78 F-350 2wd crew to leaf spring 4x4 I did in 2007.

[Zukinut]

Averagef250

Thanks for documenting that. I'm gonna spend a good amount of time studying it.

Will

[Zukinut]

Are the 73-77 Dentside F250 4x4 trucks the same crossmembers as the ones from a bump?

Will

[averagef250]

Are the 73-77 Dentside F250 4x4 trucks the same crossmembers as the ones from a bump?

Will

Yes. The 67-77.5 F-250 4x4 frames are very similar. The only real difference is the wheelbase grew a couple inches in 73.

I'm figuring your asking about 4x4 stuff here. You gotta be sure to specify since the 2wd stuff is completely different.