Don't know where to post or what to do?

[fencepost0_1]

Don't know where to post or what to do? Says no tech questions but there will be one in here sorry. I've read all the posts about the 4x4 swap from 2-4. Frame swap is the route I would go rear end moved up no problem. Here is the real problem. I want to do somthing with this truck I have thought about this swap a long time and am off and on about it. I know it's just a truck but I learned to drive in it, my brother learned to drive in it, and the man who owned was and is a MAJOR influence in my life then and still even now. It was gave to me by grandmother after my PawPaws death, he pretty much raised my. I beleive I have never painted the truck because I always remebered it as being rusty, even though I was apainter for 7 years and still paint off and on now. I have converted it to power steering and power disc, and will be moveing the gas tank to the rear rails with an after market gauge cluster, I still have the factory one in my shop. If I swap I will purchase a donor truck and keep my factory rails so I can go back 2wd if I want, I lnow sounds dum. I don't want it lowered I can't use it then but would like to have a 4x4 or at least 33" tires. I attached a link with pics below. Mods feel free to move this if needed. 3 questions left

1. Will my 302 and auto tranny bolt to the 74-79 transfer case?
2. Will I have to cut or bend anything on the truck body to make it work?
3. What would you do?

http://www.fordification.com/forum/view ... =1&t=52952

[SteveC]

1. you need to have a transmission that would bolt to your engine from 4x4 truck with the same transfer case. though if it was a f250 with a divorced transfer case you could have a shaft made.
2. i didnt have to bend anything when i went from my 67 to the 74 frame i had to mark and drill a few holes in the radiator support.
3. In some ways i look back and regret swapping but whats done is done. i still have a cool 4x4 truck. Its up to you really.

[basketcase0302]

fencepost,
There's about to be a can of worms opened up here, so I'll go ahead and do it.
The 4 X 4 conversion is not easy as Steve said above, yet there are several "diehards" here who have done it (and a few like me who have it on the "wish list").
It's a lot of work on the front frame rail area to box in the frame for the suspension as well as the steering gear, (IMO unless your very mechanically inclined and have a lot of tools/don't even try it).
Much easier to drop the body onto a dentside 4 X 4 chassis and be done with it.

[fencepost0_1]

fencepost,
There's about to be a can of worms opened up here, so I'll go ahead and do it.
The 4 X 4 conversion is not easy as Steve said above, yet there are several "diehards" here who have done it (and a few like me who have it on the "wish list").
It's a lot of work on the front frame rail area to box in the frame for the suspension as well as the steering gear, (IMO unless your very mechanically inclined and have a lot of tools/don't even try it).
Much easier to drop the body onto a dentside 4 X 4 chassis and be done with it.

Must not have read my post very well . Thats not what I was asking about. I asked If my 302 and tranny would bolt to the transfer case and motor mounts of say....... a 79 4x4 with a 400m and auto tranny. My motor and tranny are new. I'm not going to butcher my 2wd frame. I have not found a detailed thread where somone done a body to 4x4 frame swap with pics. If I do it it will be a body to 4x4 frame swap not a modify 2wd frame to 4x4 . Some links and some opinions along with some answers from some people who have made the swap and how they felt about it.

[ford4x4fun]

Let me see if I can find my link. I did a 2wd to 4wd body swap. It was easy really. I am not a super mechanic or anything like that, but I think my swap came out good.

Here is a link to my photobucket album to show you how high tech my swap was.

http://s184.photobucket.com/albums/x298 ... 20Project/

[mlheppl]

If you use a divorced transfer case, you can keep your C4 tranny. I'm not aware of a output shaft for the C4 for bolting up to a mated transfer case. Just an opinion here, but I've never felt that the 302 was a good choice for a 4X4. I think the 302 was one of the best motors that Ford ever made, just not a fan of it in a 4X4. That being said, it doesn't matter what motors in front of the tranny in terms of will it work for the conversion you're talking about.

[fencepost0_1]

Let me see if I can find my link. I did a 2wd to 4wd body swap. It was easy really. I am not a super mechanic or anything like that, but I think my swap came out good.

Here is a link to my photobucket album to show you how high tech my swap was.

http://s184.photobucket.com/albums/x298 ... 20Project/

Just looking at the photos it appears your donor truck is the same year or very close to the same year. I have just started looking but have been unable to find a LWB 4x4 in the 69-72 year model. I have found a 78 4x4 LWB which is reasonably priced considering I'm going to junk every thing but the running gear. I have read that the later 70's frames were slightly longer and the rear does not set center in the wheel well. I do have the ability to relocate the rear axle if needed, just wanted to here from somone who has swapped to newer frame if they relocated the axle and had some measurements. Also have read the rear cab mounts are different for say a 70 cab to 78 frame. Is this so? Not a big deal if it is just wanted to know for sure and what the sulusion was. I really don't want to put the cab on the frame and then take it off so I can fab up mounts want to have donor frame completely done and painted then swap over painted body and go.

[fencepost0_1]

If you use a divorced transfer case, you can keep your C4 tranny. I'm not aware of a output shaft for the C4 for bolting up to a mated transfer case. Just an opinion here, but I've never felt that the 302 was a good choice for a 4X4. I think the 302 was one of the best motors that Ford ever made, just not a fan of it in a 4X4. That being said, it doesn't matter what motors in front of the tranny in terms of will it work for the conversion you're talking about.

Wasn't sure if Ford was like Chevy in that you cuold unbolt the tail shaft and bolt tranny directly to transfer case or not. So the 302 should drop right in using the 400 motor mounts? . Your right a 351 or bigger would be a better engine but the motor I have is new, Chevy put 305's in 4x4's and did ok. It's not a stock 302 anyways I've added a torqer cam, and 4 barrel, 30 over with same Mustang heads has goo bottom end torque curve. Plus even though I'm thinking of converting the truck over I still don't want to change it to much as it is a family airloom of sorts. Not ssure how the family will like it if I do the swap. I know it's just a truck, but it has ALOT of centamental value to me. Raelly wish I could find a 70 model donor truck.

[mlheppl]

I don't know from experience, but I doubt that the 302 will bolt up to the 400 motor mounts. Again just a guess, but you might be able to pull your 302 motor mounts and install them on the new frame. I'm not positive on this though.

[fencepost0_1]

I don't know from experience, but I doubt that the 302 will bolt up to the 400 motor mounts. Again just a guess, but you might be able to pull your 302 motor mounts and install them on the new frame. I'm not positive on this though.

That would be fine too. Now if I can just get some more info on the rear axle location and how folks mounted the front bumper on an odd year swap, meaning cab and donor frame are not the same years. Just want to get this worked out on paper so there are not to manny suprises when I start. If I start at all. pretty straight forward swap. does anybody have on these things below.

1. Using a 79 4x4 frame and 70 cab does the front bumper just bolt up nothing is off cilter?
2. Using a 79 4x4 frame and 70 cab are there any issues with cab mounts?
3. Using a 79 4x4 frame and 70 cab do I have to move the rear axle forward and if so how much?

[ford4x4fun]

As far as centering the bed, you can move it back a hair leaving a bigger gap betwean the bed and the cab. Doesn't look to bad if you do it that way. If I recall the I think the cab will bolt right up. You might have to drill new holes, but they should have a dimple. Someone will correct me on this if I am wrong. I think the bumper will mount up too. But again if I am wrong than someone will let you know. My swap was from a 71 frame to a 72 4x4 frame, so I didn't have these questions. Hope this helps!

[fencepost0_1]

I want to say thanks for all the help and replies but I just can't bring myself to swap the frame. It's a mental thing being it was my grandfather's truck and all. I may go with the CV swap and keep all the parts to go back if I want some day but the 4x4 frame swap would make it to much of a different truck. Other than driving and stopping like a new car the CV swap would still keep the factory apperance on the outside and I can add a spacer between the rail and CV unit to make up for the drop. Heck with the DONK lifts I could still make it look like a 4x4 .