1969 2wd to 4wd conversion questions

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caseyj10
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1969 2wd to 4wd conversion questions

Post by caseyj10 »

Hey guys, there is a very good likelihood I will be buying a dana 44/60 combo and np435/205 combo to convert me truck with. I have a few questions about the swap. I know It would be easier to just buy a 4wd frame but I am not allowed to take up any more space so the only way to convert it is to do it myself. I'm not afraid. But I do want to know what steering box options I have since this will be custom. I'll probably come up with more questions bit that is my man one as of right now.
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Re: 1969 2wd to 4wd conversion questions

Post by caseyj10 »

Oh and the axels and trans/t-case are drone a 79 f250
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Re: 1969 2wd to 4wd conversion questions

Post by fordguy_78 »

73+ 100 150 4x4 box would be your best bet then maybe the box out of the 78/9 f250 4x4 or toyota box
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Re: 1969 2wd to 4wd conversion questions

Post by HIO Silver »

There is more to think about than just steering....Read these this article and thread for information, a warning, or perhaps motivation:

2WD to 4WD Conversion
4WOR Magazine: Project Two-by Four (4x4 Conversion)
FTE Thread: Quadrazer's F350- 2WD to 4WD Conversion...
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Re: 1969 2wd to 4wd conversion questions

Post by fordguy_78 »

if your sticking with leafs I don't see it being any harder than doing and sas on 80 up rig other than the steering. I would advise going to http://www.fullsizebronco.com and reading every thing is the sas section that has to do with leaf swap and see if your up for the task or not. And I know its not a bump but it was ttb so i didn't have to deal with the tras and transfer case side of things and it did become a bump just on whats left of a bronco frame.
Build a front cosmember
Image
bolt it in simple.
Image
Image

And using the right spring pack get lots of flex and a good ride, and if I had another person to take a picture it could park the front tier up on top and still have the other tier touching.
Image
Image
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Re: 1969 2wd to 4wd conversion questions

Post by caseyj10 »

Those pictures make me regret selling my bronco.... What springs did you use?
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Re: 1969 2wd to 4wd conversion questions

Post by fordguy_78 »

f150/ bronco rear springs up front.
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Re: 1969 2wd to 4wd conversion questions

Post by caseyj10 »

Stock or aftermarket? The complete pack or did you take any leaves out?
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Re: 1969 2wd to 4wd conversion questions

Post by fordguy_78 »

stock pack, you can play with it but most guys just run a set out of wrecking yard. Also another option is chev 63" rear leafs.
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Re: 1969 2wd to 4wd conversion questions

Post by averagef250 »

Rear pickup leafs up front are real sketchy up front if you drive it. They're great for offroad, but they don't have the stability you need for decent handling.

90's F series rear packs look the same and are the same length as highboy front springs. They also give about 5" lift over stock. The problem is your door will nearly kiss the ground when you try to climb in because the rate is fubar for the front.

Depends on what you want, but research your spring options before you decide. Work out what you want the truck to be good for. I like stiff springs that offer control and let the tires act as part of the suspension (which they are). A fullsize truck that articulates well is pretty useless as a truck, but fun as a toy.
1970 F-250 4x4 original Willock swivel frame chassis '93 5.9 Cummins/Getrag/NP205/HP60/D70
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Re: 1969 2wd to 4wd conversion questions

Post by fordguy_78 »

averagef250 wrote:Rear pickup leafs up front are real sketchy up front if you drive it. They're great for offroad, but they don't have the stability you need for decent handling.

90's F series rear packs look the same and are the same length as highboy front springs. They also give about 5" lift over stock. The problem is your door will nearly kiss the ground when you try to climb in because the rate is fubar for the front.

Depends on what you want, but research your spring options before you decide. Work out what you want the truck to be good for. I like stiff springs that offer control and let the tires act as part of the suspension (which they are). A fullsize truck that articulates well is pretty useless as a truck, but fun as a toy.
I daily drove that bronco like that with those leafs up front for almost 3 years and close to 40K in miles. Yes there was a ton of roll but the thing rode like a lincoln, and i'm not the only one to do this and there are quite a few guys who use there trucks and use those leafs. Here is one exaple off the top of my head 7.3 daily driven.
Image
and to quote that guy

Quote:
Originally Posted by Hasley84 View Post
How streetable is the rig? Could it knock down long distance's on the Highway?

I just think it would be nice to be able to have a rig that capable, that you could drive to the trails/desert.
I drove it to koh a few weeks ago. It will cruise on the fwy and doesn't wander that bad at all. It does get body roll if you try to throw it into a corner though.

Quote:
Originally Posted by AllGoNoShow View Post
Do the shocks really make that big of a difference in the trucks performance? In the you tube vid, it looks like the rear is bouncing some, and the front is really eating up the woops/bumps nicely. I guess my question for you is, do the shocks really make up a big difference? Sorry for the dumb questions. I have similar leafs on my truck and have been thinking about doing some high speed stuff.

My rear blows. Its bouncy and it rough as hell. The front stays planted and it smooth through almost anything. If I was to do more I'd want swaybars.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=JZB7fxtn ... qSUnTenccQ[/video]
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Re: 1969 2wd to 4wd conversion questions

Post by averagef250 »

To each his own. I spose the suspension articulation is pointless to me. My truck has a Willock frame. With stiff, comfy leafs I have had a rear tire over the roof of the cab and I've never gotten the 6" limit chains taught.

Funny to me all the stuff smart people have done before Youtube ever existed that most people don't realize.
1970 F-250 4x4 original Willock swivel frame chassis '93 5.9 Cummins/Getrag/NP205/HP60/D70
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Re: 1969 2wd to 4wd conversion questions

Post by fordguy_78 »

Suspension articulation would be the same as the willock idea except the suspension is doing all the work.
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Re: 1969 2wd to 4wd conversion questions

Post by averagef250 »

fordguy_78 wrote:Suspension articulation would be the same as the willock idea except the suspension is doing all the work.
It's quite a bit different actually. Not many people have driven a truck with a joint in the frame like this and it doesn't behave like most people think it does. Squishy springs handle on road driving poorly. Offroad suspension articulation puts the most pressure on the highest two tires. The jointed frame puts equal pressure on all tires.

You have to pick paths offroad a little differently because the front of the truck follows the terrain while the ass end does whatever it does. The rear of the truck can be 60 degrees from horizontal and there's no way you can roll.

On the road the joint isn't noticeable with normal front springs.
1970 F-250 4x4 original Willock swivel frame chassis '93 5.9 Cummins/Getrag/NP205/HP60/D70
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Re: 1969 2wd to 4wd conversion questions

Post by Superjunk »

Averagef250,do you have any pics of your frame on this site?If not,can you post a few with some info on it.

Thanks,John
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