4x4 conversion questions !?!

Buckeyesfan612 · 06-25-2007, 10:23 PM

I have a 92 F150, which is currently 4x2. I have a chance to buy a 93 f250 4x4 really cheap. The reason it is cheap is because it has a cracked frame. Can I still use this vehicle for the conversion? My dad can welding almost anything so, is it possible to repair the frame? Also, am I going to run into any problems because it is a F250, or are the dimensions the same. The seller says that the 351, trans. and 4x4 works fine. Thanks for the advice and help -Raymond (Buckeyesfan612)

75K30 · 06-25-2007, 10:51 PM

All right. Here is the deal here. The F 250 has a leaf sprung TTb front axle. I believe it is a D44. Not a bad set-up but a very weak one. The F150 also has a TTb frony axle, but is not a leaf sprung front end, and is only a half ton unit, so the mounts are just a tad different.
However you do have some of the maikings for a decent ride, but it is goung to be a whole bunch of work, and maybe not worth the hassle.
By the time you decide which spring configuration you are going to use, and get herr all bolted up, you could very well have just found a solid front axle from a 78 or 79 bronco, or F150, and bolt up that stuff. It would be easier to do, and would be a stronger more desireable build. In fact, if you could find a bronco or truck of those years, you could use most of the stuff already there. The spring buckets, the radius arms, the crossmember, the transfer case (cast iron NP 205, very desireable) would just about bolt right in. You would only have to fab up a mount for the trac bar and modify the front crossmember, or run a 6" lift or more.

Now, as far as welding the frame, repairs are made quite often, and ifdone propeerly, with some additional support might just survive. Heak guys stretch frames, and tie in sections all of the time with litle problems. Now one of my deciding factors would be where the crack in the frame was. If it was not a critical area, that could be looked at every now and again, Iwould feel pretty comfortable fixing the 250, and driving it like a rental!!!

bradrhale · 06-26-2007, 03:21 PM

i would be half worried about welding on the frame too much. what caused it to crack?? the last time i had a frame straightened, professionally, it set me back 500.

Ford4x4Chik27 · 06-27-2007, 05:51 PM

EH YUCK... just torch out the TTB and slap in a leaf sprung axle from a pre-80 f-250... It's very easy (I've done it) and it's low maintenence

And better for wheelin if you're gonna go through all that!

06-25-2007, 10:23 PM	#1
Buckeyesfan612 Junior Member Join Date: Jan 2007 Posts: 2	4x4 conversion questions !?! I have a 92 F150, which is currently 4x2. I have a chance to buy a 93 f250 4x4 really cheap. The reason it is cheap is because it has a cracked frame. Can I still use this vehicle for the conversion? My dad can welding almost anything so, is it possible to repair the frame? Also, am I going to run into any problems because it is a F250, or are the dimensions the same. The seller says that the 351, trans. and 4x4 works fine. Thanks for the advice and help -Raymond (Buckeyesfan612)

06-27-2007, 05:51 PM	#4
Ford4x4Chik27 Senior Member Join Date: Sep 2004 Location: Sac-Town, Cali Posts: 1,585	EH YUCK... just torch out the TTB and slap in a leaf sprung axle from a pre-80 f-250... It's very easy (I've done it) and it's low maintenence And better for wheelin if you're gonna go through all that! __________________ '93 Isuzu Amigo, Toyota Axles/Tcase/Drivelines, 35" MTR's '01 Pathfinder, making a huge effort to keep it stock, since it's my DD

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06-25-2007, 10:51 PM	#2
75K30 Senior Member Join Date: Jul 2006 Posts: 2,992	All right. Here is the deal here. The F 250 has a leaf sprung TTb front axle. I believe it is a D44. Not a bad set-up but a very weak one. The F150 also has a TTb frony axle, but is not a leaf sprung front end, and is only a half ton unit, so the mounts are just a tad different. However you do have some of the maikings for a decent ride, but it is goung to be a whole bunch of work, and maybe not worth the hassle. By the time you decide which spring configuration you are going to use, and get herr all bolted up, you could very well have just found a solid front axle from a 78 or 79 bronco, or F150, and bolt up that stuff. It would be easier to do, and would be a stronger more desireable build. In fact, if you could find a bronco or truck of those years, you could use most of the stuff already there. The spring buckets, the radius arms, the crossmember, the transfer case (cast iron NP 205, very desireable) would just about bolt right in. You would only have to fab up a mount for the trac bar and modify the front crossmember, or run a 6" lift or more. Now, as far as welding the frame, repairs are made quite often, and ifdone propeerly, with some additional support might just survive. Heak guys stretch frames, and tie in sections all of the time with litle problems. Now one of my deciding factors would be where the crack in the frame was. If it was not a critical area, that could be looked at every now and again, Iwould feel pretty comfortable fixing the 250, and driving it like a rental!!!

06-26-2007, 03:21 PM	#3
bradrhale Senior Moderator Join Date: Apr 2006 Location: Texas Posts: 8,025	i would be half worried about welding on the frame too much. what caused it to crack?? the last time i had a frame straightened, professionally, it set me back 500.