79 Ford 4x4 to a 86 2wd swap?

[Ladman]

I have a 1986 ford F150 that is 2wd. i am getting a 1979 ford f150 with a 351m, dana 44 front and 9 inch rear with a np205 transfer case. will i beable to swap all the 4x4 suspension parts over with minimal trouble. i know that the 2wd and the 4wd frames are built alittle differently, but i just want to do it for the traction not the ride hight. Is it possible to do?

 

[JLDickmon]

why swap and entire frame/driveline when you can just swap and engine and some sheetmetal?

 

[Ladman]

i dont want the frame or the sheet metel, i just want the 4wd

 

[flatlander]

When I took the rear end out of a 75 ford to build for my 84, I had to move the spring perches and shock mounts. Overall width was the same.

Dont know about the front end.

 

[subway]

you aren't talking a quick bolt in unfortunately, the frames are different widths between the two body styles. IIRC the 2x4 frame has a massive crossmember under the engine that would get in the way of a front axle without at least allot of cutting or allot of lift to clear.

personally i would at least find a truck from your generation to help ease allot the little problems.

 

[MUDKICKR]

since you have a 86 f150 and you want to swap it with a 4wd frt axle i think i might be able to help. i have done this swap twice. the 81 to 96 f150 frames are the same for 2wd and 4wd. that being said if you get a ttb dana 44 frt axle it will bolt right in with no problems at all. but with the solid frt axle you will have some fitment problems. your best bet is to get a ttb dana44 from a 83 to 96 f150 and it will be a complete bolt in. now if you want the solid frt axle you will have to modify the radius arm brackets from the 79 to fit your frame. the 86 springs will work but you will have to do some modifing for your shock placement. what trans do you have in the 86?

 

[MUDKICKR]

also one thing you are going to get into, all ford f150/f250/f350 2wd runs coil springs in the frt(im not counting the superduty with the monobeam frt end) is yours a f250/f350? if so you can still run a f150 ttb frt end, but it would be a five lug, the ttb dana 44 had two versions light duty and heavy duty, light duty is 5 lug, heavy duty is 8 lug, you might be able to switch the knuckles around to get 8 lug but im not sure. but id like to know