bumblebeer
Registered User
I've been looking a while for an idi with a 5 speed 4x4 that's in decent shape. With a decent price. Haven't had any luck. So I'm seriously considering buying a truck with the intention of doing a 4x4 conversion.
I was wondering what would be the best truck configuration to start with.
F-450 (super duty) are plentiful 'round here and generally in good shape. Probably cause they're built like tanks. The prices are usually reasonable to boot. I know they already have the 4x4 transmission. But finding a 10 lug front axle seems to be nigh impossible. So I'd be looking at replacing front and rear axles. Or have mismatched wheels. Then I'd need to actually get new wheels for the 8 lugs. And... I'd need to use an after market parking brick (not a typo ). Etc, etc, seems to kinda snowball.
On the other hand, there is an '87 f-350 nearby with a zf5 that looks to be in really good shape. And as I understand it, that last year of the 6.9 is about as good as idis get. I read somewhere that the 4x4 and 2x4 frames are exactly the same. Would it be as simple as riping the front end out of a '87-'97 and bolting straight in? Then of course I'd still need a 4x4 zf5, transfer case, and driveshafts. I don't mind a lot of take this out put this in kinda work. I just don't want to get into a bunch of fabrication.
Having said all that, I do realize I would be much better off just to wait and find a 5 spd 4x4 like I want. But think about all the fun I could be having driving around in my idi to look at parts and donor trucks to make the conversion happen!
Thoughts, experiences, and attempts to talk me out of this are all welcome!
I was wondering what would be the best truck configuration to start with.
F-450 (super duty) are plentiful 'round here and generally in good shape. Probably cause they're built like tanks. The prices are usually reasonable to boot. I know they already have the 4x4 transmission. But finding a 10 lug front axle seems to be nigh impossible. So I'd be looking at replacing front and rear axles. Or have mismatched wheels. Then I'd need to actually get new wheels for the 8 lugs. And... I'd need to use an after market parking brick (not a typo ). Etc, etc, seems to kinda snowball.
On the other hand, there is an '87 f-350 nearby with a zf5 that looks to be in really good shape. And as I understand it, that last year of the 6.9 is about as good as idis get. I read somewhere that the 4x4 and 2x4 frames are exactly the same. Would it be as simple as riping the front end out of a '87-'97 and bolting straight in? Then of course I'd still need a 4x4 zf5, transfer case, and driveshafts. I don't mind a lot of take this out put this in kinda work. I just don't want to get into a bunch of fabrication.
Having said all that, I do realize I would be much better off just to wait and find a 5 spd 4x4 like I want. But think about all the fun I could be having driving around in my idi to look at parts and donor trucks to make the conversion happen!
Thoughts, experiences, and attempts to talk me out of this are all welcome!