4x4 swap question

jwalterus · Aug 23, 2017

Dude, where's the rust?
Your friggin' wheel wells are intact even...... ;Poke

(yes I see the bubbles, but there aren't gaping holes)

Body swap is easier than driveline IMHO, but why would you want to make the "pretty truck" your winter driver?
If anything, I'd find a rustbucket donor and yank the parts from that, that way should anything go wrong, you don't have both trucks out of commision. ;Sweet

Dieselcrawler · Aug 23, 2017

I can do the compete swap in one weekend. That includes removal of all 2wd stuff. I find it much easier than a cab swap. Picking up a cab is challenging for one person working with no lift. I manhandle the axles and such around and get them in.

Dieselcrawler · Aug 23, 2017

What really sucks is all my photos are gone. I still have them, will redo the post when I get time

93fordturbo · Aug 23, 2017

Ok, yeah I was wondering if it was my phone or something that I couldn't see the photos. What should I start with first diesel crawler? I think I can figure out pulling and replacing and matching holes and drilling I just need a starting point

saburai · Aug 23, 2017

Dieselcrawler said:
What really sucks is all my photos are gone. I still have them, will redo the post when I get time

Please do!

snicklas · Aug 23, 2017

93fordturbo said:
Does anyone know if the bolt holes are there or if there will be doing on the frame.

The factory two wheel drive WILL NOT have all the bolt holes. You will be drilling holes in the frame, at least 6-8. There are a couple holes that match up. Plus you have to do something with the front of the frame where the springs mount. The 4x4 is boxed up there, I believe, but the two wheel drive is not.

I also have to agree with others, I wouldn't take a nice rust free truck and make it a winter beater. I'd fix the rusty one and run it into the ground and enjoy the nice truck for many more years......

I would love a rust free bullnose, and drive my "well ventilated" OBS when it's nasty.....

IDIoit · Aug 23, 2017

as far as order of operation, depending on equipment,
I would do the ZF swap first.
once you 4x your truck, youll have a few more inches to lift that heavy *******.
its always easier closest to the ground.

chillman88 · Aug 23, 2017

IDIoit said:
as far as order of operation, depending on equipment,
I would do the ZF swap first.
once you 4x your truck, youll have a few more inches to lift that heavy *******.
its always easier closest to the ground.

I'll second this. You can run the truck in 2wd with the ZF5 in. Then when the axle is in you'll only have the front driveshaft left to put in!

riotwarrior · Aug 23, 2017

Let me get this straight...u have 2wd w good body n 4wd w crap body...

Pull body off 4x...scrap it out keeping what u need..in other words everything for duration of project...

Swap good body ONTO 4x.....myself I would do that before chassis and driveline swap.....you get time clean paint frame and such...make a much nicer truck in end..

May seem harder but really it isnt.

JM7.3CW Eh!

Dieselcrawler · Aug 23, 2017

Or do what the experts above say that have not done 8 2wd to 4wd swaps. Your call.

riotwarrior · Aug 23, 2017

Dieselcrawler said:
Or do what the experts above say that have not done 8 2wd to 4wd swaps. Your call.

No I have not done as many the 2 -4 wd swaps...but cab swaps and body swaps are not that hard even for those without farm equipmsnt...camper jacks are awesome to lift bodies...heck floor jacks and pallets work...roll chassis out...roll chassis in drop n go...

Suppose depends on what 1 is more comfortable w eh???

One is direct bolt in swap....one is not...

Just sayin

jwalterus · Aug 23, 2017

riotwarrior said:
..camper jacks are awesome to lift bodies...heck floor jacks and pallets work...roll chassis out...roll chassis in drop n go...

Or a stack of concrete blocks and a farm jack.... A couple sawhorses and a 2x12...... 3 buddies and a case of beer.... the best one is 4 buddies and a case of beer, then you don't even have to help lift! :rotflmao

Thewespaul · Aug 23, 2017

Why not swap the cab on the 4x4 truck and then swap everything back on the 2wd chassis and you tell us what's harder? :joker:

93fordturbo · Aug 23, 2017

I'm swapping to 4x4 because I only need one ccdrw. One is enough to maintain. I'd rather put all my marbles in one. I'll do the 4x4 swap over the body swap because I have everything right there and a perfect reference right beside it. I'm still not going to drive it much in the winter, especially during the worst salt months. Just use it for hunting and other stuff. I'll get a newer truck maybe for a daily driver. Not sure. I want to see how reliable I can make this one. Thanks for all the replies! I love the feedback

93fordturbo · Aug 24, 2017

Are there any special tools I will need? I'm hoping to get labor day week off, meaning I should have ample time to do swap I hope. Diesel crawler, was that two 8 hour days that it took you or more like 2 FULL days. As far as moving stuff around like the transmission, I will have a floor Jack. Will that suffice or will I need something different. Something I can make? Or rent?

4x4 swap question

jwalterus

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