Obs swap to bricknose

[quickster]

Hi folks, been a while. I have an opportunity to pick up a "97 f350 4x4 parts truck. I currently own 2 f350's. One is a 1991 2wd IDI and the second a 1997 2wd dump body with a gasser 5.8. The "97 parts truck has a 460 that is all good, but a rotted frame. This is what I'd like to do if possible
Take the 460 and all related electronics and put them in my "97. My truck has a zf5 trans, so all I need is a flywheel and clutch. That's what I'm thinking.
Take the trans, axle, transfer case, and all other related 4x4 parts and swap out the existing trans and do a 4x4 swap in the '91.
My question here is will the newer 4x4 parts work on my frame? The donor truck has a rebuilt e40d , the same as the '91. Is the frame the same for bolt holes to match up? Only 6 years difference, but I don't know.
And from what I've read, I could replace the front clip on the '91 to the '97 if I want also. I'll have headlight options.
My '91 runs so good that I would put in the time to do the swap. I need 4x4 for the winter.; I usually don't drive it in the snow because it's too light in the back. Any help would be appreciated. This could be a good deal for me if I can use everything. Thanks

 

[IDIBRONCO]

There's not enough material to redrill the bolt pattern on your 460 bellhousing to make the E4OD fit behind the IDI.

 

[quickster]

The donor truck has a e40d. The IDI e40d and the 460 e40d have different bell housings?

 

[IDIBRONCO]

The bolt patterns are different. I think the bottom two holes may line up. The middle ones are slightly off, while the top two are quite a ways off if I remember right. The 460 also uses7/16" bolts, while the IDI uses 1/2" bolts for the bellhousings.

 

[quickster]

Damn. I thought I might be able to make this work. Would you know if the tail section of the e40d's are removable? Maybe I can use my trans, but take the tailpiece that goes to the transfer case off the gasser trans.

 

[quickster]

Or are the cases solid and just totally different. I think I read a while back that the tails were removable.

 

[IDIBRONCO]

While the tailhousing should be removable, the main shaft inside is different between 4x2 and 4x4. You'd have to completely disassemble both then combine the parts. If both transmissions are good, maybe you could work out some kind of trade with somebody?

 

[quickster]

thanks for the help. Deciding if a motor swap or the 4x4 swap in the'97 is worth my time. Going to have to keep looking for a donor for the '91 idi.