Converting to 4x4

[biggs92EB]

Hi all, ive had a 66 ford f-100 now for a few years, its 2wd with a HP 390 in it, 4-sp w/ granny, ford 9', well i havnt been doing squat with it. So what i want to do is convert it to 4wd and make a beast out of it. I have all of the resources to get parts, but dont know what kind of front end i should put in, or transfer. the 390 is puttin out an estimated 375 hp, so i need some beefy stuff. Im thinkin 35' tires is all i want. i have a pic of it in my photo gallery. I'm really stoked about the whole idea of this because i dont give a rats ass if i dent it, scratch it or anything like that, unlike my X. Any suggestions would be appreciated. Anyone did something like this? Was it hell?

 

[Brian1]

Sounds like a cool project. You need to consider a few things. First, how much money do you want to put in it? What type of wheeling - mud, rocks, sand?

If 35's are as big as you want to go I would use a dana 44 8 lug from a 3/4 ton chevy or ford. If you have the money get a dana 60. Do a cross-over conversion for steering and convert it to power with a saginaw box if it isnt already. As for the t-case I think it would be cool to put in a np203/205 doubler. Check out http://www.offroaddesign.com/ for info on the doubler. It is a little spendy but would work good. You may need an adapter or different output from your tranny to bolt on a t-case. I dont really know. The 9" will work but if you want beef use a dana 60 or better yet a Corp 14 bolt from a chevy in the rear. Convert it to disc brakes.

I am building a 42 jeep from the ground up and it is alot of work and I have been building off and on for 3+ years and I still have a way to go on it but it will be worth it in the end and like you I can bash it to hell and I wont care because it isnt my Explorer getting the damage.

Good luck!

 

[VBVA]

Why not make it a desert pre-runner built for speed?

 

[biggs92EB]

thanks, i think this thing is too heavy in the front to be a prerunner, although it is awful fast:smoke:, as far as getting dana 60's, no prob. My best friend is the manager for a truck wrecking yard. He is also the one that has me wanting to do this project. This old f100 has a twin I beam in the front, is that gonna make this swap any harder? Is the NP203/205 a unmarried transfer? I feel like a kid in a candy store when i go to the wrecking yard. I am goin tonight, we are gonna pull the front end out of a dodge ram cummins for the front (dana 60 for 100$) should i use the leafs too? I know im jumpin in over my head but thats ok, thats why its a project.

 

[Brian1]

Damnit! I need a friend who owns a wrecking yard! That is sweet. Want to ship a D60 my way

Anyway the doubler is a married setup but if you dont want to spend the $ for it you might come up with a way to make it unmarried. I think the leaves from the 1 ton truck would be too stiff, maybe 3/4 ton leaves would be better with the weight of the engine and still having flex.

 

[jimbo74]

cool.... wehre exactly is biggs, ca?

 

[dogfriend]

Its between Yuba City and Oroville. Its just north of Gridley CA

(I had to look it up, though)

 

[biggs92EB]

LOL Biggs has a population of 1550. We are lucky we even have a place on the map, but last year we almost got our name changed to "Got Milk?" Thank god we didnt, anyways gridley is where the wrecking yard is, and where i am going to have to go to work, i got laid off of work today. So looks like i might be gettin a better deal on parts then i originally thought. Brian1, this might work out for all of us Im still a little bummed about losin the job i have now though. Ive been here 3 years and had a comfortable position. You all have a nice day. Weird, its been over 100 degrees for the past month, today it is raining?

 

[section525]

Weird, its been over 100 degrees for the past month, today it is raining?

Yeah it is. The day I get done workin for the month its no longer 108! WTF?!

So... you guys have any 2nd gen Explorers at this yard??

 

[dogfriend]

Bring on the rain!

It was blazing hot here last week, no delta breeze to cool things off at night.

Plus the air looks like crap around here.

 

[biggs92EB]

section im not sure yet, but my buddy does all of the bidding on the trucks they buy from auctions, so i'll have a little influence im sure And it is still fricken hot! just raining too ?

 

[section525]

Yeah.. its warm.. but not like is was the last week or so. We had our motox event up in Red Bluff last weekend so I've been out in the sun working from the 8th till yesterday! Well, if you want to call workin on a motocross track workin.

But yeah, since youre down the road a few miles, keep me updated on your instock explorers!

 

[biggs92EB]

will do section. Sounds like you got it pretty rough! lol