2wd to 4wd conversion

[Bullnosefan95]

Hello all, I am looking to convert my 86 f250 to 4wd, I plan to keep the twin I beam suspension for ease and because I don’t do a lot of Off roading. Mostly for when I hit the snow during some months of the year or if I go camping in the mountains. I found a twin I beam diesel rated 4x4 set online from a private seller and want to be sure that it should basically just bolt up and will be good? Obviously have to do t-case and so on but I want to be sure I’ll be good on the front end. Thanks.

[salans7]

It will NOT bolt up. The 4x2 frame is different from the 4x4 frame on a 3/4 ton and one ton truck. The pivot brackets are in different places, the frame isn't set up for the leaf springs, etc. I crossed this road with my F350, but ultimately I went with a straight axle and had to do some fab work to modify the frame to work with leaf springs.

 

[Gary Lewis]

It will NOT bolt up. The 4x2 frame is different from the 4x4 frame on a 3/4 ton and one ton truck. The pivot brackets are in different places, the frame isn't set up for the leaf springs, etc. I crossed this road with my F350, but ultimately I went with a straight axle and had to do some fab work to modify the frame to work with leaf springs.

Thanks, Shaun.

There's more info on the options discussed in the New Member New Build, Looking For Directions thread. And in Converting 87-96 Trucks To Bullnoses. And Am I Asking For Trouble Attempting A 4wd Swap On A 2wd F250?

Those threads should help you understand what the problems and options are. Let us know what you decide, please.

[Gary Lewis]

Thanks, Shaun.There's more info on the options discussed in the New Member New Build, Looking For Directions thread. And in Converting 87-96 Trucks To Bullnoses. And Am I Asking For Trouble Attempting A 4wd Swap On A 2wd F250?Those threads should help you understand what the problems and options are. Let us know what you decide, please.

Oh, and I should have said I really do NOT like the leaf-sprung F250 4wd suspension. Big Blue, which had new springs up front, rode really poorly. REALLY poorly. As in, you made sure your mouth was closed before hitting bumps for fear your teeth would chip hitting each other.

 

The issue is that the swinging TTB's are trying to twist the springs as well as compress them. It just doesn't work well at all. Coil-sprung TTB's work really well, and leaf-sprung solid axles work well. But not so leaf-sprung TTB's.

 

As a comparison, Big Blue's original front suspension had about 2" of travel from full droop to full compression. But with the D50, RSK, SD spring combo it now has 7 1/2" of travel. And that makes a HUGE difference in the ride.

 

I'm not trying to talk you out of the 4wd conversion, but I do think you should know what you are going to get with all the cost and effort.

[Bullnosefan95]

Oh, and I should have said I really do NOT like the leaf-sprung F250 4wd suspension. Big Blue, which had new springs up front, rode really poorly. REALLY poorly. As in, you made sure your mouth was closed before hitting bumps for fear your teeth would chip hitting each other.

 

The issue is that the swinging TTB's are trying to twist the springs as well as compress them. It just doesn't work well at all. Coil-sprung TTB's work really well, and leaf-sprung solid axles work well. But not so leaf-sprung TTB's.

 

As a comparison, Big Blue's original front suspension had about 2" of travel from full droop to full compression. But with the D50, RSK, SD spring combo it now has 7 1/2" of travel. And that makes a HUGE difference in the ride.

 

I'm not trying to talk you out of the 4wd conversion, but I do think you should know what you are going to get with all the cost and effort.

Ok it has definitely opened my eyes to know what I should be doing. I wanted to get out of doing a D60 due to cost but nothing against saving money for it

[Gary Lewis]

Ok it has definitely opened my eyes to know what I should be doing. I wanted to get out of doing a D60 due to cost but nothing against saving money for it

If an F250 TTB was a bolt-in and cheap the bad ride might be acceptable. But it is far from bolt-in and not cheap. So, to me, that is three strikes against it.

Sorry to rain on your parade. But far better to know up front.

[salans7]

If an F250 TTB was a bolt-in and cheap the bad ride might be acceptable. But it is far from bolt-in and not cheap. So, to me, that is three strikes against it.

Sorry to rain on your parade. But far better to know up front.

I struggled hard as well when it came to what options to go. But the more I researched, the more I realized that the straight axle was the better way to go.

[Bullnosefan95]

I struggled hard as well when it came to what options to go. But the more I researched, the more I realized that the straight axle was the better way to go.

I think the hardest obstacle I have to face is the wife. She firmly believes the truck belongs at pick n pull, even though I tell her it’s never going to happen haha.

[Gary Lewis]

I think the hardest obstacle I have to face is the wife. She firmly believes the truck belongs at pick n pull, even though I tell her it’s never going to happen haha.

Hey, many of my trucks have been to the pick & pull, and they’ve come home loaded. Good idea!

[salans7]

Hey, many of my trucks have been to the pick & pull, and they’ve come home loaded. Good idea!

I have parts from the pick and pull on all of my trucks. Both my old F150 and my current F350 have been primarily built out of parts from the pick and pull, or from parts trucks I bought that should have been at the pick and pull.