4x4 conversion

draken · Post by **draken** » November 4, 2007, 2:34 pm

hello, i have a 1964 ford f100 2wd that i want to convert to a 4x4, i was wondering if the leafspring length, and width are the same as a 4wd and how i might need to modify the steering, my box is located behind the axle and has a draglink extending from the box to the front of the driver side spindle where it attaches to the hub, i have seen other 4wd trucks of my year with the same steering column angle and was wondering if the setup is the same, also do they make retrofit powersteering kits or could i just take one off a truck that had powersteering of that year, like a 1 ton, thank you

ICEMAN6166 · Post by **ICEMAN6166** » November 4, 2007, 3:04 pm

hello and welcome.

choices for turning a straight axle 2wd 61-64 into a 4x4 are very limited.
best choice is full body swap onto a 4x4 frame, 67-79. you will still need some mods but they are not too difficult.
you could find a 64 f100 4x4 but your bed will not match the frame length due to wheelbase and if you have a shortbed, no 4x4 shortbed frames.

the stock leaf springs are too thin to bolt up a front drive axle to without changing anything.also the later f100 front ends with 5 hole pattern are a radius arm/coil spring type.

also would need the transfer case crossmember from a later truck.

i have been building 4x4s for many years, its much easier and better to start with a 4x4 frame and add body.

just got done putting a 65 cab on a 72 4x4 frame you can see here some of the mods
[albumimg]2917[/albumimg]

[albumimg]565[/albumimg]

[albumimg]564[/albumimg]
[albumimg]563[/albumimg]

robert porterfield · Post by **robert porterfield** » November 4, 2007, 8:56 pm

just curios iceman why not use the 65 twin i beam cab on the 72 chassis that would have bolted on?.

ICEMAN6166 · Post by **ICEMAN6166** » November 4, 2007, 9:23 pm

robert porterfield wrote:just curios iceman why not use the 65 twin i beam cab on the 72 chassis that would have bolted on?.

yes that bolts right up.
i used the 65 f350 cab because i had a title and door tag for it, dont think i would go that way again due to the extra work involved.

draken · Post by **draken** » November 5, 2007, 7:31 pm

i could body swap but the thing is i want to make this truck look as stock as possible and if i body swap to a newer frame i would have to adjust the steering angle, therefore cutting a second hole in my cab and notching my dashbord, but i dont want to do that because the intirior is completly restored to factory origional, along with 80% of the rest of the truck, i did some reserching however and found the steering angle of a 4x4 of my year is identical, there is a draglink that goes from the box to the hub that would have to be replaced with a drop draglink, but as far as i can tell the rest would bolt up given the spring width is the same, only modification i would have to do is cut a couple small holes for the shifters and mount the transfercase crossmember and then adjust for drivelines, i want to try to find a 64 4x4 that i can just use as a parts truck from the local junk yard, maybe get lucky and find a highboy

Bill · Post by **Bill** » November 5, 2007, 7:53 pm

When I was looking for a rearend a few weeks ago I found this en ebay. auction # 170158744807 I will see if I still have the guys email address if interested pm me.
http://cgi.ebay.com/ebaymotors/ws/eBayI ... 44807&rd=1

ICEMAN6166 · Post by **ICEMAN6166** » November 5, 2007, 9:43 pm

Bill wrote:When I was looking for a rearend a few weeks ago I found this en ebay. auction # 170158744807 I will see if I still have the guys email address if interested pm me.
http://cgi.ebay.com/ebaymotors/ws/eBayI ... 44807&rd=1

that is definitely the way to go.your cab/bed will bolt right up, just like that uni would have. no messing around, no notching of dash or holes in floor and also use whatever engine you want. only non-original thing would be the 8 hole wheels on an f100 plus you get a beefier frame for the 4x4.