:confused: First of all let me say this is one of the best sites on the web. I am currently building a 4x4 from my 78 ford f150 2wd. Lets start by telling about the truck. I purchased this 78 about 4 years ago. It has a 460, auto c6 tranny. Running gears are currently 3.73. This 78 is a camper special, that has air conditioning, cruise control, and a 4 core radiator that has been recently changed about 1500 miles ago. I purchased a 1975 f150 4x4 chassis. It has Dana 44 front-end 3.50 gears. Rear end gear ratio is also 3.50. Auto c6 tranny, have not yet looked to see what trans case is but am sure it is probably np205. When buying the chassis it has a 390 v8. Only tins on the chassis are a cab that has been stripped for all it is worth.

Information needed: will 460 bolt up to the 390-c6-bell housing? Will be using most all of the 78 ford components, if the tranny happens to bolt to the 460 should flywheel from the 460 be used? I also have an issue wither power steering. 75 ford chassis did not have any. Is there a kit that can be purchased to install power steering on this truck? Can the steering gearbox be used out of 2wd? Do I have to change the tie rod for this switch over? Would like to put a 4spd in this 78 build up; issue is finding one in Idaho. Checked all the local junkyards, auto body shops, and local mechanics, still no 4spd. Lets say I find a 4spd tans for this 460. Is there a kit to change the transfer case to a remote trans case? A 460 does not get the best of mileage, but that is not what I am really after. Gas mileage is the farthest thing from my mind at this point.

Lets get to the body of this 78. It is in good condition. Can a builder make a body lift from scratch? 75 ford chassis that I purchased has a 4" suspension lift on the rear with springs and blocks. Front end has a coil springs that look to be extra long. Without a body setting on it. It is hard to tell if it actually does have a lift.

I do realize there is allot of work involved in switching this over. I would like some idea of what I am actually getting into. If someone has already done this, could you give me some pointers on what I need to start first? Maybe even give me some ideas of what all is involved. I have a good idea of the obvious stuff. Could you give me some type of heads up of the hidden concepts that I should be looking for?

Here are some things that I am going to do this weekend. I am going to tear out the front end and rear end. I am going to tear them down and put new seals bearings. Going to check out the spider gears, ring gear and pinion. On the front end of the 75, a tag says limited slip gear lube only. Does anyone know what type of oil this should be? I had no idea that there was a limited slip gear lube. Thought that 80w-90w was just that. In addition, on the rear end, a tag says posy loc. If reading that correctly, it means positive traction rear end. Correct? Now when tearing out the tranny and the trans case. Lets say the 390 trannies will not bolt up. Can the case of 2wd tranny be modified to bolt up to the 4x4 trans case? This 75 ford front end is full time. Does this mean that trans case is also full time? Can this 75 be switched over to loc outs? Does this also mean the transfer case is also full time?

One more question about drivelines. I h ear that there is a new material being used for drive shafts. It is supposed to be as strong if not stronger than steel can it be used on this 75 front and rear end? Does any one know? On the other hand, will it actually damaged the front end or rear end? As far as u-joints go are there a good brand and a bad brand to buy. I have seen them at many prices from $10 dollars to $300 dollars. Good u-joints are hard to beat but which ones is the best bang for your buck.

When this truck is all finished I am going to run 32xll.50x15 tires on ultra cast aluminum rims. Does any one recommend a decent buy? Something that will work in snow, mud, sand and every day driving! With a limited slip front end, would anyone recommend changing it to a full locker? If so what advantages would, I gain? If any?

Using the c6 tranny, can any one recommend a good shift kit? I like a good solid shift. I have built a few cars and have put in full shift kits, just have not done anything with trucks before. Is their anything else a builder can do to a trans case to get extra humph. I have heard that their are adapters for trans cases to get extra gears, would this be a candidate for this? If not why? I live in Idaho where we have a lot of different types of seasons, snow, rain, mud, mud, and more mud, sand, clay, hill climbing, oh did I mention hill climbing? In addition, snowmobile in the winter months, and yes this ford will be pulling snowmobiles to the site, along with friends and all the gear! Now speaking of pulling would you recommend an automatic or a 4spd tranny? I have heard in a truck, 4spd is the best. If you put in a good shift kit would this not be the same?

I have many more ? However, at this point I think this will be a good start. If any one can give some hints pointers or answer any or all of these questions, would appreciate it greatly. Thank you and happy mudding, or what ever you might do.

Holy Bat Man dude, thats a long freakin first post. Well, welcome to pirate none-the-less.

390 Tranny will not work with your 460.

You can however, replace your 2wd tailhousing with the 4wd tailhousing, and then marry the transfer case to your tranny you have now.

You will more than likely have to do some fabricating and make your tranny crossmember.

Yes, your axle/transfer case can be converted to part time.

Steering I am not 100% positive on - If you had a Dana 60 you could run the 2wd steering box and do a crossover steering set-up, not sure with your 44 front....


Hope this will help you out a lil bit. I recommend doing a search on this forum, there are lots of people here that have done the 2wd conversion, I am still in the process of mine, but it is straight forward with some research.

first of all thanks allot rambos429 for the info, I really do appreciate it. I only have a few questions about the info that you gave me.

When swapping the tail shafts on these two trannies. How hard is it? What do i need to complete this task? I have never attempted to tear down a automatic tranny before this. When removing the tail shafts from these two trannies, do they have to be torn completely down? after the tail shafts have been swapped, can the same adapter be used? Will i have to find one that matches the new tranny? When switching the tail shafts would you suggest doing anything to the tranny before closing the case? I am wanting to install a full shift kit. Have you ever done a shift kit before on any tranny? If so, how hard is it to install?

I have done a 2wd to 4x4 conversion before, but not like this one. One of the trannies was an automatic and the other one was a 4spd. They were both gmcs. It did go pretty fast. they were both the same year but the frame on the original 4x4 was broke. Swapping the parts from the 4x4 to the 2wd actually went pretty smooth.

I am not actually sure at this point what type of front end it is. I am going to assume it is a dana 60. lets say this is a dana 60 can you give me some feed back on how to do this swap.? :mad3: What do you mean by a cross over steering setup? I have searched many hours on the net trying to find info on this conversion. I am stearching. when converting over the steering can i use the pitman arm from the 4x4 steering or do i use the one from the 2wd?

thanks for the info you have already provided it is a big help. happy 4x4!

I don't think you need a special trans for your 460. Any NP435 4speed will work, its just a matter of locating a 351 modified/400/429/460 bellhousing and the proper flywheel/clutch assembly. If youre after extra gears, I would go with the ZF gearbox from later model EFI 460's in F250s+. It gives you a granny 1st gear, 1-2-3 drive gears and a 5th gear thats an overdrive. I would look for an entire complete assembly, and then you'll have to convert/fabricate to a hydraulic clutch assembly as well, or do some research and find a hydraulic master clutch cylinder that will mount to the 70's vintage Z-bar style clutch linkage for your truck. Not sure about transfer case options with these gearboxes, though.

The limited slip assemblies in your axles are a set of clutches/steels that slip under turning but not under acceleration. Most people convert to spools or lockers for serious off-road duty, but you can make yours work well with a fresh rebuild (check auto parts stores) The fluid to use is any 80w/90w on the shelf, but with a friction modifier additive that keeps the clutches from slipping too much. They sell it in tubes at most auto parts stores. Hope this helps some.

For a cross over steering set up on your rig you would want to use the 2wd steering box from your '78, then do a search on a kit or a way to fab up your own steering. I have not done a crossover steering on a Ford vehicle, so I am not going to say that I know what I'm doin, however I have done a crossover on a 86 chevy pickup that made the cover of Petersens....Just keep searching and dropping a note when you have a question.