i can get my hads on a 197. ford f100 2 wheel drive in good shap for free form some family. now how hard would it be to make it 4 wheel drive i no i need a d44 . transfercas and that kind of stuff
but how much work am i looking at ? what should i buy ?
and that kind of stuff

mike

For that I'd get a dana 44, front driveshaft, and NP-205 t-case and all adapters from a 4x4 from the same year as yours. Peterson's 4 Wheel mag has recently had write-ups on converting 2WD to 4WD. Depending on how good you are is how long it will take you and the cost depends also. If you are lucky and find all the stuff used and in good shape you could do it for under a grand. If I were you though, I would fix up the 2WD to the best of my ability, sell it, and use the money to buy a 4x4. Just my 2 cents.

the best way to convert your 197? 2wheel drive would to find a 78-79 4x4 with a beat body it take the beat body off the frame and put your 2wd body on it ford had already made the 4x4 frame so converting your 2wd frame to a 4x4 is alot of work for a conversion that was done at the factory for you the center hump in your 2wd if it is a automatic may need to be cut out and the 4wd hump bolted in steering column needs to be a 4x4 one and a little trimming on the left inner fender where the steering box goes other then that it is a direct swap

Go find a 4x4 truck like it and look for things that need changing. Ford was good about keeping the frame and body the same from 2wd to 4x4. It is a good time to upgrade your tranny or you could do what Peterson's Mag did and use a divorced t-case.