oliver foster

I have a good '98 4x4 cummins truck frame that the local farmer wants to use to fix up his 2x4 cummins that runs great but the frame is shot.
I assume the frame is the same other than the front suspension brackets and such.
Is this a massive project to make the 2wd parts fit the 4x4 frame.
I don't want to sell him something that is going to be a huge pain in his ***.
Any thoughts or input is greatly appreciated.

mechrisme

I just saw another thread in which they were trying to do the opposite thing, I found this on some other forum about the Dodge frames which may help you



I picked up a '96 3500 club cab Dodge\Cummins 5-spd 2wd dually which I've been er, um, slightly busy with, instead of posting, here, there, and everywhere.

So far, I've added IAT, Boost, and EGT gages, replaced the clutch-pilot bearing (already had a new clutch\pressure plate, t-o bearing), installed the 330hp\750lbsft torque TST plate, replaced the brown doggie-motel velour interior with grey velour, instrument panel and all, replaced the vacuum brake boost with Hydroboost, and.......

Dodge built their frames in three sections -

front section determined suspension type
2wd independent
4wd coil springs, trailing links
2wd straight front axle coil springs\trailing links, same frame\suspension\steering as 4wd

middle section determined cab type
regular cab 2-door
club cab 2dr (4 door '98 - up)

rear section determined bed length

Sooooo......I jacked the truck up, raised the cab up a foot off the frame, raised the Cummins 6 inches outta the frame, then cut the front i-f-s frame section out at the factory splice, directly beneath the seats.

Having located and prepped a '98 3500 4wd frame section and 2001 straight front axle, I then mated, aligned, and welded the two sections and VOILA!!!

I now have maybe the only Dodge 3500 HD straight front axle dually pickup on the road - white\grey velour, sittin' 5" higher than when Dodge sold it to another old man and his dog (Boy! did that cab ever stink!!!!!).

The straight front axle is the Dana 70 without the differential third-member and drive axles - the steering knuckles, brakes, hubs, etc, are the same, just no drive assy, replaced by a section of 3/8ths inch thick heavy-wall tube.

HD factory option was offered only in cab-and-chassis configuration, with the narrower rear axle

I see Dodge now builds one-piece rail frames, but I like the '94 - 2001 body style trucks, so no biggie.

justme-

keep in mind you need to make sure the frame is welded back together correctly and straight- alignment for the suspension mounting is critical for safe driving habits.

patdaly

If he is a Farmer, why not just stick the 4X4 front end under there like the HD cab and chassis truck did? Wouldn't be 4X4, but would be far simpler than cutting and welding frames, etc. You could gut the 60 for parts, since all you need in the outer bearing and hub assys.