Been thinking about converting my D250 to 4wd and checking out the 2wd to 4wd conversion threads you have. Man that is a lot of work! Is it possible to just take everything off of my frame and put it on a W250 frame and buy a transfer case? Would my 518 work as is or would it have to be modified?

 

Welcome to the Board!

I'm about 3/4 of the way done my 2wd to 4wd conversion on my crewcab. Yup it's a big job! You really need a donor to do this properly. And unless your converting a crewcab I'd recommend looking for a W250 and selling your D250.

If you can find a cummins 4wd frame you could just swap over your body. As for your 2wd 518....I believe you would need new main shaft and tail section. Unless you went with a divorced transfer case. Then you could use your tranny as is.

The cummins frames are HD compared to the gasser frames. Unless you can find a W350 frame from a gas powered truck. Then the frame should be the same size, and thickness, as the Cummins frames.

 

My gasser W350 frame is only 6" tall. I have heard Cummins frames are 7". Double check before you purchase.

 

don't know where your at, ive got a w250, and d250 frame im going to scrap, im just hanging on to "too" many xtra parts thinking im might scavenge something else for my '74 ramcharger conversion in the works, make sure you set aside a big piece of life, with the vehicle down, spare all the time you can muster, to achieve the finished 4x4, im so cal.

 

adding the 518, I think, needs the shorter main shaft, adapter mid section, im not sure if they used the power sleeve on the auto, some tcases the mainshaft extends right to the input gear, im guessing your looking for a 205, ive modified the input for many conversions, using the larger input bearing, and redrilled the oldest cases for the 6 bolt round pattern our trucks use, want to add lotts more time to the conversion, check out "off road designs" doubler, adding a 203 gearbox in front of the 205, giving 2 gear reductions, and a 3 stick control allowing front only activity, when you get in trouble, a must.

 

On a 518, you just have to swap the overdrive section. Some shimming may be necessary to get correct endplay. The main trans assembly is the same.

 

swapping to 4x4 is easier then everyone think's should take a Day to do it or less . PM me if you need help .

 

Did you really mean to say "a day"? I wish I could accomplish that. I don't think my truck was made in a 4x4, so it would be a cool conversion. I tell my wife about t-cows thread now and then, and I can see the worry in her eyes. It might happen a year from now cause it sits in the winter anyway.

 

Yes to put a frontend under a 2 wheel drive and mount the spring's it took me less then 1 day .but I was working with a bare truck no motor or trans so it was simple .but then again that's what I do is work on theses thing's

 

Is your W250 frame for diesel? If so, how much do you want for it?

 

gasser frames hold up just fine trust me been there Drive That

 

its diesel, your not geographically within budget, the last heap of steel I dropped off was 300. I had more scrap in the truck bed tallying a hefty load. if you really wanted to pursue the frame, youll end up with lots of freight tariff. I know online, theres lots of people looking to move anything one way or the other, I can give you resources if you want, my neighbors do it.

 

That would be great, thx!
I'm going to check around the local salvage yards too.