D250(2wd) to W250(4wd) Conversion Questions...
 

Wondering what would be better...

Swapping my D250 frame out for a complete W250 4x4 frame...

Or swapping over the necessary parts from the donor frame to complete a 4x4 conversion...?

I know it'd be easier to sell my truck and hunt down a factory 4x4 truck...but I'm kinda attached to my cab & motor.

The possible donor has an Auto trans...mine is a Getrag 360...will the transfer case work with my trans? It also has a clear title...would I need to have the title on my truck changed to the donor title?[eyecrazy]

I'm considering a swap before looking for another truck, mainly due to the fact that my cab/bed/motor/trans are all in good shape, and the cost of the 4x4 trucks is outrageous, and out of my budget.

Any help/suggestions/comments is always appreciated...thanks.

It all depends on how much you love the truck and how much time your willing to sacrifice. Think its mostly bolt up. Adding a dana60f, moving the steering box, adding a transfer case. think you can pull the output off your getrag and a np205 will bolt up to it, you may have to rebuild or swap the transfer case because the getrag has a larger output than the autos im pretty sure. Also make sure the dana 60 has the same ratio as your rear. Theres another guy on this board that already completed one and it looked pretty nice, youd have to search around beacuse i dont know off the top of my head.

Yes,

This can be done, You would not have to retitle anything. This swap is a lot of work, the frames are the same EXCEPT, none of the mounting holes for 4X4 stuff are pre drilled. You will have to change the tranny crossmember, the engine one is the same. You will have to add the T-case shifter hump (I might have a spare). I could go on for hours with this one, but lets just say this is a BIG project. Do you have the Dana 60 Front?

The donor frame is from a complete running truck with cab & flatbed. The body is a bit rough and the flatbed looks like junk. So I'm looking to purchase the entire frame, both F&R Differentials, Transfer Case, T-Case Shifter/Hump, and whatever else I might need to convert mine over.

I'm just wondering what you guys think as far as swapping the W250 Frame in place of my D250 frame, or bolting up the 4x4 parts from the W250 frame onto my stock D250 frame.

Doing the first would mean I'd have to remove my cab/bed/motor/trans, and bolt them to the W250 frame...

Doing the latter would mean I'd have to remove my front end, trans, rear end, and swap the W250 parts in their place.
[eyecrazy] [eyecrazy] [eyecrazy]

If I was doing it---I would put your engine, tranny, and sheet metal on the other frame, assuming it is good. That would be A LOT easier. A direct bolt on with the exception of the tranny/transfer case, and putting the 4X4 hump in your truck.

A helpful thread: https://www.dieseltruckresource.com/...threadid=30873

Keep your existing tranny and find a divorced NP205. Dodge and Chevies both used divorced NP205s in the 70s-80s. You can't use a divorced Ford NP205 because the Ford NP205 will be the wrong side drop. You can flip it over, but you have to work on reventing it and will have to deal with changing the shifter linkage.

Dave, thanks for the thread link...interesting.

Blake... thanks for the tip....oh and ask Mr. Peal if he wants to help do a swap one of these weekends...[laugh]

Mr Peal did his swap in a day!

I work at the auto parts store he deals with, he took his existing driveline out the night before. Saturday morning he called me at work and said he was starting. I went by there at around 2 o clock and it was all in, he was trying to get all the air out of his fuel lines. Then he called me a while later and said he was done and it was running.

That man is wicked grand master fab mechanic.

He also used the divorced Dodge NP205 since his donor truck was a '98 12v 2WD.

This is what I'm saying...

Back when I lived in Corpus Christi...Jamie was known as the Dodge Guru. Only met him once, but my friends all knew him well.

I'm hoping I can do a similar swap in a weekend's time.

I've heard both sides though. Some say use my frame + donor 4x4 parts...and others say use donor 4x4 frame + my motor/cab/bed....[eyecrazy]

Jeremy,

I might be interested in the flatbed... what's wrong w/ it?

thanks,

Forrest

Its just UGLY...[laugh] But it might be what you are looking for...?

Maybe I can get pics on Friday when my girl gets back from California with her digicam.

do it. I'm good friends w/ ugly, and I can fix whatever as I've got a welder and access to steel... just looking for a base to build off of. local junkyard had a pretty cheap one, but it was on a Chevy, and the frame rail width was way off... I could lay new frame rails, but it seemed like it'd be a PITA.

Forrest

I'll go if I have time on Monday and snap some pics...

I'd definately appreciate it... no rush, but would definately like to check out the pics.

thanks,

Forrest