Ford suspension diagram

Yes, it should be coil. I am wanting to compare and contrast the 4wd frame and the 2wd frame. I am seriously thinking about a 4wd conversion to a super duty.

PM Sent

I link that diagram just as an example of what I was looking for.

Thanks!
 
The frame will be the exact same, hell all of the holes are there for the leaf spring brackets. Or at least they are on my 04. I just need a Manual shift T-case and a 4wd output shaft for the trans and i will be doing a 4wd conversion on mine. vehicles built on an assembly line share all the same components to speed the assembly process. hell the 5R110 transmission uses the same case (4wd or 2wd, the T case bolt holes are already there) all you have to do is swap the output shaft.

I swapped a Zf-5 into my 97 f-250 and all i had to do was add the clutch hydraulics manual trans cross-member and a shorter t-case shifter linkage, all the bolt holes were there for everything even a hole in the firewall for the clutch linkage to pass through. just pop off the cover plate and bolt the MC in its place.
 
get a front end and front suspension off a 4x4, all you will need it the front hangars, shackle mounts, and shock towers. Everything bolts right in place on the frame, no drilling welding or anything, its a bolt on swap. This is if you are using leafsprings, coils might be a little more envolved. Mine is an 03 and i did the front end in a weekend from taking the stock 2wd parts off and putting all the 4x4 parts on. Its really a pretty simple swap as far as the suspension and axle goes, if you go with a manual transfer case you also already have the hole in the floor for the shifter, you just have to cut the carpet away and un bolt a plate covering it. If you have any other questions, feel free to shoot me a pm.
 
I was really all set to start buying parts. But, I called a salvage yard and he was very adament that the frames were different. That set me back on my confidence level.

Thanks for the votes of confidence.

My plan is to swap in the axle and the suspension and then work towards getting the t-case and drive shafts put in.

I do have a couple of questions that I would like to ask, I'll put them here.

Is there anything that goes through the frame to support the rear shackle?

Is there anything that prevents the front shackle from being bolted in place?

Will I need to get new brake lines?

Did you use the track bar?

Did you run into any problems getting in aligned?

And, of course, do you have any pictures of your swap?!?
 
trevoringle can probably answer you better since he's done his already but to answer what I know
Is there anything that goes through the frame to support the rear shackle?
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There's a little bushing thats in a cast metal housing that has 4 bolts that thread into that you mount to the frame.
Heres what your looking for;
shackle frame/bushing/mount
ai407.photobucket.com_albums_pp156_RRwannabe_DSCN0233.jpg

ai407.photobucket.com_albums_pp156_RRwannabe_DSCN0232.jpg

heres the forward bracket for the spring
ai407.photobucket.com_albums_pp156_RRwannabe_DSCN0234.jpg

ai407.photobucket.com_albums_pp156_RRwannabe_DSCN0235.jpg

Is there anything that prevents the front shackle from being bolted in place?
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I havent climbed under to look but the front spring hanger is a pretty large piece, I'd guess it just replaces something else.
Will I need to get new brake lines?
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From my understanding the 4wd ones are longer, Id recommend new lines but Ive seen ppl go both ways and the Abs sensors should be the same as well as the calibers.
Did you use the track bar?
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Guess that's up to you it will handle better and fell less sloppy but you shouldn't have any death wobble since its a a rear shackle type setup.
Now that spring hanger bracket I have looks slightly different than the one in the diagram but that is just a drawing so I don't know, I might dig into my truck a little tomorrow to verify that bracket i have will work.
 
250krawlers got it all right, as for the front hangars, i dont know if you have looked under yours yet or not, but mine actually already had the front hangars on it, i dont know for sure or not but as far as i know it has the orginal bumper on it. From what ive been told, its a good bit easier to put the front hangars or take them off if you remove the front bumper but i got mine off and on without taking the bumper off, its not easy for sure, but it can be done. For stock 2wd vs 4wd brake lines, im not sure on that one, my truck already had a lift on it when i bought it so it had plenty enough brake line when i did the SAS, but i know the 4x4s set just a bit higher so you may want to double check on the length just to make sure you have enough slack. I would defintly run the track bar, it makes a world of dieffernce in driving, i tried driving mine without it and it only lasted a day before i had to do something, the sway bar isnt quite as noticable but it also helps with the driving manners of it. As far as alignment goes, whatever shop you take it to, dont say anything about it being a converted 4x4, for some reason they think that it will throw everything off and they wont be able to align it. So if they ask just tell them its 4x4 and nothing else haha.
 
Just a confidence booster too, when i did mine i was 19 at the time and really just had help from my dad and a couple buddies for moving the axle around and to get it in place (that things pretty heavy with all the steering and suspension still on it), with some basic mechanical knowledge and the will to do it im sure you would be able to swap it all out, its really just a straight bolt on swap. Dont let one salvage yard saying the frames are different steer you away.
 
Thanks for the info guys. This has turned into one of the most informative threads on this.

What did you do about the pitman arm? Did you reuse your 2wd one or have to go with a 4wd one?
 
250krawler said:
2wd arm should be fine unless your lifting it too.
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what he said. Something else to think about, if you want to go witht the actual stock 4x4 height, IIRC you have to add a 2in block on the rear of it too.
 
I am going to be replacing my front hangers and shackles on the front of my Excursion in the next few weeks. If you want the Hanger and shackles you can have them just let me know.

I just looked and I see your on the other side of the state so I guess its not really cost effective for you to come get them.
 
I'll come get them! Are you going with a lift shackle?

I love road trips. There is actually a guy parting a truck out that way I might get parts from.
 
BigBody79 said:
I'll come get them! Are you going with a lift shackle?
I love road trips. There is actually a guy parting a truck out that way I might get parts from.
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dont forget about your shock towers too, the 2wd location wont work, plus you dont want to leave the huge coil bucket on after the SAS
 
There is a local guy here that has 2 wrecked Excursions. You can probably get a set of the shock towers from him if you can call him ahead of time. He prices stuff based on car-parts website
Pierce's Cars & Parts
(910) 455-0214
2080 Wilmington Hwy, Jacksonville, NC 28540

I use to have the springs but I gave them to my brother and someone stole them from his yard.
 
What did you guys do for transfer cases?

I am trying to figure this thing all out. I don't really want to pony up the money for a new transmission. Nor do I want to take the transmission out for a used/unknown transmission. I know that you can swap out the main shaft for a 4x4, but that is a complete transmission rebuild.

I was seriously thinking about going with a divorce case until I have to re due the transmission. I will have to get two new driveshafts anyways.

Your thoughts?
 
what year truck and type transmission? I know on mine you can just pull the trans stand it up on end and swap shafts. That's what I plan on doing and going ahead with a shift kit and a new TC if i can swing it or you could use a divorced NP205 or something like that. Perhaps locate it far enough back to eliminate the need for a carrier bearing but that also depends on the WB. That was my original idea and may still go that route as like you I don't want to use and unknown trans or pay for a a high dollar rebuild.
 
BigBody79 said:
What did you guys do for transfer cases?

I am trying to figure this thing all out. I don't really want to pony up the money for a new transmission. Nor do I want to take the transmission out for a used/unknown transmission. I know that you can swap out the main shaft for a 4x4, but that is a complete transmission rebuild.

I was seriously thinking about going with a divorce case until I have to re due the transmission. I will have to get two new driveshafts anyways.

Your thoughts?
Click to expand...
i was going to change the shaft for a 4x4 but once it was apart my clutches were in pretty bad shape so i went ahead and di a rebuild. Im running an np271, manual
 
well on a 4r100 if i i'm not mistaken you would have to change the tail shaft an the rear housing to bolt a transfer case up. not sure how involved that is though.
 
pretty sure the NP205 route is the one that I am going to take.

'nother question. Can I use the slip yoke from the transmission and not put the slip in the drive shaft.

I would still have two u-joints... just thinking out loud.

That thing looks like it might be a bugger to mount.
 
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