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I just bought a 70 sweptline with a 383 4 speed 2wd. It's a d 200 and I want to make it a 4x4. I've found multiple 2500 4x4 front ends and wanted to know if a more modern 3/4 ton front end would bolt on to my old 3/4 frame with little to no modifications.

HJS wrote:I just bought a 70 sweptline with a 383 4 speed 2wd. It's a d 200 and I want to make it a 4x4. I've found multiple 2500 4x4 front ends and wanted to know if a more modern 3/4 ton front end would bolt on to my old 3/4 frame with little to no modifications.

You need to be a bit more specific with your questions.
Drivers side or passenger side drop.
Specifically when you say 2500 do you mean 94 and newer or 72 to 93 seeing as some like to call the 250 trucks 2500's.
All 94 and newer Dodge/Ram trucks have coil spring front suspension with trac bar and 4 links to frame.

Many Many questions.

Basically I'm asking would it be easier to find a 1970 4x4 front end or would it be easier to put in a 90's 4x4 front end. I just want the easiest and preferably cheaper way to make my 2 wheel drive a 4 wheel drive

HJS wrote:Basically I'm asking would it be easier to find a 1970 4x4 front end or would it be easier to put in a 90's 4x4 front end. I just want the easiest and preferably cheaper way to make my 2 wheel drive a 4 wheel drive

The easiest approach would be to find the properly geared Dana 44 front
closed knuckle axle from a '61-'68 W100/W200 or '69-'71 W200.
John

Or if you want a bit more modern front (disc brakes), get a 1980-84 Dana 44 from a W250. Those bolt-in too (as do other years).

Have you considered what route to take for the transfer case?

Bucky

A donor truck with complete drive train would take most of the guess work out as you have all the parts to start with and then find replacements for the parts that don't fit like drive shafts and. Even a small block truck will work as the 4spd trans will bolt to the big block bell housing.

I used a '85 w150 for my donor truck for the '69 i did., the only things that didn't fit were the driveshafts, brake master cylinder, and i had to change the shock mounting tabs on the front axle. The front springs will work, but the 72-93 rear springs will have an offset center pin and will move the rear axle forward and the tire will not be centered in the wheel wheel. I had the driveshafts made and i used a early 70's (72-75 i think) 2 wheel drive master cylinder that bolted right up.

a 71 or earlier donor would be the easiest for the conversion.

I paid $500.00 for the '85 W150 donor truck from a crusher yard and then returned the truck once i was done taking parts off it.

.

i'm in the midst of converting my 66 4x4 into a more modern 4x4, so while not exactly the same I can speak to many of the issues you're going to encounter.

a "period correct" axle will "drop in" the easiest .... leaving you with manual drum brakes. not exactly ideal on a 3/4 ton truck that could ostensibly be used for towing on modern highways.

simplest thing after that is to simply install a vacuum booster on the firewall. relocate the master cylinder pot for the clutch, some proportioning valves, and this works surprisingly well. I know who guy who did this on a 68 1-ton ford. though he only gets a few years out of his slave cylinders, the powered 4 drums stop decently well without having to "pump up".

next would be a late 70 - early 90's dodge or chevy axle with a passengers side differential drop. the dodge units will be nearly drop in. at least the chevies are the correct drop. Fords are basically out.

since you're starting with a 2x4 I suppose you could try to jury-rig a drivers side drop....

Which bring us to the transfer case. mine has the np201, and I want to keep the PTO wench I have, so i'm keeping all my drivetrain, but since you need to figure out a t-case you sort of have a lot more options.

you could go to a np205, which opens up a lot more options. you could even go crazy and put a nv4500 or something back there.

....and then we get to steering. I would highly recommend doing away with the old bronze-geared steering box and upgrading to a more modern steering gear box. ...maybe even hydro-steering if you have the money.

....which brings me to my favorite option. and my likely personal solution.

dana-60 front, disc brake axle from a chevy or dodge. i'm a welder by trade so making brackets to mount a chevy or incompatible dodge onto my truck is a non-issue. hydro-steering.

also - look into a hydro-booster for your brakes. vastly improved braking power, much smaller footprint on the firewall. I plan on designing a sperentine belt set up for my motor and I think that should do just nicely. ...but it'll be spendy.

$1,500 for a properly built 60 front.
$1,000 for hydro-boost.
$1,000 for hydro-steer.

I really do appreciate all your help. My recent discovery of this truck being all matching numbers and a registered 112,000 miles this has turned into a restoration project rather than a hot rod project. My only question now is, since this truck will be a daily driver, are there any disc brake conversion kits for this era truck?

I'm in the process of amassing parts for my 67 W100 Fargo, I am using a hydroboost setup from an 06 Avalanche. You make a bracket with 4 holes and a 2 5/8 hole iirc, and it is nearly a bolt in. I think I'll have to drill a hole about 1/2" in front of the stock hole on the pedal. No need to move the clutch master. That and it was 45 bucks plus the master at pick n pull. I'd recommend you find a 4x4 and buy it as a donor, much cheaper to build what you want that way.

712edf wrote:Or if you want a bit more modern front (disc brakes), get a 1980-84 Dana 44 from a W250. Those bolt-in too (as do other years).

Bucky

Reviving an old thread here but have a question. What changed in 84 that affected this issue? Specifically speaking of 3/4 ton (or greater). I'm seeing that most everything up 'til 93 was pretty much the same and I believe 94 is when they went to coil springs in the front? What makes an 81- 84 a better donor than the 85 to 93 trucks?

I'm looking to convert my 66 D200 to 4x4. I'd like to go with something that has discs on the front but don't mind drums on the rear (would keep my current one if parts - i.e. brake drums - were available).

I know there are lots of threads on this topic but I'm having trouble finding this specific info.

Thanks in advance for those who share their knowledge on this!

CAD axles were introduced in 85.

Bucky

Thanks, that helps... when choosing a donor there are so many things to consider that it can be a bit overwhelming!!

I think the Cummins trucks had lockout hubs in 89-93. There may have been an option on some other high GVW trucks as well.

soopernaut wrote:I think the Cummins trucks had lockout hubs in 89-93. There may have been an option on some other high GVW trucks as well.

Yes, they had Dana 60 fronts, which weren't CAD during that era. Dana 60F was offered (optional) in gas 80-93 W250/W350 with NP205 t-cases as well.

Bucky