4x4 conversion

[twayne24365]

Hey guys, I have a 1969 d100 swb /6 3 speed,

I found a 1963 w100 swb close by, I was wondering if I could either put my body on the 63 chassis or swap front/rear axles, transmission ,transfer case, and steering setup into my 69 chassis?

[Jim100]

Is the 63 w-100 swb a total junker body wise? Sounds like a desirable truck if not?
jim

[twayne24365]

In my opinion.... yea the body is quite rough, I wouldn’t Tare apart a good solid truck.

[PwrWgnDrvr]

There are MANY differences between early and late trucks that will need to be resolved with such a swap. For one, your late cab won't handle a hydraulic clutch if swapped onto the early chassis. Simpler to use the parts and convert the 69, but still much to deal with.

[twayne24365]

So if swapping th deriveline into my 69, what are some of the issues I will encounter? Re welding brackets or a crossmember are no problem, I just don’t want to have to reinvent the wheel doing the swap

[Jim100]

Your 69 is a "three on the tree" ? What trans does the 63 have?

[twayne24365]

I believe it was but previous owner converted to floor shift, it’s the non synchronized 3 speed a903?

I have a big block np435 bellhousing, when I do the 4x4 swap I was going to swap to a 383 or 440. I have both just haven’t decided yet

[twayne24365]

The 63 is a 4 speed 318 poly. I would assume it’s a np435/np201.

I’m going to go look at the truck later this week

[712edf]

I have a big block np435 bellhousing, when I do the 4x4 swap I was going to swap to a 383 or 440. I have both just haven’t decided yet

Which big block bell? The hydraulic clutch or mechanical?

Bucky

[twayne24365]

I believe mechanical, it’s from a 1970 dodge

[712edf]

Since you want to keep your 69 body & it already has clutch pedal set-up then I would swap in the 4x4 axles & t-case from the 63.....but the 63 t-case is a twin stick & NOT what a 69 W series would have came with.

Also the 63 4-speed transmission is likely a NP420. It is non-synchro in 1st & 2nd, plus uses a 10 spline input shaft, which isn't the correct length to work with the mechanical big block bell you are wanting to use. You want a 23 spline NP 435 transmission.

I would do the 4x4 components swap first...then at a later date do the big block/4 speed swap.

Bucky

[twayne24365]

Thanks for the info, I will post back with more info when I go look at the truck.

[twayne24365]

That being said, is there a better way to do the 4x4 conversion than using the 63?

[Hobcobble]

That being said, is there a better way to do the 4x4 conversion than using the 63?

A lot of things on the Sweptlines changed in the '69 model year. It
is the first year for the mechanical clutch which brought about changes
in tranny input shaft spline count, different flywheels/bell housings, no
more bell housing cross member, different clutch/brake pedal bracket, and the
list goes on.... Your best [easiest] route would to be to locate a '69-'71
W donor truck.
John

[twayne24365]

Ok so the body swap is out,
So as it stands, front and rear axles will swap, I can weld up a new crossmember in the 69 chassis to mount the np420 and 201 transfer case, and I can fab a mount for the clutch master/slave setup, And for now since the poly runs I may just use that engine.

Then down the road either keep the np420 or swap NP435 and find a hydraulic Bell for a big block to do the big block swap

[twayne24365]

And yea John id have liked to find a 69+ donor truck but the few that I’ve seen are too much $$ for me and half way across the country lol.

[PwrWgnDrvr]

U cannot put a clutch master in your 69, nor a crossmember for a hydraulic bell. They switched to mechanical clutch in order to mount the wiring connectors and fuse panel on the firewall where a clutch master would go. The rear spring mounts to the frame where the crossmember would have to go. U can keep the poly 318, but u will need a mechanical bell, flywheel, clutch and 435 trans to go behind it.

[PwrWgnDrvr]

U cannot put a clutch master in your 69, nor a crossmember for a hydraulic bell. They switched to mechanical clutch in order to mount the wiring connectors and fuse panel on the firewall where a clutch master would go. The rear spring mounts to the frame where the crossmember would have to go. U can keep the poly 318, but u will need a mechanical bell, flywheel, clutch and 435 trans to go behind it.

[712edf]

I have a 23 spline 435 that would work with your 383/440 bell. But I'm in Texas, it's be cheaper for you to find one closer.

Bucky

[Jim100]

Might take some work but you should be able to find the big parts PWD listed. Then it is a bolt in project!