Love my 1965 350 dually just wish it were 4x4. Is it even at all possible despite even the difficulty to add 4x4 to this old of F350 dually drivetrain, what would this take. HELP have time and money just don't know were to start.

 

ive wanted to try that out... i dont know much about t-cases.... but i would think get a transfer case.... and a front axle... and drive shafts and place them where they should go....

or frame swap.... swap a 70s or 80s 4wd dually frame under your body...

 

I hear in the late 80's to around 96 Ford used Identical frames on their F series between 2wd and 4x4 to save money and the frame had even t case/axle bolt holes, but I'm not sure about a 65, I also know that before the sixties ford 4x4 were all outsourced and custom builds from 2wd's. Its just all built on heresay thats the problem.

What year what model F series dually do you have?

 

This is kind of a neat truck I found, but it looks like the guy thinks it's a Duesenberg or something.



eBay Motors: Ford : Other Pickups (item 180298527270 end time Oct-22-08 19:10:26 PDT)

 

It may or may not be the rarest of the rare (as the seller describes it) but it's certainly the ugliest of the ugly!

 

the rarest of the rare i've got that truck[mercurey- 1965 4x4 "napco"i ton dually hd-300 6 /587-1 axle/plus i added a woods dump box on it !>[3 where made up by ""napco ind. as ford didn't start making m/f 350 4x4's till 79-80 yr's /and getting parts /like locking-hubs /wheel rims 16 "-19.5 >huge fender wells 11 HA HA> was one of the hardest projects iv'e done /TOOK 10 YRS. TO FIND "HUBS / FR. 250/ 350 [CHEVY- NAPCO]> THAT FIT ./ANYWAY'S mine is all org. still runs great/ the toughest/ best ever [fire wood -bush truck made ]if i were you i would go with a newer frame /running gear will fit from your 65 >over to up to 89 i believe !/ hope this helps / thanks >woodman

 

hey there a have the same truck only i kinda wanna take the axle out and the suspention and make a low rider but i dont know much about it up till now if always mud bogged and lifted trucks its not hard to make it a 4wd just takes some time and messin around get a tranny and t-case bolt it up to your motor and that half is done then all you have to do is get a front diff and mount it might have to do some custom fab work but its not that tough

 

This would not be a very difficult upgrade. A remote mount transfer case, a front driving axle and some driveshafts. The steering would probably have to be changed as well.

A np205 or a Dana 24 would work well. Around here Dana 44 front axles are plentiful. They are much cheaper than a Dana 60. A Dana 44 from the seventies I think would have the spring perches in the right location.

Your best would be to find a complete 4wd drive truck and use all the parts from it. I had to have the front driveshaft remade for my 65 Crew Cab and it ran me over $300. If you could find a complete truck for $1000 or so you would be doing well.

Here are some prices that I have paid or seen in the last year fro truck parts to give you an idea

Dana 24 remote transfer case $100
Dana 44 high pinion front axle w/ drum brakes $200
Dana 60 front axle w/ disc brakes $1200
Dana 70 U rear axle $300
New custom driveshafts around $300

 

HAY JASON >[1979> FIRST PRODUCTION f350 MADE={ F-250/350 4X4 =DANA 60-7F FRONT AXLE>[ TRANSFER-CASE >F150/250/350] =NEW PROCESS203,FULL-TIME> TRANS.CASE]1980-UP=F250/350 BORG WARNER1345 TRANS.CASE [EARLY MODELS ARE THE STRONGEST>FR AXLES TRANSFER UNITS>MINE I USED WERE "SKIDDERS FEAR TO TREAD"ON THE WORST BUSH-ROCK ROADS IN THE CARIBOO B.C.CANADA WITH CHAINS ON FR.AND REAR COULD DIG MY WAY TO CHINA AND BACK AND CARRY IN MY>12 FT. DUMP BOX 7000 LBS."FIREWOOD" BEST FORD 4X4 TRUCKS MADE IT'S ALL>ORG.65/350 MERCUREY 300-6 NAPCO] >WITH A 2 SPEED DANA-TRANSFER CASE]THE FRONT AXLE>IS> HEAVIER THAN THE> DANA 70 REAR AXLE IN BETWEEN A 350 AND A F600 THE STEP UP FROM 350'S 4X4 >[OK GET 79 UP FRONT DRIVE PARTS TRUCK IN GOOD COND. AND GOOD ADVICE/TIPS FROM >MEMBERS"< ITWILL FIT IN NO PROBLEM IF DONE RIGHT AND ENJOY!

 

I also have a '65 F350 1-Ton. The worst part of this truck is the suspension and wheels.
The 1-tons use slipper springs front and rear. While not a big deal, replacement parts do not exist through my local spring shops.
The wheels are two-piece lock ring design. Trying to find replacements if yours are rusted is a very hard hunt.
This spring my drivers side front wheel hub (dually spacer) rusted through and broke off the truck while driving. That will ruin your day.
I laid out my options-find another wheel hub (good luck!), source a solid 2wd front axle from a dortito's delivery van, or bolt up a 4x4 front axle. To solve the issue, I recently installed a Dana 44 front axle into the stock slipper springs. The front of the truck now sits higher than the rear. Even worse-there's only about 1.5" of clearance between the differential and the oil pan. Luckily, i took this into consideration before cutting my U-Bolts. I left them long for the time being so the U-Bolts hit the frame rail instead of a differential punching through my oil pan. Other than clearance issues-the leaf springs bolted up once I drilled out the axle locating pin hole to acomodate the '65's larger pin.
Steering was a bigger issue. I ended up using a '76 Ford Steering Arm. I had to build a steering linkage out of tie rod ends and a coupler. Because the total length had to be no more than 13"...I had to use certain tie rod ends. Because of that...tie rod ends were not available in the size I needed to fit inside the steering arm. So, the steering arm got a $50 investment to have a machine shop bore it out a little bit.
I won't do this again. The truck really needs to have a new suspension system-hangers, shackles, and springs. Not sure if I really want to weld in some 80's 4x4 front suspension. Better yet-it should receiver a suspension system from a truck that is 4wd, that way you can order a 6" lift kit so your oil pan survives speed bumps!
This is with a Dana 44...I can only imagine a Dana 60 differntial is bigger...therefore reducing oil pan clearance even more. By the time you get enough oil pan clearance, you'll need a step ladder to get in the truck!
After some frusturation of wasted time I've decided on two remaing options-Install my body onto an '80-'96 F350 frame or install Mitsubishi Fuso or Isuzu cab over suspension/axles under. Both trucks have a narrow frame...so the leaf springs should be fairly close. Maybe not close enough...? They both are 6 lug/16" dual wheels, and I think the original steering box can be used. May need a new linkage-similar to the one I had to build for the 4x4 conversion. Before anything happened-I would post here for others who may be interetsed in getting away from the man-killer wheels!
I am beginning to opt for a sheet metal swap.
I think I'll swap my sheet metal onto an '85 F350 cab and chassis I've located.
I haven't gotten a chance to do ANY measurements...what am I in for? Has anybody else done this swap?

 

First Ford factory installed 4WD: 1959 F100/250.

First F350 with factory installed 4WD: 1979.

 

my truck and my fathers lol
his is the real deal
i made mine

 

my fender is round at the top ,yours is flatter like a fat fender 50's yes! or what suprize me ha ha as assusual y joined in 2003 wow,really i haven't been in here for yrs. lost password then got to busy , now i'm back ,took your pics from here sent to save in my docs. came in great want more info on your 65 what's the front drive axle in it ?my napco is even larger/heaver than the 70 rear more like a eaton industrial like timkin,s thats in my 600 -71 uhaul no 60spicer/dana maybe for the street or 44 bronco going to last in bushy at all how about atoyota ps thanks that got me back in fte,s the beast for fords i've found yet see ya dad

 

I used 450 /550 fenders from a school bus i found