looking for some advise

[illness]

i was given two work trucks. 89 f350 ext cab 7.3 4-speed 4x4 and a 94 f350 reg cab 351ci automatic 2wd. the 89 has a rotted frame and cab but runs like a champ. the 94 has a nice body/frame with a blown tranny. ideally i would put the 89 7.3 & 4-speed and axles in the 94. will the front leaf springs off the 89 fit onto the 94 2wd frame? i would like to know if anyone has attemped this and any help would be appriecated. thanks, -joe

[Blue01F250]

wow ... well, sounds like a job and I have no clue as to your question, but here's a bump to the top for ya!

[TEXCRAWLER]

yes, the springs are inner changeable between the gas and IDI Diesel, but always put a tape on everything twice befour you do anything. That will be a nice swap. Personally I wouldn't use the 4-speed, I'd get a ZF 5-speed.

[Blue01F250]

but where the frames different between the years??

[illness]

that is what i'm trying to find out. are the frames interchangable? the 2wd has the front coil spring suspension and to install the leafs will holes have to be drilled out or are they factory drilled and waiting for me? just trying to minimize the suprise factor once i get started.

tex- what did the zf 5-speed come in and can i use my existing t-case with it? if not what other parts do i need to use the 5-speed? i would prefer the extra gear for fuel economy.

[bigcountrysg]

I would four link the front, using coil springs and shocks. This would take away the need to mount up the leaf springs. If you decide to use the leaf springs make sure they are square to the frame. This way you won't have tracking problems going down the road. Now the other thing I would be concerned with is driveshafts. Your 89 is an extended cab but is it long box or short box. Your 94 is regular cab but is it long box or short box. Most likely your going to need driveshafts made.

Being you have all the parts right there I would go for it. Your going to most likely need to move the engine mounts as well. But that is ok because you have the stock ones from the 89. You are also most likely going to have to make or modify the corssmember that supports the transmission. Because your going from a 2wd to 4wd as well as your cab bed configuration is different so most likely the corssmember at the least is going to need to be relocated.

BUt being you have the parts donor truck on hand I would go for it. Don't expect this to be over the weekend project. Most likely the shortest time I would plan for this project would be 1 month minimum.

When I mean make sure you square everything up to the frame that is probablly the most important thing when doing what you are planning on doing. Because if it is not square your going to have tracking problems, lining up the driveshafts will be difficult, getting everything mounted will be difficult too.

If it was me doing this I would remove the body of the 94 so you have the complete frame there to work on with out having anything obstructing you.

[illness]

i was going to keep the leafs simply because they are there and free.

both of the trucks are 8ft beds so i should be ok with the front driveshaft but would have to have the rear shorted.

as far as the time frame for this, i was planning on a comfortable 6 weeks; if i was single with no kid, about 2 1/2 weeks

no one knows if the 4wd leaf mounting holes are pre-drilled in the 2wd coil frame?