I want to convert my truck into a 2 wheel drive. Will I need a different 727 when I pull the tranfer case? or just a different tail shaft ? Is there any newer trannys that will bolt to a 440?

 

Just take the drive shaft out. Or are you changing the front suspension too?

 

I want to shed as much weight as possible... so yes, going to remove front gear and make it into a straight "gasser" axle and then the transfer case .

 

You can swap just the tail housing and shaft but I'm not sure how much work is involved. You can also just swap trannies with someone else who has a BB 2wd tranny looking for a 4x4 BB tranny. Probably even get some out of the deal or a well built tranny.

There are no newer trannies that I am aware of that will bolt up.

 

Thanks for the info Tim. I'll list the T case and other stuff in the classifieds.

 

O.o question why would you want to do this? Why not just buy a truck that is already a 2wd there is tons around the 4x4 are not so easy to find.

Its a lot of work to change to or from a 4 x4. The transmission itself is the same but the rear of the transmission is shorter on 727 as the output shaft was cut down to fit on the transfer case so yes you would need to change the transmission, along with the transmission crossmember to bolt up the 2wd transmission as it's mounted further back. Then there is the driveshaft which may or may not be a split driveshaft depending on the lenght of the truck.

The front of the truck for a 4x4 is mounted on the springs as the axle holds all the components for steering where a 2 wd most of the components are bolted or rivet to the truck frame and the spindle is mounted into a lower control arm into the engine crossmember that is usually welded into the truck frame and again different than a 4x4.

It would be far easier, and quicker to buy a 2wd truck of the same length as yours. swap the cab, front fenders, rad cradle, grills bumper and box onto the 2wd if all you want is for your truck to still look the same.

If all you want is the truck to look like a powerwagon but be a 2wd for gas milage buy a 2wd and put the powerwagon emblems on it and be done with it.

 

I'm in south Texas..so really no need for the 4wd... and the thought of dragging all this extra cast iron around really doesn't sit well with me..and if I were going to remake the entire front end, your argument would be valid. What I plan to do is remove the front axles, then cut the tubes where they go into the third member , drop the third member out and weld in a straight tube to replace it.I will have to fab one spring perch for the pass side... The drive-shaft is the mystery at this point . At what length do you decide to make it two pieces and run a center carrier bearing? There seems to have been 3 bed options on this truck ?

 

The truck 727 transmissions (both SB and BB) had long tail shaft housings. You may be surprised as to how close a 2wd tranny is to a 4x4 tranny w/t-case. The drive shaft that you have no can probably be lengthened. I'd look around for a shop that specializes is just driveshafts, they will tell you exactly what you should have and why.

As for the front end, pulling it out, cutting the diff out and welding in a tube won't gain you that much in weight loss since going that way would require you to sleeve it. If the axle is a dana 60, then you'd be better off selling it and swapping in a dana 44, pull the carrier and axle shafts and call it a day. If its already a dana 44, do what I mentioned above.

Spring perches are a dime a dozen online too, probably cheaper to buy one than to make one.

As for the beds, I only know of two options, short and long. Cabs would have been reg, extended and crew though. Do you have any pictures?

 

Just go buya 2 wheel drive truck.you save your self a lot of head aches.

 

2th that. IF YOU must keep the truck you have for sentimental reasons Buy a two wheel drive truck Spend a lot of time and energy to swap suspensions between the two.... sell the 4x4 you have created

 

Even if you change up the front axle, you could still leave the transfer case in with out the forward drive shaft. Then you would have the advantage of a low range that could pull hell off hinges!

 

That is doable with some t-case but not all. Dodge did put some full time 4wd t-case in their trucks. If you pull the front drive shaft out you'll burn up the viscous coupling inside of the t-case and could lose your 4wd.

You could go with a truck that is already 2wd and swapping your motor over with a 2wd tranny. Of course if you want to have a truck that is lifted just for show I'd keep what you have, throw on some 35s and swap trannies.

Realistically there are a few different ways you can go here and each have their ups and down. You just have to figure out what works best for you.

 

Why not try to locate a 2wd front end out of another truck?

 

The 2wd front end is IFS where the 4wd front end is a solid axle. It's easy to go from 2wd to 4wd but hard the other way.

 

Let me know how this works out for you. when your done I have 1970 Ford 4x4 that I want to install a 1955 332 red ram hemi in with a GM Turbo 400 and a 10 bolt pontiac posi differential in the front. maybe you can help me.

 

I have a 76 dodge w200 awd with a 318 and I want to do a 440 and convert it to 4x4 not awd do I need to change out the tranny at all or just t-case and what tcase would be a good replacement