OBS F350 4X4 Conversion

This video will help you understand a few of the necessary steps to converting a 2WD OBS truck to 4WD.
#lonestar4wdconversion
Lone Star 4WD Conversion forum write-up
Take your time reading thru this, there are a lot of helpful tips for someone looking to do a conversion like this!
If you have any questions please leave a comment and I’ll answer it asap!
www.ford-truck...
Obs
Ford
F150
F250
F350
4wd
4x4
4by4
2wd
2x4
2by4
Conversion
Old body style
7.3
Suspension
Solid axle
Straight axle
Dana60
Dana 60
D60
Sterling
10.25
10 1/4
Differential
Diff
Pumpkin
Gears
Manual
Transmission
Transfer case

[@dannytattooflash]

I was super impressed with your knowledge and skills. Really enjoyed watching someone doing a great job.

[@lifeofdan1265]

Great video and your truck looks awesome! I’ve had my Sky’s RSK sitting in the garage for a minute. I still need to find a passenger u bolt plate and order shock buckets. Hopefully I’ll have my swap done in the next few weeks

[@obsdieselbros4160]

Thanks! Sweet! Have fun, if you hit any speed bumps let me know always happy to help!

[@williamvangelder8272]

12:54 12:54 12:54

[@zaceusa4101]

Incredible. Thank you

[@obsdieselbros4160]

Absolutely! Hope it helps a little!

[@nd7368]

This is a nice truck! I like the wheel/tire setup

[@obsdieselbros4160]

Thanks, unfortunately I hit a drainage curb the other day and tore off one of the ss hub covers! I’d love some 10 lug Alcoa’s though!😎 Fuel makes some sweet looking “Alcoa” wheels but they’re a bit pricy!

[@ronaldduwaynebrown8071]

Sweet looking truck

[@obsdieselbros4160]

Thanks!

[@ReindeerBork]

Nice truck. Did you swap out your trans yet? You should also drop your drive shaft carrier, mine would click under full load, the 4x4’s have a lower bracket then 2wd (mind you I have a shorter WB than you).

[@obsdieselbros4160]

I have not but my clutch is giving me problems so that will happen faster than I realized! I hadn’t even thought about that, I’ll pull the one off the 4x4 and slap it on when I put the trans back in, thanks for the tip!

[@howardwatts4238]

Been wanting to do this glad u did. Have owned 96 sence new. Now am 75 no money and too old to care but nice job.

[@obsdieselbros4160]

Hey thank you! That’s impressive, owning it since new! How many miles do you have? It was a fun job to do, minimal “grunt” work, mostly methodical and time consuming!

[@jesses.7107]

Looked way better with the stuff on it

[@jwfmechanical9864]

How do I find the vendors to purchase the hardware?

[@adammorales2380]

Looks amazing what product did you use for the bluing?

[@matteooballa3581]

Recently acquired a minty 89 f250 rwd, looking to swap it over to 4x4 with parts from a same year same model 4x4 donor truck. I know I’ll have to buy the reverse shackle kit but are there any other tips you have on how to save a buck or 2?? You seem like the right guy to ask haha Edit: it’s a 460, not a 7.3. Not sure if you know but could I still use a 7.3 trans and all those bits?

[@obsdieselbros4160]

Yes, I am indeed lol As far as the 460/7.3 trans I am clueless! But search on FordTruckEnthusiast forum and you will for sure find all the info you need! Saving a buck, -taking the shock towers from the donor -tie rods ets. (If they’re in decent shape) - I put in new BJs and all axel seals, kinda unnecessary Pull some SD springs from a yard (if you are doing a SD spring RSK, if not then use the springs off the donor) -shocks can be reused if decent -Brakes from the donor I’d say that’s about is, I went through everything because I wanted to get in it and drive 8 hrs and not worry about something falling off the front end! Good luck, check out that forum write-up I did, not bragging but I think it’s the best one out there as far as detail.

[@markhood4187]

A snap on air hammer knocks those rivets right off much easier

[@obsdieselbros4160]

We used a air hammer with a pencil eraser size punch but that didn’t knock any out. Although I’m not in the Snap-On class of mechanics here lol

[@markhood4187]

I'm not snap on class either I have a cheap air hammer that did nothing so I borrowed my buddies snap on with a chisel bit on it and knocked the heads right off . Then I though my China hammer in the garbage when it comes to air hammers I've learned to not be cheap pay the 350.00$ for the snap on it will last the rest of your life and it will make things like that so much easier.

[@obsdieselbros4160]

Sounds like sound advice! Next go around ill give it a try!

[@Blackking1301]

Whats the lift height?

[@phelans9251]

Came out great!

[@jimpoteete6133]

Great video. What was cost for your conversion? I have a 1990 F 350 dually, and would like to covert to 4x4. Thank you

[@kirbygates9531]

Sweet truck 👍👍👍👍👍

[@obsdieselbros4160]

Thanks Kirby! 😃

[@kirbygates9531]

@@obsdieselbros4160 I just bought my son an 97 f250 4x4 7.3 it's in pretty good shape runs like a top his plans r to restore the truck as they r going up in price its stock right now I'm trying to convince him to do solid front axle swap but I don't think he will as he wants it to be stock with a little 2" lift

[@kirbygates9531]

Love them OBS ford's

[@obsdieselbros4160]

Oh man those solid axle swaps are pretty easy and such an improvement on reliability! The RSK with soft springs will keep it looking pretty stock!

[@Alex10Al]

That’s a good looking truck 👍🏽

[@obsdieselbros4160]

Thanks man!

[@chuckfowler4754]

Good job. Enjoyed the video👍

[@obsdieselbros4160]

Hey thank you!

[@8908chopperjoe]

Do you have a video yet for the drive train?

[@obsdieselbros4160]

Man I don’t yet. Turns out my donor tranny needs to be rebuilt and I’ve been putting it off.

[@rodolfogarza4109]

very good job I have a question maybe you can help me I have a 4x4 donor from a 97 f350 7.5 GAS... I want to put it on my 2wd 7.3 97 do you think it could work?

[@andrewasbill3690]

do all front axles have leaf springs? I am not super familiar with 4x4 setups

[@thudson.460]

hey man, I've got a 1986 f350 dually I want to do a 4x4 conversion onto it, and wondering if I could get any advice. I just bought a 1989 dana 60 kingpin high pinion front axle for it, and I've got a 7.3 idi, 4x4 ZF5 manual transmission, and transfer case to put onto it.

[@kismetcorp]

How much did all this cost raw

[@howardwatts4238]

I get 15.8 short trips 16 to 18 if i go out of town then 10 to 12 pulling

[@obsdieselbros4160]

Pretty good mileage!

[@loganlitsjo3956]

I have a 1995 F250 Rwd looking into a 4x4 swap, how similar is the 350 swap to the 250?

[@donke5072]

Does this kit have any effect on tow load capacity? I want to convert mine to 4x4 but don’t want to lose my trucks potential.

[@obsdieselbros4160]

In theory all you are doing is putting a solid axle under the front, in many many ways more sturdy than the twin I beam (TIB). As far as the rear, all that happens is a (stock) 4” block is set under the springs. So from a “stock” point of view, no it in no way lowers payload. If anything it gives a more sturdy front end. And if you’re concerned about the blocks Sky makes a rear spring shackle kit that lowers the spring so that it bolts directly to the axle and gives you the level you need to match the front.

[@johnwakefield96]

looks great, Are the tires 235/85r16's?

[@obsdieselbros4160]

Thank you, yep good guess!

[@EdBlack-]

What was your total cost

[@RustyWheelRanch]

I take all the trip you took off, ha ha

[@obsdieselbros4160]

If I still had it, it would be yours!

[@cworth9856]

What transmission do you have and what transfer case is compatible with it

[@obsdieselbros4160]

I have the manual transmission (ZF5) and as far as compatibility of other transfer cases I don’t know off the top my head. I would assume there are quite a few as all it is is a splined shaft out the transmission.

[@andalonequipfin]

100! Would you consider doing this work for a potential customer?

[@obsdieselbros4160]

I’m a business man! I’m sure we can figure something out!

[@andalonequipfin]

@@obsdieselbros4160 Shared your video with a hood friend who owns an 2WD Excursion….. let’s see if he reaches out to you….I am still undecided which truck to invest in.

[@jacobn516]

Did the dual shocks in the front really help? I've been thinking about doing the same to my truck.

[@obsdieselbros4160]

Well being it was a twin I beam suspension before I really can’t say if they work “better” because I don’t know what they would have been without. My goal was to have the best suspension I could have before coil sprung axles.

[@-MOYST-]

I have the same set up but single shock with the rsk and it rides awesome. Smoother ride than my dads super duty.

[@jacobn516]

@@-MOYST- forgive me but what's rsk

[@-MOYST-]

@@jacobn516 reverse shackle kit. It relocates the Front shackle on the rear of the leaf spring.

[@Corey_Fox]

Im doing the same swap on my 96 dually. Just put the blocks on the rear last night. Could you offer any advice on the rear shock part number and extended sway bar link? It measures 24.5 extended and 16 collapsed, not sure what shock fits. Great video and good looking truck!

[@obsdieselbros4160]

B8 5125 are the shocked I used for the rear with stock 4x4 blocks! And the rear links, I can’t remember if I used the extensions from SKY mfg. or just the ones off the donor

[@obsdieselbros4160]

Actually I think I used spacers from Sky, the SRW links are different from the DRW if I recall correctly.

[@obsdieselbros4160]

My donor was a SRW

[@Corey_Fox]

@@obsdieselbros4160 Thanks for the reply. Turns out those are the same shock I have for the front end. So I’ll just pick up two more. I talked to sky and they confirmed what you said on the sway bar links. My dually ones are 12.75” long which is still a few inches short. I guess I’ll be looking into buying their extensions or welding on some 5/8” tubing diy extensions. Cheers!

[@obsdieselbros4160]

Sweet! Glad it’s going well! Super fun project and the satisfaction after it’s all done is amazing! There’s nothing like a OBS 4x4 Dually! 😃

[@codyharding142]

Which kit is this

[@obsdieselbros4160]

Well, referring to the RSK, they’re Super Duty spring shackles. I didn’t buy the kit, I kinda got stuff from here and there. If you follow the link in the description to the forum, it lists all the parts and where I got them from.

[@Pokeible]

What color code is that?

[@obsdieselbros4160]

“Travel Time Custom Paint” Paint MFG “DuPont” Paint Type “Cronar” Paint Code #1 “B 8954” Clear Coat Code “7500 s”

[@cuong81vlog59]

Do you think they have lift kit in the market for rear wheel drive dually 1995 obs 7.3 powerstroke turbo diesel truck?

[@obsdieselbros4160]

I believe rough country makes one and there’s one other out there can’t think of who makes it but that being said I would strongly discourage it as that suspension is not designed to have a lift and it will throw out the alignment and steering quite a bit.

[@obsdieselbros4160]

cpaddict.com/complete-performance-2wd-leveling-kit-1980-97-f-250-f-350/

[@jmccauley395]

my mac air hammer would swipe them off in seconds

[@josea.penabaldera5210]

You’re missing the side steps.

[@joshuaflowers736]

where's step 2, lol?

[@jackpurvis3087]

Want to do mine?!

[@obsdieselbros4160]

Haha I guess for the right price, as they say! As long as you have all your parts ready to go on and you have the knowledge or in my case the research, it’s really not that terrible of a job!

[@THEBULLETPROOFGARAGE]

Hey - I'm doing the same thing to my truck! Thanks for posting this!!! Scott

[@obsdieselbros4160]

Absolutely! Love your videos too! Looking forward to the completion of your truck! (but both of us know we will never reach it lol)

[@JorgeAlvarado-v7f]

Did somebody know where is the shop from this person

[@felixnungaray3253]

Where did you get the front hubs for the dana 60? I want to do this to my truck but i want to keep the dually rims.

[@obsdieselbros4160]

So I got mine from a guy who can search junk yards across the country and then have the parts pulled and drop shipped to you. My email is [e-mail] email me and I’ll send you his contact info. It was like 400$ shipping and all, came with the bearings and everything!

[@jakobwalter5306]

Awesome truck! Im doing a similar conversion, did you have any issues with rear driveshaft angle or vibrations? Any change to carrier bearing height or adjustments made to correct the pinion angle? I believe the factory 4wd trucks had a dropped carrier bearing but I could be mistaken. Great looking rig!

[@obsdieselbros4160]

Hey thank! If I recall correctly, the 4wd does have a dropped carrier but I have had no vibration what so ever so I didn’t want to tear into it if I didn’t really need to but I would say to do it correctly the dropped carrier should be swapped in! I have heard of others doing this swap that had trouble with that..

[@gfree8037]

What did the whole thing cost you?

[@chrisgalloway2370]

What would you charge to do this

[@howardwatts4238]

Well was a silver and gold smith did shows all over the us, had 89 t250 hd with 460. Wife kept seeing venders getting crew cabs when powerstroke came out we got one. She got sick in 2005 breast cancer it was 2010 when she passed. So not much went on a few shows but only inside short ones now only one or two a year. Has 316000 on the clock. Has been estamated at 550 to 600 at the rear wheels a dont use it because 1700 for tires. Pulling only 9600lb 5th wheel now. 32 ft. Rockwood. It sets a lot now.

[@obsdieselbros4160]

Wow! That is one incredible story, so cool you have kept it throughout the years! And Cancer Sucks

[@obsdieselbros4160]

My dad was actually a silversmith! And this was His truck! Y’all had a lot in common lol

[@chuckfowler4754]

Did you have to get a drop pitman arm or will the stock work?

[@obsdieselbros4160]

I did get a dropped one, and it made things pretty darn close to horizontal! But you could sure do it without. Your steering would probably have some “bump steer” as they say. Depends on how highway worthy you need it to be.

[@dannysavagedraftguru]

Ball park figure what it cost ?

[@obsdieselbros4160]

Donor was 2k All new hardware 2k New shocks New springs New break lines etc etc. Another grand 5k total If you’re on a budget and don’t mind scrounging used parts then half that easy maybe less

[@devinbishop1882]

Can you link all the kits you used? Thank you!

[@obsdieselbros4160]

Hey Devin, if you follow the link in the description it will take you to the forum where there will be a comprehensive list of what I purchased and where.

[@zackpalmer6474]

I gotta question i have a 1999 f250 2wd and my wifes dad just gave me a 1995 f350 4x4 that he rolled is there any possible way i can put the front and rear axles in my 1999 f250 to make me a F350? Both have 7.3s and the 1995 is manual and 1999 is automatic

[@traderz3399]

Whered you buy the truck?

[@obsdieselbros4160]

Texas

[@PatrickMurrin]

Good job man! Thanks, now I see what's involved....for my mechanic! I work on houses. ;)

[@kirbywinters1291]

I have all of the parts to do the swap just need to find a clean crew cab dually now

[@obsdieselbros4160]

They’re out there, hard to find at times but definitely out there. Don’t be afraid to ask if you see one in town or whatever people are usually willing to make a deal more than you’d think!Good luck!

[@adammorales2380]

Are you still looking for one?

[@kenthuntsingersr7501]

yeaaaaaa she bad ass now for sure.

[@obsdieselbros4160]

Thanks man! 👍🏻😃

[@QuikModsOBS]

How much to convert mine lol fr

[@obsdieselbros4160]

Hey I’m always up for a money making project, those are far and few between hahah

[@QuikModsOBS]

@@obsdieselbros4160 where you guys located

[@obsdieselbros4160]

South Texas,

[@luisjonassk8]

Looks great, man!

[@obsdieselbros4160]

Thank you! Now the hard part, what’s next! 😃

[@theneanderthal6854]

Mean as rig!

[@obsdieselbros4160]

Thanks!

[@vivalastatic]

Awesome truck!

[@obsdieselbros4160]

Thanks! Quite the adventure!

[@fordtuff83]

Is that their 2" RSK ? And what size tires did you go with ? Looks great 👍 I'm about to start my single cab dually conversion soon !

[@obsdieselbros4160]

Yes sir that’s the 2” and the tires are 30.5 as that’s the biggest my Discount would go on 6” wides :/ Good luck! Read thru that forum linked, it has a lot of good info on small parts, odds & ends!

[@fordtuff83]

I have a C&C truck for the donor parts (Dana 60 and the smaller parts that I'll need but don't have on the 2wd truck). I don't mind the look of yours is why I asked about the tire size. Preferably 35" tires but I like the idea of just keeping the stock steel wheels with a little taller tire instead of going crazy with wider wheels and tires and then having to run a spacer in-between the rears to keep them from touching.

[@obsdieselbros4160]

Yeah same I hate the idea of spacers but it definitely limits you using steels. I used c&c hubs and had a hiccup with the rotors they were just different enough to not allow the rotors to bolt on you might check that… Fuels are lug centric and they bore their hub size as a one size fits all so I’ve been looking for a set of dodge fuels on CL (fact check me on the fuels that’s second hand info)

[@obsdieselbros4160]

The only real reason I’m wanting to get 35s is my 4:10 gears has me wide open to cruse 80 and those larger tires will bring rpms down to ~2380 at 80mph which will be amazing!

[@fordtuff83]

Absolutely...I get it, mine hasn't ever been my highway truck is why that part doesn't bother me. As far as the hub issue you ran into, my situation is a little different... my Dana 60 is in a factory 4x4 C&C... so I'll just be using the front end as is in my 2wd dually pickup...

[@codybell8103]

Great video very informative !

[@obsdieselbros4160]

Thanks! Had a lot of fun doing it!

[@aeasus]

Very nice job. I did the opposite to my truck. I had a F250 4WD diesel and added a posi dually axle on the rear. Along with several other upgrades.

[@obsdieselbros4160]

Thank you! Yeah I love the idea of the newer axles under it but I just love the bearing set up on these old trucks. Maybe someday if I find a nice set of SD axles I’ll swap em out!

[@aeasus]

@@obsdieselbros4160 The F250 came with 2 drive wheels in 4WD (limited slip), now it has 5 drive wheels (positraction) and dualizes. This makes a huge difference when off-road towing. But at the end of the day it's still a HD 3/4 ton truck because of the front split axle. Did you also use hub extenders on the front axle or was it from a cab and chassis?

[@obsdieselbros4160]

Wow, late response sorry! The hubs came off a C&C truck, shipped to me from Washington state! Hard to find, I did find out the rotors are different for a C&C truck than a reg truck.

[@aeasus]

@@obsdieselbros4160 I miss my truck every day.

[@kenxiong6830]

Probably easier to just buy a 4WD truck

[@BlackJebus97]

Suuure.... Given how expensive and hard to find these trucks are, makes more sense to work with what you've got

[@kenxiong6830]

@@BlackJebus97 I don’t think it’s any easier finding the parts to covert it over. That’s all but dried up. It’s no easy conversion.

[@AKAFringe]

What truck seats do you have?

[@EMT0210]

How much could this cost?

[@obsdieselbros4160]

Donor was 2k All new hardware 2k New shocks New springs New break lines etc etc. Another grand 5k total If you’re on a budget and don’t mind scrounging used parts then half that easy maybe less

[@obsdieselbros4160]

Did that answer your question @EMT0210 ?

[@jesusserrano5390]

Hello I bought a 1996 f350 it already has leaf springs on it what differential do I need?

[@obsdieselbros4160]

If it’s a F350 and it has leaf springs then you have a Dana 60 axle does that answer your question?

[@tish_u2391]

Did you take the axle off of another obs ford around the same year? Or is it a newer/ older axle?

[@obsdieselbros4160]

I took it off a late 1995 so same year pretty much mine is a 96 I don’t recal the exact date they went to ball joint from King Pin. There are many axles you can put under them with little to no trouble.

[@tish_u2391]

@@obsdieselbros4160 Alright, good to know! Thanks

[@hotrod6919]

My brother did a 4x4 conv and swapped his IDI for a powerstroke 5speed manuel in his 92' crewcab duelly like 10 years ago took everything off a banged up low mile 97' F-250 did it in like 2 weeks for under the price he sold his banks sidewinder i remember it well since he did all his pounding out rivets with a cold chizel for days with no end next to my bedroom window. he just finally ditched the dana 50 just a few months ago for Newer SD axels Damn truck steers wide like an Aircraft carrier and tops out @ 55 knots down a steep grade, but he loves it cause his wife will never wanna drive it

[@obsdieselbros4160]

Haha man that’s awesome! Yeah them rivets can be a pain in the butt! I found using a right angle grinder worked the best then pound them out with a drift. These trucks sure do have a wide swing to them, getting in my wife’s Accord makes me feel like a race car driver lol

[@hotrod6919]

@@obsdieselbros4160 No shit and try pulling into a parking spot easily anywhere other then pinoccio lot. its a beautful rig now even red like yours cheap n easy to maintain unlike my 6.0 but it was the biggest pos when he bought it off a 60yr old tweeker for 1200 and like a week later we were arguing while driving down the Hwy so he slammed on the brakes to kick me out but slowly slid on the bald tires and wet asphalt into a ditch and rolled on its side so i took the opprtunity unbuckled and started swingin while he was pinned for a few minutes till we realized cops are commin so we climbed out tried to push it back over till the FD showed up said we sideswiped a coyote and tied a rope to the fire engine and somehow drove it home dragging the front bumper and ony could make left turns Those trucks are like cockroaches cant kill'em

[@obsdieselbros4160]

Bahahahaha I don’t have brothers, sometimes I wish I did and others I’m glad I didn’t lol Awesome story!

[@coconutblood750]

do you have the guy that found you the hubs?

[@obsdieselbros4160]

Yeah, send me a email. [e-mail]

[@shawnlundy8905]

What year axle do you have?

[@obsdieselbros4160]

It came off a 1995 F350 I have not run specs on the axle to figure exact DOMFG

[@Turbotalkin]

Looks awesome! Im looking to dually swap my crew cab obs

[@obsdieselbros4160]

Thank you! It’s a blast! They look sweet with a solid front axle! 😃

[@Turbotalkin]

@@obsdieselbros4160 I have a single rear wheel 4x4 f350 just cant find a nice dually bed to do the swap. Agreed dana 60 looks tuff up front I have a pmf RSK with superduty springs

[@obsdieselbros4160]

@@Turbotalkin yeah finding the dually bed is a pistol! I wish they were like the SD trucks where you just slap a fender on it! :/ My brother in law just bought a SRW converted to a dually and the paint doesn’t quite match but it’s a good bed!

[@Turbotalkin]

@@obsdieselbros4160 yeah most beds I find have busted fenders and my trucks 2 tone blue and grey so doubt I'll ever find the right color but id definitely like to repaint the truck one day once I finish it, looking at stage 1.5 injectors e fuel cnc fab stage 2 Hpop 2010+ black leather interior and the dually swap. Would pretty much be my holy grail truck at that point

[@obsdieselbros4160]

@@Turbotalkin Haha sounds like we have the same truck plans in mind! OBS Solutions makes some stupid easy SD seat brackets that makes the whole thing a bolt together deal! That blue/Grey is beautiful!

[@aaronthompson8571]

Are the transmission crossmembers different on a 4x4? That’s the only thing giving me trouble with my conversion. Transfer case rear output flange is up against the bottom of the cab

[@obsdieselbros4160]

Tbh, I haven’t gotten that far! I have the donor so I can scrounge off it but I plan on making the pt.2 being the tranny and t-case!

[@obsdieselbros4160]

Yes! The crosmembers are different! I had to use the one of the 4x4

[@warlock103warlock6]

I been looking for a body kit like you took off

[@obsdieselbros4160]

That’s mighty unfortunate! I threw it away after storing it in the shop for a year with no takers on FB market up for free!

[@obsdieselbros4160]

I hate throwing away stuff like that but my “shop” is a 20’ sea can!” Lol