Ford 3930 4WD conversion

[fairhardware]

My trusted Ford 3930 4WD caught fire the other day...total loss. I am looking to replace it but used 4WD 3930s are a lot more than the 2WD. I am wondering if I can purchase a 2WD and bolt up my 4WD components which survived the fire (front axle, driveline etc). Both my old tractor and the replacement have the 8X8 shuttle trans. Is this a simple bolt on or would there be some differing output shaft or other configuration in the transmission or elsewhere that would require a more involved teardown. If its not easy than I might as well bite the bullet and buy a used 4WD.
Hoping someone who knows these old fellers can help...kinda sad without my tractor. Thanks!

 

[pmsmechanic]

The easiest way to figure this out is to Google Ford/New Holland parts and start looking through the parts diagrams for differences in the two types of tractors.

I would do it but I don't have time this morning. Maybe this evening if I don't forget.

 

[fishheadbob]

That sure sounds like a mighty scary project. I guess it's possible but would doubt that it would go smoothly and I can see a lot of visits to the parts department. You need to hear from Rick B. on this one.

 

[Phillip w]

I took on a project years ago putting a 4 speed transmission in place of an automatic. I had the wrecked truck sitting beside the good truck. In some ways it wasn't to bad. In some ways it was a real pain in the ***. Don't know, but converting to 4 wheel drive sounds more challenging to me. I'd be a little skeptical about trying it. Just my thoughts.

 

[RickB]

How badly did your 3930 burn? I’d probably take the transmission, front bolster and axle, driveshaft and front wheels from your MFD Tractor if they were useable.

 

[sixdogs]

I have converted narrow tractors to wide front ends, automatic cars to standard transmissions, swapped big truck rear axles and such. I've even cut a two ton truck in half and put it back together but five feet shorter. Now I'm on the edge of converting a 1960's two ton truck to 4WD and it doesn't look all that bad since I may have a donor truck for all the parts. If I had to buy OEM parts, the cost would surely be prohibitive.

I'll say it sounds like an intermediate difficulty job and it should work fine assuming you can find a junked 4WD. I believe lots of models used the same axle so do your homework on what fits. I think all the parts books are on line so you can see what's involved.

 

[pmsmechanic]

So I had a go at looking through some of the parts diagrams. There are just too many options for parts without knowing exactly what tractor and options you have. There are several different transmission models and at least two different transfer cases for the 4x4.

I just looked again and it looks like there are two different rear axle housings. One for 4x4 and one without. So that means you would need to use your rear axle housing which probably didn't get damaged in the fire.

You've got some decisions to make