WD45 Narrow to Wide Front End

Basically, you have to have the factory front end with the ballister (part that goes between the frame rails) and the front engine support that goes crosswise under the frame rails.

First you need to slightly raise the front end and support with jack stands.

Next you need to remove the bolts that hold the steering shaft bolts to the back of the ballister (sp).

Then remove the 4 bolts on each side of the frame rail. You may have to heat these bolts to get them out. Try not to twist them off. They are tough to get out if you twist then off.

Next I loosen all the bolts on the left side frame rail. It makes it a lot easier to get the front support out. My experience is that it's easier to loosen the frame rail right away. It makes the job a lot easier in the long run.

Pry the left frame rail out until the front support is loose, then forward to clear the steering shaft.

Basically reverse for the installation of the WFE.

I wish you were closer. I have a very good 3 bolt WFE that I would like to see someone get some good out of! $300 (+/-) seems to be the going price for a WFE with good spindles, hubs and bearings.

Edited by WF owner - 29 Dec 2014 at 4:44pm

So I should be able to buy the whole assembly that is ready to bolt on? No special pieces? Kind of a unit in itself? 

Yes. Most people selling them. Sell them as a complete unit. Maybe not rims & tires. But the narrow front hubs & rims are interchangeable. You can find them anywhere from $250 to $500. When you buy them. Look at all the moveable joints & steering gear for excessive were. All of it can be fixed, just adds to the total cost. I would recommend disassembling as WF owner said.
Ray W.

RW  when I got my wide front I completely went through it and replaced all worn bearings and seals and then painted it. Once I had it ready to install I swaped it over in a couple hrs.

after alifetime with a wide front on my wd iswicthed it to a narrow front still not sure that i am not going to switch it back to the wide front if the bolts inthe frame come out and the steering shaft u joint comes apart about an hour and a half  probley plan on replacing the u joint

The price is very reasonable, but to ship it 700 miles would make it not so cheap... Thanks for the offer, I will have to find one closer.

Don is right.
There is a 3 bolt wide front for sale east of Kalamazoo , MI right now. They are asking $350.
I may have one for sale within a couple months also.
Ray W.

Edited by Rltool - 30 Dec 2014 at 5:09am

What I've seen on average the 4 bolt ones are about $100 more. I'm not sure what is different between them. I know the front support plate bolt pattern is spread out more on the 4 bolt bolster. And the internal brg setup is different. Just by noticing the top cover plates are different.
Some one else on here will know more.
Ray W.

I have power steering and my narrow front is a solid unit unlike the one pictured.

Food for thought, the crankshaft pulley is actually different between wide and narrow front ends. I took out my narrow and put in a three bolt wide front, now the hand crank doesn't engage the pulley.

I've never swapped front ends, but I've had mine completely off and rebuilt like Rtool did. Pretty straightforward. If you do make the swap, make sure to disassemble your new bolster and replace all the seals. You don't want to get it all on and find out how much it leaks everywhere.

If your thinking about changing you better start soaking the bolts that hold the front end in the frame. Then by the time you are ready the bolts might come out easier.

I've found it easier to loosen the (left) frame rail right away. (To remove the right rail, you have to remove the belt pulley and drain the oil.)

After you get it loose, you have room to work. It's much easier with the frame rails separated.

The rear pivot pin did not get replaced just the rear bushing in plate with a grease fitting installed. The steering box needs to be cleaned out and new seals. I recon I am going for it. I can sell the narrow or switch back. I hope it is not a lot harder to steer. I appreciate the help. 

If you need more help you can send me a PM and I will walk you through it.
Don