Potential?

I have the oportunity to purchase a 1985 Ford F150 Ext'd cab, long bed. It was 2wd and converted 4wd. Its got the TTB upfront and right now it has small car tires on it but still towers over my stock bronco. There is no motor, but comes with the 4 spd transmission and transfercase. The whole front end is taken apart and piled into the bed, (core support, fenders, hood, etc.) The body was fully restored and is rust free. The interior is bad, rips, tears, missing panels, and the cab isn't bolted down either. NOW PROBABLY THE MOST IMORTANT PART. The cross member that the motor mounts are on , is cracked, because of poorly made custom lift. 1)My question to you is. Can I just "stop drill" the crack and weld it? or should I replace the whole cross member from a different truck? Which means I would have to drill out the factory rivets. NOW HERE IS THE SHOCKER. I can purchase the truck for $250 to $300 from my brother in-law. 2)My other question is Should I purchase this truck and start my first true project build? 3)My thirst question is Would that TTB stand up to 40" Boggers, for just a straight shot mud run, no turns, or frame benders, Just a mud pit?

Any Ideas, comments, or questions you have would be greatly appreciated.
Josh  
Fixed
Or
Repaired
Daily
  But you gotta love em.

1988 Dodge Power Ram 250 5.2L 318CID EFI, Granny Geared 4spd manual,8 bolt Dana 60 Back and 8 bolt Dana 40 front, 4x4, Custom Rear and front bumper, CB, Has electric trailer brake module, Motor Replaced with napa Rmfd engine last year, new cluth along with new u-joint on entire truck.

(SOLD)1992 Ford Bronco XLT 5.0L 302 CID swaped for 5.8L 351W CID, auto trans, Electric transfer case w/ manual lock hubs, dual cherry bomb exhaust,

Yes, you can just weld the crack, it will be fine. If you are worried about it you can weld then plate it.

I wouldn't run 40's on the TTB. I would be worried about the knuckles/bearings coming apart.

If you are going to do that much work to it just slap a solid axle under it.  
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Long Travel 4WD - The best of Both Worlds

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Ok I'm still debating about getting that truck, or a running 4x4 ranger I mentioned in another post. So i'll keep this in mind.

Thanx
josh  
Fixed
Or
Repaired
Daily
  But you gotta love em.

1988 Dodge Power Ram 250 5.2L 318CID EFI, Granny Geared 4spd manual,8 bolt Dana 60 Back and 8 bolt Dana 40 front, 4x4, Custom Rear and front bumper, CB, Has electric trailer brake module, Motor Replaced with napa Rmfd engine last year, new cluth along with new u-joint on entire truck.

(SOLD)1992 Ford Bronco XLT 5.0L 302 CID swaped for 5.8L 351W CID, auto trans, Electric transfer case w/ manual lock hubs, dual cherry bomb exhaust,