what would be involved in converting my truck from 2x4 to 4x4? i know there's a lot of labor involved, and its a very expensive conversion, and i'd be better off buying a 4x4 instead of converting mine, but i want to know what is involved. i know i would need a transfer case, front axle, and new driveshafts. ive also been told that i would need custom fabricated crossmembers. what else would be needed? thanks...

 

I'm working on the same thing right now. Looks like i can get a tranny with a transfer case and it will be the same length as the 2wd tranny so i won't need a new rear driveshaft. I might have to move the crossmember forward a few inches but thats no biggy. Also will have to cut a hole in the floor for the shifter. As far as the front axle, a 4wd axle will bolt right in, then it's just a matter of swapping the ring and pinion gears to match the rear axle. I'm gathering the parts for it right now, i think i could do the actual conversion in one day.

-Jon

 

what about the front suspension? do you have to modify anything? do you have coils on the front or leafs? thanks for the info, i would LOVE to do this to my truck (in the distant future because of $$$ reasons).

 

I have coils with the twin I-beam suspension. I am going to replace it with a 4wd twin i-beam type set up. Coils and radius arms should match right up to the new axle, and everything should bolt together no problem. If you have a solid axle with leafs then the swap would be even easier.

I guess that with the new 4wd axle the front end will sit higher, then before, so you need blocks or some way of lifting the rear. I already have a 6 inch suspension lift front and rear, and i will probably need to jack the back up another 2 inches to match up with the new front axle, so that will give me a total of 8 inches supension lift and 3 inches of body lift!!


Check out this website - 2x4 to 4x4 conversion for 1980 to 1996 F-150's:

http://www.ford-trucks.com/articles/...conversion.php

It will only let you read 1/2 the article unless you register (it's free). The article basically states that the conversion is easy, 100% bolt up, no cutting drilling or welding. The hardest part is the transmission swap.

I'm going to start on the conversion next week. I'll probably do the axle first then the tranny later when i have $$. The truck will be drivable in between so it's no big deal.


-Jon

 

wow, thats awesome! i think i found my next project after my engine swap project . let me know how it goes, good luck with everything!

 

you shouldn't have to cut anything, the trucks are mass produced. you should have a knock out plate for the shifter (or try eletric shift) and if I remember right, the tailhousing on your tanny should slip off (after unbolting) and the t-case should bolt on (don't quote me it has been a while). But everything else should match up.

 

You can take the tailshaft off the tranny and put a transfer case on but it also involves swapping the output shaft which means you have to disassemble the whole tranny.

-Jon

 

I was at www.ford-truck.com looking at the Tech Articles when I saw this one and I remembered you asked this a while back..check it out.
http://www.ford-trucks.com/articles/...conversion.php