Just getting some opinions, I have a lifted 2wd. But with the snow and such around here I want to convert it to 4wd. I can have all of the parts for the conversion from my buddy for 500 bucks. I'm wondering for this price if you guys think it'd be worth it. The truck I have now has sentimental value, not to mention everything I have already done to it.

 

It can't be converted that easily. Are you trying to convert it to an ifs 4wd or are you going solid axle? In the long run a solid axle swap would be the easiest and probably cheapest swap too. Not too mention you'll also need a 4wd transmission and transfer case too.

 

what year truck? IFS isn't a bolt on deal. Better off swapping over your body and motor if they have the same cab/bed configuration.

 

His garage says he has a 02 f150, so I'm assuming he's either trying to swap from a 97-03 4x4 or hes going sas, but he left out a lot of details.

 

Being the perdicament that you are in I would SAS. You are trying convert to a 4x4 on a junkyard budget so go to a junk yard and find a steer axle. You will have to decide wether you want link set up or a leaf set up, leaf being the cheaper of the bunch and start fabricating.

I did a toyota leaf spring SAS in 01 and it was much easier than I thought it would be because I had so much information from others that had done it to go off of but I am sure that you could do it for not much more than going with an IFS conversion. You are still going to need a transfer case, leafs are cheap, your going to need a steering box, drag link and panard bar setup but go for it. Being that you are going to have to get all of the front guts you are kind in a good position.

Other hand keep the sentimental truck and just buy a 4x4. The sas will cost you between 4K & 6K.

 

Sorry for the missing details. I was planning on just converting to a 4x4 not the solid axle. I have an 02 and his is a 97-03. Everything I need he has, transfer case, tranny, etc. Just figured since I had the resources to do the conversion for cheap than why not. Thats why I didn't consider sas. But than again I've never done a conversion before so I wanted to get some opinions. Can't find many people who have done it

 

To convert to ifs 4x4 would be a serious pain, the cost to do it would be much more than a solid axle. If your considering doing it though, snag the drivetrain components and then start looking for a set of axles. But I wouldn't even consider doing it to an ifs front end, it's just not worth it when you could have one ton components up front that would be so much stronger, not too mention a lot cheaper to lift, and cheaper to swap. Lift leafs are pretty cheap compared to a 97-03 4x4 lift kit, especially if you go with older axles, lift leafs for those are about half of a 4x4 lift.

 

Hmm I'm clueless on what I'd exactly need for a sas than. I was just going with the ifs because I can have everything thats needed for 500 bucks. Anyone have any specific suggestions for the sas swap? And what would the price range for that be? The majority of my buddies are mechanics but I'd just rather hear your opinions and such for now. Thanks guys

 

To do IFS 4wd conversion easily you need the frame of the truck.

To do a SAS you need axle, steering, brake lines, drive shafts, t-case, leaf springs, leaf spring hangers, shackles, and a whole lot that i'm forgetting.

It would be cheaper to just get a 4wd truck for a toy than to convert your current truck

 

Well I mean I would be getting the whole truck from um but wouldn't want the frame, mine is mint, undercoated and such, his is rusted to sh**. Sucks it's such a damn pain. Just want some 4 wheel but reallyy don't want to get rid of mine or buy another one. I'm only 20 lol livin at home workin full time and going to college full time so my dad would kill be if I have another toy in the driveway

 

You'd think that, but they get over it pretty quickly

Financially, your better off getting a new truck rather than trying to get 4wd installed on that one.

 

Very true. Everything I've done to it so far, I got the ol "Whatever it's your money do want ya gotta do but don't come cryin to me when you f**k it up" lol. But idk I love my truck and its in perfect condition. I bought it off my grandma when my grandpa passed away, which makes it that much more important to me. So I'll either bite the bullet and throw 4wd in it or just lift it more as is lol

 

Try snow tires.

 

^^And a locker.^^

 

Thought about a locker but research tells me that it just kills the back tires for a daily driver. And snow tires. . . I have them but they are just way too small now with the lift and I didn't want to spend the money for more tires when I may lift it again soon and will just need bigger tires yet again.