4X4 Conversion
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Joined: Jan 2011
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From: Bullitt County, Kentucky
4X4 Conversion
I have a 2wd and lately I've been kicking myself in the butt for not getting a 4X4 and me and my cousin are gonna try and do a 4x4 conversion on my truck. Im in highschool so buyin a 4wd truck is out of the question right now.Has anyone done this and if so what do i need off of a 4wd truck and how hard was it? Thanks
Aerospace Engineer
Joined: Nov 2010
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From: Comstock Park, MI
Disclaimer: Its almost always cheaper to sell the 2wd, scrounge up some extra money and buy a 4x4 instead. Its definately always quicker.
That said, you will need transmission, transfer case, both drive shafts, front suspension, front axle complete out to the brakes, steering linkage (usually), transfer case shifter/controls, possible wiring harness and GEM changes and possibly transmission and front frame cross members. Not all of these parts bolt in, some are rivited and require welding to replace (cross members).
Your best bet is to get a donor truck with decent drive train / crap body and change out the parts one at a time doing a side by side comparison. Inspect the parts as you go and replace anything worn or damaged (most likely seals, bushings, u-joints, and shocks; maybe springs.) You could also go the other way and swap your trucks body onto the donor truck if the frame, wiring, brakes, and such are good.
That said, you will need transmission, transfer case, both drive shafts, front suspension, front axle complete out to the brakes, steering linkage (usually), transfer case shifter/controls, possible wiring harness and GEM changes and possibly transmission and front frame cross members. Not all of these parts bolt in, some are rivited and require welding to replace (cross members).
Your best bet is to get a donor truck with decent drive train / crap body and change out the parts one at a time doing a side by side comparison. Inspect the parts as you go and replace anything worn or damaged (most likely seals, bushings, u-joints, and shocks; maybe springs.) You could also go the other way and swap your trucks body onto the donor truck if the frame, wiring, brakes, and such are good.
Last edited by BigIrish; Jan 25, 2011 at 09:30 PM.
Thread Starter
Senior Member
Joined: Jan 2011
Posts: 645
Likes: 0
From: Bullitt County, Kentucky
Disclaimer: Its almost always cheaper to sell the 2wd, scrounge up some extra money and buy a 4x4 instead. Its definately always quicker.
That said, you will need transmission, transfer case, both drive shafts, front suspension, front axle complete out to the brakes, steering linkage (usually), transfer case shifter/controls, possible wiring harness and GEM changes and possibly transmission and front frame cross members. Not all of these parts bolt in, some are rivited and require welding to replace (cross members).
Your best bet is to get a donor truck with decent drive train / crap body and change out the parts one at a time doing a side by side comparison. Inspect the parts as you go and replace anything worn or damaged (most likely seals, bushings, u-joints, and shocks; maybe springs.) You could also go the other way and swap your trucks body onto the donor truck if the frame, wiring, brakes, and such are good.
That said, you will need transmission, transfer case, both drive shafts, front suspension, front axle complete out to the brakes, steering linkage (usually), transfer case shifter/controls, possible wiring harness and GEM changes and possibly transmission and front frame cross members. Not all of these parts bolt in, some are rivited and require welding to replace (cross members).
Your best bet is to get a donor truck with decent drive train / crap body and change out the parts one at a time doing a side by side comparison. Inspect the parts as you go and replace anything worn or damaged (most likely seals, bushings, u-joints, and shocks; maybe springs.) You could also go the other way and swap your trucks body onto the donor truck if the frame, wiring, brakes, and such are good.
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No, the trans is not the same. The 4wd transmissions use a shorter output shaft than the 2wd's. To change the output shaft, the whole trans will have to be pulled apart. Better and much easier to find a 4wd trans.
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Aerospace Engineer
Joined: Nov 2010
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From: Comstock Park, MI
Exactly correct. You also have to change to the 4x4 tail housing that has provisions for a t-case bolting onto the end. Some transmissions are designed so that its a quick job if you have a donor trans with the correct output shaft and housing by unbolting the housing and pulling the shaft out. Others, you have to get the output shaft out through the front of the case by disassembling the entire damn thing.
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From: SoCal
Exactly correct. You also have to change to the 4x4 tail housing that has provisions for a t-case bolting onto the end. Some transmissions are designed so that its a quick job if you have a donor trans with the correct output shaft and housing by unbolting the housing and pulling the shaft out. Others, you have to get the output shaft out through the front of the case by disassembling the entire damn thing.
DAAAANG....that would not be fun to have to pull the entire trans just to pull that out
