I have a 97 F250 HD 2wd and ive noticed that whenever im offroad or in an area in which i see which tire spins its only the back passenger side. Once i did see the back drivers side get the power because it was stuck and my buddy insisted he could get it out (hes more experienced in that haha) but whenever i do a burn out its always the back passenger side and i just wanted to know if this is normal im not sure what kind of diff it has or how to find out so any insight would be helpful.

 

You have an open diff. I have pretty much the same truck and on pavement it's usually my passenger side that breaks loose. I'm thinking that the orientation of the ring and pinion in the diff makes it easier to send power to the passenger side (but who cares, open diffs just suck). I've been looking at limited slip diffs for mine.

 

I figured that was the most reasonable answer but man do i wish mine was a 4x4 ! im hoping to get a new truck something like a 05 150 4x4 or fx4 and just use the 250 for trailers if necessary especially since it gets stuck to easily haha

 

Yeah, I miss my 4x4, but I get bad enough mileage with this one. It's easy to swap 4x4 into these though. Just find a donor truck and I've been told that it's almost a direct bolt on. But with an LSD you'll be able to get to where you need. I never had a problem with the LSD on my Expedition. A wise man once told me "4x4 only allows you to get stuck farther in." Haha. To make up for not having 4x4 I just carry a set of tire chains.

 

Ive always heard its a PITA to make it a 4x4 while it sounds easy the actual doing is the hard part ,especially putting in the lever to engage the 4x4

 

IIRC, the transmissions for a 4x4 and 2wd have a different output shaft spline count. So you can't just bolt on a normal ford TC and shorten the (rear) driveshaft, you have to swap the TC input to an aftermarket or swap the tranny too. It would also entail putting a a drive axle up front (easy), and finding/making a driveshaft fit.
But a LSD or Locker (like a Detroit, not ARB) make a world of difference and are mostly transparent. IMO, a complete 4x4 swap is not worth it, but you could buy a whole truck for the price of a jy tranny around here.
-Mike

 

I would do a locker before a complete 4x4 swap...even though it is simple.
I thought all you need is a transfer case and shorten the rear driveshaft and get the front axle and driveshaft.

 

You cant bolt a transfer case to a 2wd trans. depending on what trans you have it may be possible to swap the rear housing with a 4x4 case, but that may require complete disassembly of the trans. I wouldnt call converting a truck to 4x4 simple, it's pretty involved.

 

I think its more of a time consuming thing.. other wise its mostly bolt on bolt off from what I've read.

 

Yes, but you have to bolt on and replace many parts. Unless you are planning a tranny rebuild/replacement already, not worth it. 2wd is 23 (?) spline and 4wd is 31 (?) (can't remember off the top of my head). And (depending on tranny; technically) it isn't practical to swap a shaft. They do just bolt together, buy you also need to buy all the parts, and your truck would be down while doing it.
Everything is a bit of solder, just cut the weld, or bolt on bolt off, except for the things riveted together, of course.
-Mike

 

That's true if its perfectly fine don't take it out

 

Thanks for clearing up my oversight gentlemen!