Want to lower my 77 f150 xlt ranger but can't with it a 4wd past stock apparently. So want to make it 2wd. Been looking it up and found I need a 2wd trans, diff take out all of 4wd, hubs, spindles, and shocks. Is that all I need? I'd get the trans, sell mine, sell transfer case, and driveshaft. Buy new trans and spindles and hubs and buy a lowering kit to drop it 4" lower than stock. I know it'd be easier to get a 2wd truck but I can't find a 2wd step side that isn't completely rusted to pieces within reasonable driving distance of me.

 

What about finding a really rusted out 2wd with a decent frame and swapping your body onto it? I know that sounds like a lot of work, but think of the massive undertaking you are talking about going from 4x4 to 2x4. This way you could blast/paint the frame and take some time to make it look decent.

 

The frame width is different between 2wd and 4wd - you'd be better off just buying a 2wd truck, unless you want to do lots of fabrication to get the front suspension to work.

 

A bit odd , wanting to lower a 4wd truck ... I also vote for finding a donor frame/truck . Then build up ... or down. Sell off parts to fund your project . Best of luck !

 

Huh. I have never heard of that. I know high boy frames are not as wide, but never heard the 2wd to 4x4 width difference. Did they use different cabs on 2wd trucks vs. 4x4?

 

frames are the same only ones that arent same are highboys

 

Ah, my mistake. Thanks for the correction!

 

Frames are the same relative to body and bed mounting points.
But the frames are quite different from mid cab forward relative to crossmembers and front suspension.
OP, you mentioned swapping hubs,,,,, like do you want to keep the same axle housing?
I've seen drag trucks and jeeps set up like that, but using the same housing will prevent you from lowering the truck as the differential housing is already quite close to the oil pan.
To ditch the axle housing you will have to completely fabricate front suspension. A twin I beam set up would be quite difficult to get correct. Maybe use an older straight axle with leaf springs. Rot rod style.
But to make it easy, find a 2wd short box frame (step side I think you said). Short box and step side bolts the same I think.
Way easier to swap bodies like others said on to a 2wd frame.

 

A 4WD to 2WD conversion or swap is a total waste of time and effort.

Sell the 4WD and buy a 2WD and you'll have extra cash.

 

x2 and save a good 4x4 in the process.

 

Like I said, the only reason I wanted to do it was cause I already rebuilt this one and wanted to make it into a hot rod daily driver kinda thing for summer time. Not going to mess with swapping everything to a diff frame. I love the truck and all but that's not worth it to me. Plus I haven't found one roller in decent shape within 5 hours of me. Maybe I'll just trade it for a little mustang or something. I'm sure someone would be interested since its all rebuilt already I guess.

 

Amen brother

 

where you located at? Post in your state chapter, someone might want to do a trade with you or help you locate a 2wd.

 

Ya it seems like lots of people on here are trying to convert 2wd to 4wd so you should be able to find someone to trade.

 

Yea. No reason to ruin a perfectly good truck. Jus roll with a different one. People are killing to have a 4wd. You'll find a 2wd somewhere, and motor swaps are easy.