Or could i swap a C6 in there, would that work?

 

Could I swap a 4x4 C6 in it, would that work?

 

The 4x4 transmission housing is a little shorter so the transfer case can bolt up to it

 

Actually, telling you to sell it and buy a 4WD might be the best way to help you out. There are a lot of 4WD trucks out there. It's usually easier and cheaper to sell a 2WD and buy a 4WD rather than swapping. That said, if you're that set on converting your current truck, it can be done. Just plan on it being a much bigger project than you expect. Someone who really knows what they are doing and has everything lined up (like, has a complete parts truck sitting there) can probably do it in a weekend. You should plan on having your truck out of commission for a few months (and maybe you'll be lucky and it won't take that long).

You can "just" put a 4WD tailshaft and tailshaft housing on a 2WD trans to make it a 4WD trans. But "just" doing that means completely disassembling the trans (the tailshaft is the last part to come out) and then completely reassembling it (properly). It's usually cheaper and easier to sell the 2WD trans and buy a 4WD one.

You really should figure out what trans you have in it now. There are threads here that show the shape of the pan on the various autos to help figure it out.

The main issue is if it's an electronically controlled trans or not. If it is it will be easiest to get the same trans as you have, but a 4WD version. That way all of the controls will be happy. If you currently have a non-electronic trans then staying with a non-electronic one is easiest, and it doesn't matter an awful lot which one you use (other than some linkage issues, which can be a pain but aren't show-stoppers).

The other issue is if you have an overdrive or not. If you do, going to a non-overdrive trans might make your engine spin awfully fast, which will make the truck louder and get worse mileage.

The C6 is a non-electronic, non-overdrive trans. Yes you can use one (a 4WD version), but if you currently have an electronic one you might have to deal with a check engine light, and possibly an engine that doesn't run well until you get the computer happy with the lack of a trans to talk to.

 

I would prefer to keep it as its a clean truck and I really like it plus I worked really hard for it. And it being out of commission is okay because i cant drive yet. Ill have to see what trans i have.

 

If you want to keep yours then get a donor truck so you can put them side by side and swap everything over.

 

I'll chime in here. Unless you have mad skills or you have relatives that are well versed, I would urge you to sell your truck and find a 4wd truck you like.

The only way you will pull this off cleanly is to have a same year 4wd donor truck with the same transmission as yours. With the two trucks side by side, you might have the swap done in a month, provided you have some skill and knowledge. As much as it will be a bolt-in proposition (more or less), someone with little or no skills would have a hard go of it.

I have taught at a vocational school so I have observed the aftermath of the 'big project, no skills'. More than a few vehicles left on a flatbed, on their way to pick and pull.

 

From what I've read over the past week or 2 the entire front axle is the same from 80-97 is very simple but I would still try to get a year close to mine. If did sell this truck I wouldn't be able to buy another one.

 

The front axles will swap over pretty easily across the entire '80 - '96 range (you will need ALL of the front suspension parts from the 4WD donor, I'm not sure about the steering linkage).

The trans is where the actual year gets pickier (if it's an electronically controlled trans). There were a couple different electronic autos, and the computer for one won't run the other. And there were some minor changes at times that would require changing sensors or changing the wiring harness that can present some challenges if you don't have exactly the same thing.

 

If you don't have the experience required to fully dismantle/rebuild the front end of your truck I'm going to kindly suggest not even bothering to do it. Even experienced mechanics who have been in the industry for longer than you have been alive will say that it's not worth the trouble of doing it.

Why do you want 4x4 any ways? Unless you intend to put it on the trail you do NOT need 4x4. You could actually install a locking differential on the rear end that can get you off road just as well as a 4x4 can. That would be much simpler, less expensive, and that MIGHT be something you can try. But you don't sound capable of doing it. Sorry if that offends you, but that's the way I see it. I've looked into the process of converting my own truck and it just isn't worth it. Too many things can go wrong.

 

Well, my family is obviously going to help me. The only "trouble" from the many, many threads i have read say that the only problem is the transmission. All the other stuff swap right over without a hitch (except for the leaf springs being wider on the 4x4). Plus where i live you kinda need the 4x4. Im more than capable of doing this. Its called learning ya'know. Ill make a build thread and uh show you that i can do it.

 

Keeping in mind that the first thing I said in this thread was that telling you not to do this might be the most help we could give you...

I started my first serious car project when I was about 16. I did a frame-up restoration of a 1929 Model A (which is probably where my Ford addiction started). It took me 10 years to finish it, but I did, and I'm really glad that I did it.

I still think the best way to get a 4WD truck is almost always to buy it. But some times you just gotta do something. I'm betting this project will be harder, take more time and cost more money that you expect. And when your done you'll have a truck that's not worth nearly as much as you have in it. I'm betting that because that's how every one of my projects turned out. And I'm not sorry I did any of them (although I do wish I had started with a Bronco instead of getting a Jeep first). So go for it. Just know that all of the advice telling you not to is good advice too.

 

I wouldnt sell it, so the value thing is a non issue. Its my first truck and intend to keep it until im old and frail unless something bad happens.

 

Make sure when you do this start a build thread so we can follow along. All of us love projects like this

 

will do.