I have a 96 f-250 powerstroke 2wd, Would be interested in converting to 4wd. Any suggestions? Thanks Gary

 

buy a new truck, second plan buy a wrecked truck and convert. You will either need to replace or completely disassemble your trans to change the outpur shaft and tail housing of your trans, then you need t-case, driveshaft, axle (dana 60 best) steering linkage, springs and hangers, track bar and bracket, shifter (hole in floor)and maybe a few others i have forgotten.

Really to be honest with you buying a 4wd truck will be much better. i know would have a hard time getting rid of my truck too but even though i am a mechanic with a shop full of tools and equipment and knowledge i would find a different truck.

 

This is the same truck, did the conv. myself. tj hit on what it takes to it.Gary,it wasn't a big deal to,I'd do it again.

Brian

 

Sorry for the big size,hopefully one of the Mods will cut 'em down some.Still learning the picture thing.

Brian

 

I really like my truck, I bought it new in 96, its got 297,000 miles on it. I just dont think I could give it up, but I need the 4X4. I have property in WA state and we get a lot of snow. Any more help would really be helpful. Thats a nice truck, by the way. Thanks Gary

 

I like the low rider look

 

I got bad news for you a dually 4x4 is almost useless in the snow it won't do much better than the stock 2wd as the truck is now.

You will never gain anything converting the truck the cost isn't worth it. For winter use find yourself a 4x4 something like a old half ton and leave the dually for summer use. You put some weight in the dually you can get through the snow and run a good aggressive tire.

 

I have a 95 dually and I am trying to decide on converting it to 4wd or getting another 95-97 F-350 4X4 and converting it to a dually. I pull a 39 foot 5th wheel toyhauler and I want to get it on the sand. I like the replies, keep them coming.

 

healinhand's truck isn't a dually. its an f-250.

 

Are you kidding me??? My F250 4x4 was converted into a dually, I never owned the truck with RSW but with my long wheel base that hurt me even more. I can not count the times that the 4x4 got me out of the snow, 2ndly, it is all in the tires just like a regular 4x4, most of the time I've seen a pretty lame all season on a duallys. 500lbs of weight in the box makes a world of difference. And if you really are the type of person that has to pound 5 feet of snow, have a set of winter rims and tires like Briansshop has. The $x4 has gotten me out of alot of trouble many times. Even with ice driving on the highway

My 4x4 dually managed to yank out a chevy truck out of the mud, I was on solid ground of corse, he had 33 inch tires sucked down in the mud with a broken axle. Using a block and tackle, another truck as my anchor I pulled that truck out up an steep incline. 800lbs of sandbags in the box for aid and the only traction I had issues with was my front end was bighting hard and hopping in low range. Got the chevy truck out, next day I was pulling the tranny out though.

 

i'm not sure that makes any sense!

you dont have to have a 4x4 ZF to do this swap. find a divorced NP205 (outta be easy to find and run ya $100 max depending on your market area) and then find a D60. the 205 will hook to the back of your 2x4 tranny via a very short driveshaft. this will also help with driveline angles as you can set the t-case exactly where you want it.

the D60 will swap right in, however it'll be the most $$$ of the project. go ahead and figure $1000 is about average. 1200 is a lil much (unless it's a 78/79, which you dont want), and 800 is a good deal but beware and be sure to check it out make sure nothing is seriously wrong with it

i have 3 D60's sitting in my garage but gettin one to you but cost more than the axle if you found it in your area!

-cutts-

 

wHAT KINDA RIMS ARE THOSE?

 

David, those are Alcoas, I don't think they make 'em anymore.

Dually 4x4 no good in the snow? How could having a front axle w/ 4-4500lbs. riding on it not help out in the snow?

Brian

 

I'll live with my stainless covers I suppose

 

A dually in the snow floats on top the back wheels just spin on top. The snow on in the Pacific Northwest is wet it turns to ice soon as you spin your wheels on it. We have problems with people that are from east of the Rockies coming here in the winter time and figure we can drive in snow no problem. The biggest problem is the snow where they are from is drier its sticky so your tires bite into it. Here its wet and heavy you make a snow ball and throw it at somebody its like throwing a rock at somebody its hard.

In my area the highways dept can't even scrape the compact snow off the road with a 14G Cat Grader with a regular moldboard. The only thing that makes a dually bite through the snow is V bar snow chains and weight in the box.

Doing the conversion isn't too bad if your mechanically inclined.