A good friend of mine has a 03 Ford F150 with only 31k miles and I could not answer his question.
He wants to convert this truck from a 2 wheel drive to a 4x4.
We do have access to the parts we need.
The extreme would be changing the frame.
I made my 94 F150 to a 4x4 with no problems.
What i need to know is the frame on his 2003 F150 2 wheel drive have the same frame as a F150 4X4 from 97-03 ?.

I always see posts like this and someone always says sell it and buy a 4x4.
This is not a option

 

Then do it, document it well with text and photos, then post it up here for the forum members.
Good Luck.

 

There is a reason people always say that. It would be a complete waste of time. You could buy an old f-150 and put half the money/time into it and have two sweet trucks. Seriously, it's not even worth discussing.

 

x2, an '03 is still worth enough money, especially with low miles, to get a good amount of money out of it. Once you "convert" it, NO ONE in their right mind would buy it for anything other than a scrap price.

 

I vaguely remember that the new generation truck ('97) had a difference in the frame up front for 4WD vs. 2WD.

 

The most important difference between 94 and the 97 and later years is the control system is much more complex.
From 97 on, there is electronics involved that is specific to the build.
For example a shift on the fly is total electronic control using a GEM module.
With 4w low, there would be brake wiring to make sure the 4L cannot be engaged at any time except at a stop, in neutral.
Also the computer (PCM) shift sked, in the program, is changed, in 4L..
If you feel you can handle all this with no 'sweat' then go at it.
Be advised to learn how the system works before diving in, for you own advancement.
In the end, you will be no further ahead except for the experience.
Good luck.

 

you need to see if the 4wd frame and 2wd frame are the same. im sure the upper and lower control arm mounts are the same, but you need to see if the 2wd frame has the mounts for the IFS differential housing. if they do, the swap should be almost cake.

 

For all the trouble, why not just put a locker in the rear for additional traction? I've read many times that a 2wd truck with a locked rear will be far more capable than standard 4x4 with open differentials. After all, isn't it additional traction people are seeking when buying 4x4?

I realize that you mentioned a second truck is out of the question but I still think it would be cheaper to find a similar truck with 4wd and use it. If you are still determined look into solid axle swaps. There's a member on here who converted his truck and it literally looks like a monster truck.

 

you dont need it lifted that high for SAS. heres one with only 8.5 inches of lift...

 

If your going to go through the hassle of making it 4x4 dont waste your time doing a "factory" front (which sounds like is your plans).
Get a solid axle, run a divorced transfer case and be done. That way you can keep your factory tranny.
And no, a locked 2wd is no where near capable of a stock 4x4. Thats just a stupid myth.
I think that member your talking about is me by the way.

 

Yes you are!

 

Hey guys I know this post is dead but I have done hours of research on this topic and own 5 of these 97-03 trucks and am in the middle of changing my best one over to 4x4 right now. The two frames are very different, the 2wd frame is wider in the front and had a solid front crossmember which the 4wd does not have. Also the 2wd lower control arms mount parallel to the frame rails where the 4wd lower control arms mount slightly offset at an angle and have provisions for the torsion bars. Bottom line, the frames are totally different. The only way to add factory 4x4 is to swap frames, which I am doing

 

Thanks for the update. I have a 4bt f150 i was thinking of swapping to 4x4. I will just look for a frame.