1988 F-150 2WD to 4X4 Conversion
 

I have a 1988 F-150 with a 4.9L inline 6 and 3 speed manual. It is 2-wheel drive and I have been considering doing the conversion to make it 4-wheel drive. The inline 6 has been a very reliable engine for me, but I'm not sure if I should keep it if I do the conversion. If not, I will likely swap it for a 5.0 V8. Has anyone done a conversion on this type of truck? If not, what are your opinions on this?

Unless the truck has a perfectly clean body and frame, or some significant sentimental value to it, your better off buying a 4WD truck. To do the conversion properly you will need an entire donor truck that has the same cab and bed configuration as your current one. You need the front axle and related parts, the driveshafts, transmission, transfercase and a couple other small bits and pieces.

^^^This^^^

It's not like 4wd bricknose 4WD trucks are that hard to get your hands on. Were not talking about a 61 slick here or anything.

Evan said it all.