I have an 05 F350 6.0 auto 2WD and I want to convert it to 4WD. will the transfer case bolt up to my 2WD transmission? any other "headaches" I will have?

 

This has been asked before, and the general consensus has always been that its more trouble than it's worth. Most will tell you its easier to trade for a 4x4.

 

Or buy a wrecked/rolled 4x4, so you get all the pieces. But, I wouldn't bother, unless you want to buy into some real headaches

 

I have tossed this idea around in the back of my mind for quite some time. The best thing to do would be to find a doner truck. Forget all of the ESOF stuff, and go with all of the manual stuff. The hole in your floor board is already there and everything. That is how I would do it.

 

The reason why I need to make this conversion is I just moved to Montana and need 4WD. I tried to sell this truck which I bought new for $35,000 and I was told by a couple car dealers that the most I could get for it was $10 K WTF! It only has 68,000 miles and is in perfect shape! the reason was that it has the 6.0L diesel (known for having problems) and no one wants a 2WD in this part of the country. the local Ford dealer would only give me maybe $16,000 for it on a trade so I'm stuck with this truck. It's no problem getting the parts I just wasn't sure if the transfer case would bolt up to my 2WD auto tail housing. Yeah I know its gonna be a lot of work but I'm retired and have more time than $ and since the 6.0L diesel is a turd I'm stuck with this Super Duky

 

I'm not sure if the 05 2WD tranny is the same as the 01 2WD tranny, but for the 01 a transfer case will not mount to a 2WD tranny. You need to have a tranny and transfer case that are married. That's what I was told. So you will need a new tranny with the transfer case. Good luck.

 

At the very least, you will need to make some changes to the transmission extension housing. Right now, it has a drive shaft yolk on it. That will have to change to whatever will accept the transfer case. I also believe that the crossmember that holds up the rear of the transmission will have to leave and be replaced with one that holds up the transfer case instead. That is even IF the output shaft isn't different.

After you've figured all that out, you'll need a transfer case, preferably an NV271 manual shift. Shift linkages, switches for 4WD and Low indicators, a different rear drive shaft, possibly going from a 3 or 2 piece to a 2 or 1 piece, depending on your truck. A front drive shaft, a complete front axle with u-bolts, etc. I'm not sure how the front suspension works on an '05, but you may need an entire front suspension, changes to the attachment points on the frame and entirely new steering system.

Hopefully you have a LOT of time and more than a few $$$.

 

I might try this. Have an 06 king ranch 2wd and a front end and Trans from an 06 4wd and an 01 manual transfer case. Only thing I should need is a driveshaft. I'll keep updating with progress.

 

cool yurg , do you have the springs from the 4wd? i think they might be different that your 2wd springs that you have now. good luck and keep us posted.

 

No, they are not the same transmission. Your advice is dead wrong.

A transfer case WILL bolt to your transmission. You'll need the adapter that goes between the trans and transfer case, but that's an inexpensive part.

 

I have the whole chassis from the middle of the frame forward. I'll get some pics later today.