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4wheel drive to 2 wheel drive conversion

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Old 09-01-2013, 09:39 PM
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4wheel drive to 2 wheel drive conversion

Ok first off my truck is a 1997 ford f-150 4.6 I wanna convert it from a4 wheel drive to a 2 wheel drive what all will I need and what all can I just reuse like for the transmission what do I need and also I am wanting to put air ride on this truck
 
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Old 09-01-2013, 10:09 PM
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Sell it and get a 2 wheel peel. The suspension setups in the front are compleletly different critters. Why do you want to do this anyway?
 
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Old 09-01-2013, 10:20 PM
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In order to bag it and I don't really wanna sale it and as for the suspension it doesn't bothe me that they are a lot diff becuz ill be gutting most of the suspension to put in the air ride system
 
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Old 09-02-2013, 12:59 AM
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All the front suspension to 2wd drive train. Check out the lower and upper control arms that may be different for air suspension.
The rear axle must have a track bar and toque twist control as the bags cannot supply any of that kind of control.
You must have pads to mount the bags to so they stay in place.
Leave the 4wd trans in place or change it out.
Check out the brake situation and speed sensor compatibility with the source parts to be sure you don't get into an issue with the PCM..
Air suspension;
Look at stock Ford air suspension compressor and Trim sensors.
Learn how that system works so you can wire and trouble shoot it or go with aftermarket system parts.
Firestone has air springs you may need to look into.
System overview:
Compressor will take huge current when running. Wire accordingly.
Controller senses Trim height and turns it on and off through a power relay at the limits set by the sensors.
One parameter you may need to look into is when you apply the brakes the rear rises some amount. The sensor detects this and could try to deflate the rear bags for a short time then re inflate them as a natural reaction.
The way around this in many factory systems is to use an BOO switch signal to 'inhibit' the controller for that time interval.
Bags have electric solenoids that are powered open to pump air in and let it out through the same lines..
The compressor 'should' have an air dryer so all air passes through both in and out for lowering to keep moisture to a min.
If not in cold temps the moisture can freeze in the lines and prevent bag from working and load the bags with water to some degree..
You have a lot of work and issues to learn about and solve not to mention the expense.
Bottom line advice is to study air suspension very well and understand before you begin as there are no short cuts to back yard engineering these systems to have them work as intended and be reliable.
Bag life is on average about 10 years +/-.
I am very experienced with 4 wheel air suspension owning such a car with such a system.
Good luck.
 
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