4x4 conversion
Thread Starter
|
Posting Guru
Joined: Mar 2013
Posts: 1,726
Likes: 3
4x4 conversion
I'm still trying to decide how I want to do this. I've gone back and forth from solid to ttb. Looking for opinions on what everyone else thinks here. It's a dd truck that stays on the streets most of the time but there are some pretty rough areas I go through when I'm off the road and some extra suspension travel would be awesome.
Logistics Pro
Joined: Mar 2012
Posts: 3,507
Likes: 121
From: Oregon
It's not going to be cheap either way, but a TTB will be cheaper and easier. With a TTB it is literally just replacing 2WD parts for 4WD parts. A solid axle will require either custom fab or aftermarket brackets. On top of that, I'm not sure if you can get away with a solid axle swap without a lift to the truck. I have tossed around the idea of a solid axle myself, but I have come to realize that unless I go crawling to somewhere where a ton of flex is needed, a solid axle serves me no purpose.
The best way to go about this would be to find a cheap 4WD donor of the same cab and bed configuration as well as transmission and swap all the parts to your truck. That way you get everything you need and you can even rebuild the donor to a 2WD and sell it again. My truck doesn't see off-road much, but in heavy snow, decent mud and bumpy, rutted dirt roads I have had no issues getting stuck. I find the TTB to be adequate in most situations as I don't wheel it hard, but rather to get to a campsite or to a dirtbike trail. Probably why my auto locking hubs aren't grenaded....
I guess the real questions you need to answer are what kind of off-roading do you do? Budget?
The best way to go about this would be to find a cheap 4WD donor of the same cab and bed configuration as well as transmission and swap all the parts to your truck. That way you get everything you need and you can even rebuild the donor to a 2WD and sell it again. My truck doesn't see off-road much, but in heavy snow, decent mud and bumpy, rutted dirt roads I have had no issues getting stuck. I find the TTB to be adequate in most situations as I don't wheel it hard, but rather to get to a campsite or to a dirtbike trail. Probably why my auto locking hubs aren't grenaded....
I guess the real questions you need to answer are what kind of off-roading do you do? Budget?
Logistics Pro
Joined: Mar 2012
Posts: 3,507
Likes: 121
From: Oregon
Keep in mind you will also need a 4WD trans and transfer case.
As for drop brackets for the radius arms, I can't comment. I have extended radius arms that use the factory brackets, just moved back on the frame. The arms fix any major alignment issues and the dealer fine tunes it.
As for drop brackets for the radius arms, I can't comment. I have extended radius arms that use the factory brackets, just moved back on the frame. The arms fix any major alignment issues and the dealer fine tunes it.
Trending Topics
Thread Starter
|
Posting Guru
Joined: Mar 2013
Posts: 1,726
Likes: 3
That's a good idea. I know I need the trans too. Sucks because manual 4x4 stuff is hard to come by.
FTE Stories
Ford Trucks for Ford Truck Enthusiasts
10 Best Ford Truck Engines We Miss the Most!
Joe Kucinski
2026 Shelby F-150 Off-Road: Better Than a Raptor R?
Brett Foote
2027 Super Duty Carhartt Package First Look: 12 Things You NEED to Know!
Michael S. Palmer
10 Most Surprising 2026 Ford Truck Features!
Joe Kucinski
Top 10 Ford Trucks Coming to Mecum Indy 2026
Brett Foote
5 Best / 5 Worst Ford Truck Wheels of All Time
Joe Kucinski
Ford Super Duty: 5 Things Owners LOVE, 5 Things They LOATHE!
Joe Kucinski
Every 2026 Ford Truck Engine RANKED from WORST to FIRST!
Michael S. Palmer
The Best F-150 Deal of Every Trim Level (XL through Raptor)
Joe Kucinski
Logistics Pro
Joined: Mar 2012
Posts: 3,507
Likes: 121
From: Oregon
That is another way you could go. Either way, a donor is a must.
Fleet Mechanic
Joined: Aug 2005
Posts: 1,277
Likes: 89
From: MD
My vote would be for a solid. More work and money, but I'd say worth it. I have a disk brake Dana 44 out of a 77 F150 I've been saving to swap into a Bronco. On the other hand like said above...
the TTB would be cheaper and easier for sure. I've owned a lifted TTB and put it through a lot of hell and it took it all in stride.
the TTB would be cheaper and easier for sure. I've owned a lifted TTB and put it through a lot of hell and it took it all in stride.
Senior User
Joined: Sep 2008
Posts: 287
Likes: 1
From: SE WI
My dad did it on his '82 F150. It is a lot of work. He went from 2wd stick to 4wd automatic, new steering column, and so forth. Should have just bought the truck it came out of. I think he ended up buying the box as well.
I think you'd be better off just getting a truck that already has 4wd.
I think you'd be better off just getting a truck that already has 4wd.
Thread Starter
|
Posting Guru
Joined: Mar 2013
Posts: 1,726
Likes: 3
My dad did it on his '82 F150. It is a lot of work. He went from 2wd stick to 4wd automatic, new steering column, and so forth. Should have just bought the truck it came out of. I think he ended up buying the box as well.
I think you'd be better off just getting a truck that already has 4wd.
I think you'd be better off just getting a truck that already has 4wd.
Posting Guru
Joined: Jan 2004
Posts: 2,403
Likes: 4
From: Charlestown, RI
Keep in mind, suspension travel of a 4wd TTB vs a 2wd isn't a whole lot different. If your only issue is suspension travel, and not traction, you could go for a quality 2wd lift with longer radius arms like Evan has.
Thread Starter
|
Posting Guru
Joined: Mar 2013
Posts: 1,726
Likes: 3
I've been thinking about it but I'm also concerned with how long bearings and ball joints and stuff will last with 35-37" tires.