making 4wd 2wd
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Junior User
Joined: Jul 2013
Posts: 68
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making 4wd 2wd
Want to lower my 77 f150 xlt ranger but can't with it a 4wd past stock apparently. So want to make it 2wd. Been looking it up and found I need a 2wd trans, diff take out all of 4wd, hubs, spindles, and shocks. Is that all I need? I'd get the trans, sell mine, sell transfer case, and driveshaft. Buy new trans and spindles and hubs and buy a lowering kit to drop it 4" lower than stock. I know it'd be easier to get a 2wd truck but I can't find a 2wd step side that isn't completely rusted to pieces within reasonable driving distance of me.
Elder User
Joined: Apr 2006
Posts: 506
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From: mid-MO
What about finding a really rusted out 2wd with a decent frame and swapping your body onto it? I know that sounds like a lot of work, but think of the massive undertaking you are talking about going from 4x4 to 2x4. This way you could blast/paint the frame and take some time to make it look decent.
Elder User
Joined: Apr 2006
Posts: 506
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From: mid-MO
Huh. I have never heard of that. I know high boy frames are not as wide, but never heard the 2wd to 4x4 width difference. Did they use different cabs on 2wd trucks vs. 4x4?
Posting Guru
Joined: Aug 2010
Posts: 1,761
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From: Knoxville, TN
Ah, my mistake. Thanks for the correction!
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Joined: Dec 2002
Posts: 666
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From: Boyne Mich
Frames are the same relative to body and bed mounting points.
But the frames are quite different from mid cab forward relative to crossmembers and front suspension.
OP, you mentioned swapping hubs,,,,, like do you want to keep the same axle housing?
I've seen drag trucks and jeeps set up like that, but using the same housing will prevent you from lowering the truck as the differential housing is already quite close to the oil pan.
To ditch the axle housing you will have to completely fabricate front suspension. A twin I beam set up would be quite difficult to get correct. Maybe use an older straight axle with leaf springs. Rot rod style.
But to make it easy, find a 2wd short box frame (step side I think you said). Short box and step side bolts the same I think.
Way easier to swap bodies like others said on to a 2wd frame.
But the frames are quite different from mid cab forward relative to crossmembers and front suspension.
OP, you mentioned swapping hubs,,,,, like do you want to keep the same axle housing?
I've seen drag trucks and jeeps set up like that, but using the same housing will prevent you from lowering the truck as the differential housing is already quite close to the oil pan.
To ditch the axle housing you will have to completely fabricate front suspension. A twin I beam set up would be quite difficult to get correct. Maybe use an older straight axle with leaf springs. Rot rod style.
But to make it easy, find a 2wd short box frame (step side I think you said). Short box and step side bolts the same I think.
Way easier to swap bodies like others said on to a 2wd frame.
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Fleet Mechanic
Joined: Jul 2013
Posts: 1,997
Likes: 237
From: NE Ohio
x2 and save a good 4x4 in the process.
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Junior User
Joined: Jul 2013
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Like I said, the only reason I wanted to do it was cause I already rebuilt this one and wanted to make it into a hot rod daily driver kinda thing for summer time. Not going to mess with swapping everything to a diff frame. I love the truck and all but that's not worth it to me. Plus I haven't found one roller in decent shape within 5 hours of me. Maybe I'll just trade it for a little mustang or something. I'm sure someone would be interested since its all rebuilt already I guess.
Fleet Mechanic
Joined: Jul 2013
Posts: 1,997
Likes: 237
From: NE Ohio
Like I said, the only reason I wanted to do it was cause I already rebuilt this one and wanted to make it into a hot rod daily driver kinda thing for summer time. Not going to mess with swapping everything to a diff frame. I love the truck and all but that's not worth it to me. Plus I haven't found one roller in decent shape within 5 hours of me. Maybe I'll just trade it for a little mustang or something. I'm sure someone would be interested since its all rebuilt already I guess.
Senior User
Joined: Jan 2015
Posts: 348
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From: Vidalia onion,GA
Yea. No reason to ruin a perfectly good truck. Jus roll with a different one. People are killing to have a 4wd. You'll find a 2wd somewhere, and motor swaps are easy.