? about Lifting...2 or 4wd
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From: Utah
? about Lifting...2 or 4wd
Ok, well I got to thinking.....
I'm gonna need some new tires in about 12-15,000 miles and I figured while I'm at it, I might as well buy bigger tires and put a lift on my truck. The thing is, it's 2wd. So I was thinking about converting it, I know it can be done, I wish MustangGt221 would have been able to do his so I knew how it went.
I do like the looks of lifted trucks, it would basically be the only reason for being lifted, however I would like the use of the 4wd....I go to the sand dunes alot in the summer, and it would be nice to be able to camp in the sand instead of being stuck on the pavement.
So my question is should I lift it as a 2wd, or should I go find a donor truck and convert it to 4wd and then lift it?? Thanx for any help and/or suggestions.
I'm gonna need some new tires in about 12-15,000 miles and I figured while I'm at it, I might as well buy bigger tires and put a lift on my truck. The thing is, it's 2wd. So I was thinking about converting it, I know it can be done, I wish MustangGt221 would have been able to do his so I knew how it went.
I do like the looks of lifted trucks, it would basically be the only reason for being lifted, however I would like the use of the 4wd....I go to the sand dunes alot in the summer, and it would be nice to be able to camp in the sand instead of being stuck on the pavement.
So my question is should I lift it as a 2wd, or should I go find a donor truck and convert it to 4wd and then lift it?? Thanx for any help and/or suggestions.
Post Fiend
Joined: Nov 2001
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From: Topsfield, MA
? about Lifting...2 or 4wd
Convert it to 4wd (which will lift the truck 2") than if you want more lift, go from there. There is a tech article on the website that has basic information about the conversion. There are a lot of posts on this, I know how to do it but I've told like 50 people already so try searching I'm sure you'll find some of my threads.
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? about Lifting...2 or 4wd
Have you tried taking it out on the sand yet? Mine's a 4x2 and I get around a lot better and faster then most of the 4x4's out here. I see more 4x4's getting stuck because of the extra weight and wheels digging them in up front.
If you plan on doing mudding though then the 4x4 swap would probably be worth it.
If you plan on doing mudding though then the 4x4 swap would probably be worth it.
Post Fiend
Joined: Nov 2001
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From: Topsfield, MA
? about Lifting...2 or 4wd
Depends on if you have an open differential or a limited slip. You will not get anywhere with an open differential in the rear axle. You'll pretty much get stuck on wet grass lol (exaggeration but, not by too much).
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From: Utah
? about Lifting...2 or 4wd
Originally posted by SPROCKET
Have you tried taking it out on the sand yet? Mine's a 4x2 and I get around a lot better and faster then most of the 4x4's out here. I see more 4x4's getting stuck because of the extra weight and wheels digging them in up front.
If you plan on doing mudding though then the 4x4 swap would probably be worth it.
Have you tried taking it out on the sand yet? Mine's a 4x2 and I get around a lot better and faster then most of the 4x4's out here. I see more 4x4's getting stuck because of the extra weight and wheels digging them in up front.
If you plan on doing mudding though then the 4x4 swap would probably be worth it.
(Moderator's :that may be considered unappropriate material, please feel free to remove if you wish to do so! 
)I really do want it to be 4wheel drive, I'm kind of getting tired of driving the same vehicle, and have been wanting to trade in for something different, but I love my truck, and I think this would also help in that aspect. I just hope if I do get into doing this, I won't be over my head.
Keep the suggestions coming!
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Post Fiend
Joined: Nov 2001
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From: Topsfield, MA
? about Lifting...2 or 4wd
Well, selling a converted 4wd in the future will be more difficult. The only way the average person could tell would be the VIN, other then that it's pretty much identical. You can even get the 4wd light to come on when you shift. The shifter hole in the floor is already present, Ford just siliconed in a metal plate to cover the hole on a 2wd. If you know that you want to keep the truck you have, than just go search some junk yards. You need a TTB from hub to hub with radius arms. You need a Borg Warner 13-56 manually shifted transfer case. And you need to change the tailshaft on your transmission. Move the crossmember back and bolt it under the transfer case. Install a new shorter driveshaft and bolt in the TTB. Those are the major outlines, but that's pretty much the basics. It's not that much harder than installing a lift kit.
Last edited by MustangGT221; Sep 16, 2003 at 04:05 PM.
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Tuned
Joined: Nov 2002
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? about Lifting...2 or 4wd
I would do the lift durring the conversion. I installed a Rancho lift on my 87 and took the entire front end and rear end out of the truck. If you had your donor parts all ready you could get the lift installed, install the new front end and get the rear springs fixed up and install them also. The next weekend you could do the transfercase install. The hardest part of my lift was getting the rivets out of the parts on the frame. I ended up torching them after spending a bunch of time trying to drill them out. Once you get all those out it is easy. They make different types of lifts now, I liked the Rancho best at the time because of the longer radius arms, they were also offset a little more than the stock stamped pieces and allowed for bigger tires. The ride was much better with the Rancho suspension geometry. The kit included everything I needed, all parts were very nice and still are today 10 years later! The bolts have never come loose like I read about other kits, I have never had any problems or regrets.
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From: Utah
? about Lifting...2 or 4wd
Ok....so I'm starting to figure this out a little more. I found the tech article on converting from 4x2 4x4. Seems pretty basic, just need the time.
How much do you think I could find a donor truck for? And also, I know I have the 3.08 gearing, so I read that I need to have the same ratio in the front as well?? Is this gearing going to be good for a truck with lift and bigger tires? Is it even possible to find that ratio for the front? I'm guessing that I'm going to just have to change out the rear to match whatever front I get.
Also, what exactly does TTB stand for? I assume it means the independent suspension, and not just the straight axle. (or am I just totally wrong?) Ok, there's some more question's for you guys. have at it!
How much do you think I could find a donor truck for? And also, I know I have the 3.08 gearing, so I read that I need to have the same ratio in the front as well?? Is this gearing going to be good for a truck with lift and bigger tires? Is it even possible to find that ratio for the front? I'm guessing that I'm going to just have to change out the rear to match whatever front I get.
Also, what exactly does TTB stand for? I assume it means the independent suspension, and not just the straight axle. (or am I just totally wrong?) Ok, there's some more question's for you guys. have at it!
Post Fiend
Joined: Nov 2001
Posts: 14,947
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From: Topsfield, MA
? about Lifting...2 or 4wd
TTB is twin traction beam. It's the same suspension you have now except it has hollow beams to allow an axle shaft to go through, and a differential bolted to it. It is an early independent suspension design. It functions exactly like what you have now, except it has a differential in it. I would suggest looking at the junk yards first. You can do this conversion in pieces....put the suspension in (takes about 3-4 hours) and then drive it around until your ready to put the transfer case on the tranny. Then u can fiddle around and fix any issues. Once your 100% done you put the front driveshaft on and there ya go. 3.08s are no good, you'll have to get those swapped out when your ready. Most TTBs u see will have a 3.54 gear in them, probably 90%. The rear is alittle different, you'd need 3.55s. A 3.55 gear is good for up to 32" tires. Past that it really becomes a dog and you need something numerically higher. It goes 3.55, 3.73, 4.10, 4.56, 4.88. Most people go with 4.10s on 33s or 35s. How much lift do you want and what size tires are you going to run?
Last edited by MustangGT221; Sep 17, 2003 at 08:16 PM.