A True 4x4
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Joined: Oct 2003
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A True 4x4
I recently did some off-road driving in the snow with my buddy who owns a 2002 v10 F-350 4wd and he could not keep up. He got stuck two times and was sliding all over the trails. I was pretty impressed with my 79 Bronco Custom. Even though it performs awesome off-road, I was wondering how to make it into a true 4x4? I know that some vehicles are called 4x4 but all 4 tires don't spin at the same time. I was wondering how much it will cost to turn my Bronco into a true 4x4? Also, could anyone tell me exactly how to perform this transformation? And will turning it into a true 4x4 be bad for it when I have it in 2wd on the street. Because I also use this truck for a daily driver.
BTW front axle-Dana 44
rear axle-Ford 9"
BTW front axle-Dana 44
rear axle-Ford 9"
Tuned
Joined: Dec 2002
Posts: 303
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From: norwich USA
What I would do is get front and rear detroit tru-tracs... they are good on road and much better off road than an open diff...as far as cost, i would venture a guess at about $1500, if done at a shop, which i recommend...that includes parts and labor...
Post Fiend
Joined: Nov 2001
Posts: 14,947
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From: Topsfield, MA
Well determine what ya got now, if they are both open diffs then it's technically a 2wd even in 4wd when the tires have uneven traction. If you had the left tires off the ground in 4wd, it would not move, all the power would go to the two tires off the ground. There are pretty much 3 options for your daily driver. Limited slip, locker, selectable locker. Limited slips are better than open diffs but not as good as a locker (but daily driving comfort is not compromised like with a locker). That would be great for the rear axle. I wouldn't suggest a locker in the rear axle of a daily driver. If you got the bucks, a selectable locker is the best. You can lock it...or leave it as an open diff (some are LS's when unlocked too). That way you get the drive-ability and when you need traction, lock 'er up. I have an ARB air locker in the front axle of my truck, and am putting either a LS or LS/Locker selectable in the rear axle of my truck. I like having an open diff in the front for easier driveabily in snow on the street, but I can lock it if I need to. All of this is expensive though. My ARB was about 800 bucks (having onboard air is nice though). Check ebay for some great deals.
Last edited by MustangGT221; Dec 20, 2003 at 10:30 AM.
Post Fiend
Joined: Jun 2002
Posts: 13,873
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From: Atlanta GA
On a daily driver that will see snow and ice on the street, that is also taken off-road, the best thing is to have selectable lockers ($1200 installed each axle) or limited slips ($500 installed each axle) in both axles.
Going downhill in an icy condition is where an open 4x4 really shines and where you really need it. I have had a rear limited slip send me off the road before I could even react driving down a hill doing not even 20 mph in a snow storm.
Going downhill in an icy condition is where an open 4x4 really shines and where you really need it. I have had a rear limited slip send me off the road before I could even react driving down a hill doing not even 20 mph in a snow storm.
Last edited by rebocardo; Dec 20, 2003 at 01:00 PM.
Post Fiend
Joined: Nov 2001
Posts: 14,947
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From: Topsfield, MA
Those prices can vary big time. You could be a ford LS for cheap on ebay (i got mine for 50 bucks) and it wouldn't cost that that much for install. It's actually pretty easy to install a carrier you might be able to do it yourself. My ARB was about 800 and the install cost 600 (i didn't pay for it but that's what it would have cost. If I didn't get it for free I would have done it myself). You can get an auburn selectable locker for about $650, ARB is one of the more expensive ones because you have to buy a 200 dollar compressor.
Posting Guru
Joined: Sep 2003
Posts: 2,259
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From: Florida Hill Country
Originally posted by MustangGT221
Those prices can vary big time. You could be a ford LS for cheap on ebay (i got mine for 50 bucks) and it wouldn't cost that that much for install. It's actually pretty easy to install a carrier you might be able to do it yourself. My ARB was about 800 and the install cost 600 (i didn't pay for it but that's what it would have cost. If I didn't get it for free I would have done it myself). You can get an auburn selectable locker for about $650, ARB is one of the more expensive ones because you have to buy a 200 dollar compressor.
Those prices can vary big time. You could be a ford LS for cheap on ebay (i got mine for 50 bucks) and it wouldn't cost that that much for install. It's actually pretty easy to install a carrier you might be able to do it yourself. My ARB was about 800 and the install cost 600 (i didn't pay for it but that's what it would have cost. If I didn't get it for free I would have done it myself). You can get an auburn selectable locker for about $650, ARB is one of the more expensive ones because you have to buy a 200 dollar compressor.
Do Tell!I just ordered an Eaton ELocker for my Bronco 8.8 open diff rear. I started a thread to talk about how installation goes and the Results.
https://www.ford-trucks.com/forums/s...hreadid=184463
