2x4 to 4x4 conversion.
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2x4 to 4x4 conversion.
hey everyone. first off I am new to the board, look like I found a great place.
now on to the question.
I have a 1996 ford ranger XLTauto tran. it is a 2x4 and I was thinking of converting to a 4X4. now I know you might ask why? I got the truck for next to nothing.
Mint condition with only 68000 kms on it.
I am thinking it would be a pretty simple bot on job. am I wrong?
I am very mechanical and figure I would not have any problem doing the work.
Is this an unrealistic thought? anyone here have any experience doing this?
any advice is welcome.
thanks all
now on to the question.
I have a 1996 ford ranger XLTauto tran. it is a 2x4 and I was thinking of converting to a 4X4. now I know you might ask why? I got the truck for next to nothing.
Mint condition with only 68000 kms on it.
I am thinking it would be a pretty simple bot on job. am I wrong?
I am very mechanical and figure I would not have any problem doing the work.
Is this an unrealistic thought? anyone here have any experience doing this?
any advice is welcome.
thanks all
Lead Driver
Joined: May 2000
Posts: 9,236
Likes: 12
From: Senoia, GA
no it's not undoable but it is gonna take some plannin. you'll need to look into the narrow solid axles like under an EB or jeep. also you'll need a t-case with ford drop and you'll need the adapter housing to mate the t-case and tranny.
do you know how to weld and do you have a good place to work? i doubt this would be a one day job... hell prolly not even a weekend job so you might plan on having an extra vehicle to drive temp until you get it done. but it would be fun and educational!
-cutts-
do you know how to weld and do you have a good place to work? i doubt this would be a one day job... hell prolly not even a weekend job so you might plan on having an extra vehicle to drive temp until you get it done. but it would be fun and educational!
-cutts-
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Originally Posted by fishmanndotcom
no it's not undoable but it is gonna take some plannin. you'll need to look into the narrow solid axles like under an EB or jeep. also you'll need a t-case with ford drop and you'll need the adapter housing to mate the t-case and tranny.
do you know how to weld and do you have a good place to work? i doubt this would be a one day job... hell prolly not even a weekend job so you might plan on having an extra vehicle to drive temp until you get it done. but it would be fun and educational!
-cutts-
do you know how to weld and do you have a good place to work? i doubt this would be a one day job... hell prolly not even a weekend job so you might plan on having an extra vehicle to drive temp until you get it done. but it would be fun and educational!
-cutts-
I kinda figured I could just find a wrecked 4x4 ranger and swap the drive train.
is this not the case? I figuresd it was all the same body and frame and all.
would you be able to point me in the direction of some info on where to start?
rember this is my first truck
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Originally Posted by KubotaOrange76
do you want to put a solid axle(upgrade) or ar eu just wanted to slap a dana 35 ttb in?
to be honest here I dont know what the difference is with a solid axle.
my goal here is to put together a truck for moderate off roading.
I do a lot of hunting and keep mostly to logging roads.
I want to keep the prodject simple but dont mind putting in the better stuff if it makes the project that much better
Lead Driver
Joined: May 2000
Posts: 9,236
Likes: 12
From: Senoia, GA
chris, dont confuse the poor guy lol.
D35ttb stands for Dana 35 twin traction beam. it is a type of axle that pivots in the middle, sort of like an IFS (independent front suspension) setup. you would prolly be much better off going solid axle
yes you could very easily find a wrecked ranger a swap everything in, that is a very viable option. but you could also do it piece by piece.
welding required would include: fabbing new mounts for t-case/tranny, possibly new spring mounts for the axle, and new driveshafsts.... and thats if all goes well.
-cutts-
D35ttb stands for Dana 35 twin traction beam. it is a type of axle that pivots in the middle, sort of like an IFS (independent front suspension) setup. you would prolly be much better off going solid axle
Originally Posted by dive_kid
what welding is needed? I kinda figured I could just find a wrecked 4x4 ranger and swap the drive train.
is this not the case? I figuresd it was all the same body and frame and all.
would you be able to point me in the direction of some info on where to start?
rember this is my first truck
is this not the case? I figuresd it was all the same body and frame and all.
would you be able to point me in the direction of some info on where to start?
rember this is my first truck
welding required would include: fabbing new mounts for t-case/tranny, possibly new spring mounts for the axle, and new driveshafsts.... and thats if all goes well.
-cutts-
Last edited by fishmanndotcom; Sep 11, 2005 at 11:32 PM.
FTE Leadership Emeritus
Joined: Jan 2003
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From: 3rd Rock
Originally Posted by dive_kid
hey everyone. first off I am new to the board, look like I found a great place.
now on to the question.
I have a 1996 ford ranger XLTauto tran. it is a 2x4 and I was thinking of converting to a 4X4. now I know you might ask why? I got the truck for next to nothing.
Mint condition with only 68000 kms on it.
I am thinking it would be a pretty simple bot on job. am I wrong?
I am very mechanical and figure I would not have any problem doing the work.
Is this an unrealistic thought? anyone here have any experience doing this?
any advice is welcome.
thanks all
now on to the question.
I have a 1996 ford ranger XLTauto tran. it is a 2x4 and I was thinking of converting to a 4X4. now I know you might ask why? I got the truck for next to nothing.
Mint condition with only 68000 kms on it.
I am thinking it would be a pretty simple bot on job. am I wrong?
I am very mechanical and figure I would not have any problem doing the work.
Is this an unrealistic thought? anyone here have any experience doing this?
any advice is welcome.
thanks all
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Post Fiend
Joined: Jan 2000
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From: Dryden, ON, Canada
If you can get a donor truck, the swap will be almost as straightforward as a F150, but, I know you need to change the radius arm crossmember, and possibly the pivot brackets in addition to the rest of what needs done on a 150.
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Post Fiend
Joined: Jun 2002
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From: Atlanta GA
if you want to get as close to a factory swap as possible, then get a front axle from a 1997 or under 4.0 4x4 Ranger. Though most came with auto hubs and swapping the TTB in is a real hassle. It is even more of a hassle removing the TTB at the grave yard if you do not have a torch handy and the body off the truck. Especially for the center pivot. I know from personal experience it is a real pain removing a TTB from a full size Bronco.
Plus, you will need the transmission besides the transfer case. If you have a 2x4 then most likely you have a 3.0 automatic. If you do, I think you would be way ahead of the game by selling it and buying a 4x4 standard shift 4.0. If you have the 4.0 in teh 2x4 then I would get a 4.0 transmission and transfer case, wiring harness, etc. Then swap in a Dana 44 straight axle. There was someone named "fortune" that swapped one into his Bronco II so its doable for a Ranger too.
Plus, you will need the transmission besides the transfer case. If you have a 2x4 then most likely you have a 3.0 automatic. If you do, I think you would be way ahead of the game by selling it and buying a 4x4 standard shift 4.0. If you have the 4.0 in teh 2x4 then I would get a 4.0 transmission and transfer case, wiring harness, etc. Then swap in a Dana 44 straight axle. There was someone named "fortune" that swapped one into his Bronco II so its doable for a Ranger too.
Post Fiend
Joined: Jan 2000
Posts: 5,330
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From: Dryden, ON, Canada
Real pain removing a TTB from a fullsize? Riiight... It's a whole 6 bolts, the brake calipers and the radius arm nuts. We pulled a TTB out of an 87 F150, and swapped it into my buddy's 85 F150 in place of the TTB in a whole three hours, with hand tools.
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it is a 2.3l 4 banger automatic.
I think with what I want to do in the bush 4x4 wont really be needed.
I have decided to go with a 3 inch body lift, 31 inc tires and a locker in the diff.
got a winch for the bed. I am only doing logging roads sor for now I think this will do.
as for the 4x4 conversion, I will continue to get advice and research. when I get board I will do it, just cuse I have nothing better to do.....lol that wont take long.
thanks for all the advice bros.
I think with what I want to do in the bush 4x4 wont really be needed.
I have decided to go with a 3 inch body lift, 31 inc tires and a locker in the diff.
got a winch for the bed. I am only doing logging roads sor for now I think this will do.
as for the 4x4 conversion, I will continue to get advice and research. when I get board I will do it, just cuse I have nothing better to do.....lol that wont take long.
thanks for all the advice bros.
Posting Guru
Joined: Aug 2001
Posts: 1,533
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The truck does have low kilometers on it and it would be nice to have it as a 4x4 but I think you will be looking at a good chunk of change to do the conversion.
If you are using Kilometers you must be a Canadian like me but I don't know where you are from but here in B.C. 2wd Rangers are not big sellers but 4x4s are. Even with the low kms I don't know how much you would get for it.
If you really want a 4x4 then you may have to take a little bit of a loss and get a 4x4. With the price of fuel you may want to stick with a Ranger a F-150 4x4 might be a little piggy on fuel.
If you are using Kilometers you must be a Canadian like me
but I don't know where you are from but here in B.C. 2wd Rangers are not big sellers but 4x4s are. Even with the low kms I don't know how much you would get for it.If you really want a 4x4 then you may have to take a little bit of a loss and get a 4x4. With the price of fuel you may want to stick with a Ranger a F-150 4x4 might be a little piggy on fuel.
Junior User
Joined: Mar 2003
Posts: 96
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From: Florida
I had the same idea as you, but I dropped the idea last weekend when I finally started pricing up all of the materials, most from the pick and pulls around here. Out of everything I wanted to do to my truck, without the 4wd, would cost me 4 grand and that's rounded down a good amount and still leaving me with a 2wd and an I6. (That that the moto option is bad, just wanted something larger)
I had the conversion idea for about a year now and finally got the funds and help to support it, but after seeing the price I decided the beast wasn't going to go into surgery. I decided to use the money to by a trail ready rig, so I did and still leaves me with enough money to make her mine. All I need is a drive shaft to make her 4wd, heh..
I tried beating the grain, but money prevails.
I had the conversion idea for about a year now and finally got the funds and help to support it, but after seeing the price I decided the beast wasn't going to go into surgery. I decided to use the money to by a trail ready rig, so I did and still leaves me with enough money to make her mine. All I need is a drive shaft to make her 4wd, heh..
I tried beating the grain, but money prevails.
Posting Guru
Joined: Aug 2001
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I have looked into 4wheeldrive conversions too as the type of trucks I'am looking for are rarer than a hens tooth. What I'am looking for or was looking for is a 4x4 1 ton cab and chassis they are rare in B.C. so I looked into converting a 2wd. After I crunched the numbers it would be fairly expensive so it come to be not worth it.
With 4x4 Rangers all over it would be a better option is to buy a 4x4 instead of converting a 2wd to a 4x4. I don't know what year Ford switched to A arm suspension for the 4x4s if its A arm for that year then your SOL on trying to make TTB work. If the front suspension on the 2wd Ranger was twin I beam you still have a chance of bolting in TTB. If it has A arm suspension then you would have to try custom build a leaf spring suspension for the front prolly a little pricey and time consuming.
Shop around you may find a truck you want and you may find a buyer for your current truck who might be hot to trot for a economical 2wd P/U
With 4x4 Rangers all over it would be a better option is to buy a 4x4 instead of converting a 2wd to a 4x4. I don't know what year Ford switched to A arm suspension for the 4x4s if its A arm for that year then your SOL on trying to make TTB work. If the front suspension on the 2wd Ranger was twin I beam you still have a chance of bolting in TTB. If it has A arm suspension then you would have to try custom build a leaf spring suspension for the front prolly a little pricey and time consuming.
Shop around you may find a truck you want and you may find a buyer for your current truck who might be hot to trot for a economical 2wd P/U
Logistics Pro
Joined: Jan 2002
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From: GANS
Originally Posted by 82F100SWB
Real pain removing a TTB from a fullsize? Riiight... It's a whole 6 bolts, the brake calipers and the radius arm nuts. We pulled a TTB out of an 87 F150, and swapped it into my buddy's 85 F150 in place of the TTB in a whole three hours, with hand tools.
