Hello everybody,

This is a crazy idea that a buddy and i have. We are wanting to turn a two wheel drive into a 4 wheel drive. Is this possable? What will it take to do such a thing? And if it is possable How much work will it take to do so? Thanks everybody.

Spike

 

It is possible, but would take alot of time and effort to do it. I would just trade in the 2x4 and buy a 4x4. What kind of vehicle are you thinking of doing a conversion for?

 

I'm no expert, but pretty much everything after the engine output. Transfer case, driveshafts, axles, add front diff, ad nauseum.

There are companies out there that do 4x4 modifications for E-series vans, since you can't get them in 4WD stock. You might do some research there.

I suspect the best option is going to be having your dealer do the "upgrade" - trading in your 4x2, purchasing a new/used 4x4.

 

like others have said, people have done it, it takes time and money, Alot of each

 

Having spent a good portion of the last 20 years actively cruising around various four-wheeling communities, I have been truly surprised at how often this question comes up. Seriously. There are a lot of people that think about doing it.

The sad truth is that it really isn't very feasible unless you have direct & free access to a wrecking/salvage yard(s) & have a fully functional shop. (And a huge amount of spare time. ) It is also relatively imperative that your project vehicle shares the same passenger compartment (cab/body...whatever you want to call it) & frame between the 4x2 & 4x4 models.

If the floor of the cabs are different, you will likely have to do significant modifications to the floor pan in order to clear the transfer case & its shift linkages. This modification will require further modification within the passenger compartment, as seats & consoles will no longer bolt in like they had.

If the frames are different:

• The best choice would be to do a full frame swap. But, how often do you get a wrecked donor with an intact frame?!?
• The second alternative would be to find where the frames share the same dimensions, and then graft the front of the 4x4 frame onto the rear section of the 4x2 frame. This unfortunately creates a weak spot, as without major over-fabrication & reinforcing, the two frame halves will likely never be as strong as either of the two original frames.
• The last alternative is to custom fabricate the front end of the frame. Major applications of automotive suspension (forces, geometry, etc.) & fabrication knowledge will be needed to get this to work successfully.

Even if the 4x2 & 4x4 vehicles share the same cab & frame, it is very likely that you will have to do some pretty major reconstructive surgery to the front end of the frame in order to pull out the 4x2 suspension & support bracketry and get it prepared to recieve the 4x4 suspension. Some of the "permanently" placed suspension bracketry can be located on the frame with rivets and subsequently welded in place. Which means long hours spent in grinding & cutting through welds & rivets without damaging the underlying frame.

It is not unheard of for the motors to be positioned slightly differently between a 4x4 & 4x2. This could create clearance issues once you start getting the front suspension, steering, driveshaft & axle put into place. Especially once you excercise the front axle through its full range of articulation movements--both sides fully compressed, both sides fully relaxed, one side fully compressed while the other is fully relaxed.

You'll also need to add in the transfer case support member, but this is probably the easiest step in the entire conversion process.

These are just the quick ones that I can think of off the top of my head....and that is, of course, assuming that you can get all of the various parts without going broke or taking out a second mortgage to do so.


Like everyone else has stated, trade the 4x2 in for a 4x4, or sell it out right & buy a 4x4.



On edit: Oh, and if it is a newer vehicle, you will likely need to get the primary & ABS computers reprogrammed to acknowledge that it is a 4x4. Unfortunately, most dealerships won't even touch this part of the conversion work. (Thanks to all of the litigation-happy Americans.)

 

Damn...Deluxe05 came with the knowledge! Good post!

 

wow its amazing how much some people really know on the forum...great post Deluxe

 

http://www.earnhartbuilt.com/index.htm

this guy claims he can do it for you... only problem is he hasn't replied to my emails. i want a short bed 4x4... i know my truck and know its history. thats a big reason why i dont want to trade.

 

Wow...Deluxe....I'm still stuck on the word "feasible"....uhhhhhh (Butt-head impersonation)

 

in reality it would be very feasable if you bought a rolled over 4x4 sd with an intact frame. drop your body on the donor frame . Truck should have a salvage title which would make the buy cheaper than if it had a clean title. Some of the left over parts could be sold to get some of the initial investment back. Trying to do it piece by piece would nickle and dime you to death in both time and money. of course same length frame as yours, reg cab, s crew, or 4 door.