2wd--4wd conversion
Elder User
Joined: Nov 2006
Posts: 614
Likes: 0
From: Pensacola, FL
the frames are the same whether 2 or 4wd. i did this on my 2wd 95 model with the front axle from an 83 4wd. everything on the front axle bolted right in. i would suggest transfering the running gear to your frame, the one that's been rolled could have done damage to the frame also, not just the body.
Senior User
Joined: Jun 2005
Posts: 144
Likes: 0
From: North Branford, CT
yeah the two trucks in my signature are the ones that im doing the swap in, am i gonna run into any trouble?
Trending Topics
Elder User
Joined: Nov 2006
Posts: 614
Likes: 0
From: Pensacola, FL
are you keeping the 6?? having the whole truck should make things simple, you will have to use the driveshafts from the 4wd, front and rear. my 95 had the harness plug in for the 4wd indicator lights in my instrument cluster, i just had to remove the factory plug and hook it to my tcase. your floor pan has the place for the tcase shifter, it is held on with 4 screws and some weather sealant, i heated it a little with a propane torch and it came right off after trying to pry it loose. other than that it is an easy swap, especially with the same year trucks. oh yeah, don't forget the axle ratios, if your 2wd is different than the 4wd. 4wd also have a wider rear spring. you will have to torch or cut off the hangers on both trucks and bolt the wide springs onto your 2wd if you want the heavier springs. i left mine with the narrower ones cause i don't plan on lifting it and i didn't want the ride to be too hard.
ps. i also converted mine from 5sp od to a 4sd auto, but you may have issues with which flywheel to use. the 302 and 300 have different balances.
ps. i also converted mine from 5sp od to a 4sd auto, but you may have issues with which flywheel to use. the 302 and 300 have different balances.
Last edited by 95Ford4x4; Apr 11, 2007 at 10:55 AM.
FTE Stories
Ford Trucks for Ford Truck Enthusiasts
AEV FXL Super Duty - the Super Duty Raptor Ford Doesn't Make
Brett Foote
Lobo Vs Lobo: Proof the F-150 Lobo Should Be Even Lower!
Michael S. Palmer
Ford's 2001 Explorer Sportsman Concept Looks For a New Home
Verdad Gallardo
10 Best Ford Truck Engines We Miss the Most!
Joe Kucinski
2026 Shelby F-150 Off-Road: Better Than a Raptor R?
Brett Foote
2027 Super Duty Carhartt Package First Look: 12 Things You NEED to Know!
Michael S. Palmer
10 Most Surprising 2026 Ford Truck Features!
Joe Kucinski
Top 10 Ford Trucks Coming to Mecum Indy 2026
Brett Foote
5 Best / 5 Worst Ford Truck Wheels of All Time
Joe Kucinski
Senior User
Joined: Jun 2005
Posts: 144
Likes: 0
From: North Branford, CT
yeah i would be keeping the 300(for now, eventually upgrading to a rebuilt 460 carb.) and was told i need to use the transfer case with the transmission it was originally from, but i like my 4 speed(especially becasue i recently had it rebuilt). also i am lifting my truck so im just going to leave the stock springs as well until i buy the lift springs, new hangers, the works. yeah i knew about the floorpan shifter hole, i just wasnt sure if id need to cut it or not. where would i be looking for the 4x4 indicator lights harness and what am i looking for, just wanna check if i even have it
Elder User
Joined: Nov 2006
Posts: 614
Likes: 0
From: Pensacola, FL
i don't see why you can't put the tcase on your 4sp. it may require a different adapter than the 5sp, but the tcases should be the same no matter the tranny. the problem you will have is the driveshafts, the 5sp is a longer tranny and if you keep the 4sp the rear shaft will be too short and the front one too long, not sure how much difference in length, but i would measure and see if you will need new driveshafts before sticking with the 4sp. the harness wire was down on the frame rail, drivers side, along where the tranny is. mine is a 2 prong, one for 4wd and one for 4lo, your's should be just a single prong though. look at the 4wd and see where it's wire comes from and yours should be in same place but plugged off. i even had the lights already in the dash, so soon as i plugged it in everything worked.
i may eventually put a 4 or 6in lift on my truck, but i'll lift it with the narrower springs.
i may eventually put a 4 or 6in lift on my truck, but i'll lift it with the narrower springs.
Junior User
Joined: Sep 2006
Posts: 65
Likes: 0
From: Longmont, Colorado
What is the 5 speed you have? The reason I ask is that the ZF is shorter than the M5OD. A previous owner of my truck swapped in a ZF in place of a M5OD and did not change the drive shafts. That left the rear shaft too short (by about 4 inches) and the front shaft too long. I do not know how they got the front shaft in, I couldn't get it to go in when I did work on the tranny. I ended up getting a new rear shaft and had the front shortened.
Senior User
Joined: Jun 2005
Posts: 144
Likes: 0
From: North Branford, CT
yeah i didnt think about the size of the trannys, that would create a problem for me as i was hoping to do a straight swap, maybe i will swap in the 5 speed cause thatll be better when i get the 460 id hope plus with the overdrive itd give it room to gallop without stressing the rpms like my 300 does when i get up over 70-5(the whole truck vibrates and heats the oil up enough to fry an ostrich), also im not sure what the 5 speed is i havent gotten a chance to look for any tags or anything and the door jamb codes arent giving me any hints either
Elder User
Joined: Nov 2006
Posts: 614
Likes: 0
From: Pensacola, FL
if it is a mazda 5sp you won't be able to put that tranny to the 460, it is a one piece design and won't match bellhousing of 460. not sure about whether the zf has a removable bellhousing or not. either way, when you get ready for the 460, you will have to make a change with tranny, motor mounts are also different for 460.
Senior User
Joined: Jun 2005
Posts: 144
Likes: 0
From: North Branford, CT
hmmm, im lookin at the 460 for power to turn the 44's that im planning to get after the lift goes in, but i really like manual transmission especially for offroading, ill take a look under there a little later and see if i can find anything decipherable
Elder User
Joined: Nov 2006
Posts: 614
Likes: 0
From: Pensacola, FL
good thing is you have two trucks to get all the parts to convert it with current motor. once you have it running, i would sell the spare parts to buy what you'll need to put the 460 in it. the 300 has the torque to turn 44's, you just have a low rpm limit to work with.