Do I really need four wheel drive?
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New User
Joined: May 2002
Posts: 9
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From: Columbus USA
Do I really need four wheel drive?
Hello,
I have a '92 F150 2wd with a 300 I-6 and a mazda 5 speed. I'm planning to take it when I move to Jackson, Wyoming either this fall or, more likely, next spring. I very probably have a source for a good donor truck to supply the components to convert my truck to 4wd, but will it be worth the effort to actually do it? Do I really need 4wd to safely drive in snow and ice or can I just get a locker for the rear axle?
Thanks,
Tom Willetts
I have a '92 F150 2wd with a 300 I-6 and a mazda 5 speed. I'm planning to take it when I move to Jackson, Wyoming either this fall or, more likely, next spring. I very probably have a source for a good donor truck to supply the components to convert my truck to 4wd, but will it be worth the effort to actually do it? Do I really need 4wd to safely drive in snow and ice or can I just get a locker for the rear axle?
Thanks,
Tom Willetts
Post Fiend
Joined: Nov 2001
Posts: 14,947
Likes: 6
From: Topsfield, MA
Do I really need four wheel drive?
If you have an open differencial, yes you'll want to have it. My old truck had a limited slip, could move but not in any kind of serious snow and i had 4 snow tires on it. I had a lot of trouble trying to pull a snowmobile trailer. The 4wd project is pretty envolved, i was just about to start buying parts for mine and my truck got totalled. You might be better off looking for a 4x4 because they are very pleantiful. When you find one you like, trade urs in or sell it. I had a lot of threads going about my 4x4 project so search around a little bit there is a lot of resent information already out there.
Primary rig is NOW TOTALLED :-X23 :
95' F-150 EB 300/6 5 spd with 4" Superlift, MSD, Ram Air, Gibson Exhaust, 32" BFG Muds
Some pictures in my gallery.
Then theres:
88' F-250 Superduty 351 + c6
95' Mercury Cougar 4.6L V-8
80' E-350 300/6 and a
3 spd column shifter. Top speed, 65mph, Go Baby Go!
The newest addition to the Ford family is a 99' Mustang GT 4.6L
Primary rig is NOW TOTALLED :-X23 :
95' F-150 EB 300/6 5 spd with 4" Superlift, MSD, Ram Air, Gibson Exhaust, 32" BFG Muds
Some pictures in my gallery.
Then theres:
88' F-250 Superduty 351 + c6
95' Mercury Cougar 4.6L V-8
80' E-350 300/6 and a
3 spd column shifter. Top speed, 65mph, Go Baby Go!
The newest addition to the Ford family is a 99' Mustang GT 4.6L
Elder User
Joined: Jul 2001
Posts: 726
Likes: 0
From: Glendale USA
Do I really need four wheel drive?
I grew up in riverside WY.
so to answer your question YES YOU WILL NEED A 4X4.
now remember one thing WY gets most of it's snow in spring when everyone else is getting rain. And the wind will drive you crazy in WY
it took 2 years for the sound of wind like listening to a sea shell to get out of my ears. But you have to love WY it is a beautiful state I wolud go back but kinda got used to no snow and warm weather here in AZ plus there isn't a whole lot of work up there
so to answer your question YES YOU WILL NEED A 4X4.
now remember one thing WY gets most of it's snow in spring when everyone else is getting rain. And the wind will drive you crazy in WY
it took 2 years for the sound of wind like listening to a sea shell to get out of my ears. But you have to love WY it is a beautiful state I wolud go back but kinda got used to no snow and warm weather here in AZ plus there isn't a whole lot of work up there
Thread Starter
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New User
Joined: May 2002
Posts: 9
Likes: 0
From: Columbus USA
Do I really need four wheel drive?
Ok, ok, it's decided then! I'll start looking for the components/donor truck immediately. It may be a while before I actually get to the swap, but I'll try to keep y'all informed of the progress.Thanks again,
Tom Willetts
Senior User
Joined: Mar 2002
Posts: 150
Likes: 0
From: Rancho Cordova, CA USA
Do I really need four wheel drive?
It would save you a headache if you just bought a 4x4. Needing one depends on what you use your truck for. It is very handy on snow and ice. Do not get a locker for snow and ice. The effect a locker has on these surfaces are very negative.
Silly rabbit. Jeeps are for chicks!!
"If you're not getting stuck, you're not trying"
76 F100
Silly rabbit. Jeeps are for chicks!!
"If you're not getting stuck, you're not trying"
76 F100
Thread Starter
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New User
Joined: May 2002
Posts: 9
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From: Columbus USA
Do I really need four wheel drive?
[updated:LAST EDITED ON 20-May-02 AT 09:02 PM (EST)]I know it would be simpler to just buy a truck with 4wd, but I am kinda attached to mine. :-) Plus I know the history of the truck; it was bought new by my uncle, then traded to my grandpa for his dually, then bought by me... well really by my dad, but I drive it and maintain it. It's been taken care of since day 1 and it really is in incredible shape; 88,000 miles and you could eat out of the tail pipe it's so clean. Basically, I know my truck and I would be taking a chance on another. Yes, I will still be taking a chance with the 4x4 stuff, but I plan to thoroughly go through it all (new seals, wheel bearings, very likely new gears, and anything else that'll need replacing) before it goes on my truck.
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Post Fiend
Joined: Nov 2001
Posts: 14,947
Likes: 6
From: Topsfield, MA
Do I really need four wheel drive?
Well, if you have the knowledge and time...go for it! I was gonna and im only 18 until my truck got totalled. If you havn't already, i used to have a few threads going about a 4x4 conversion, LOTS of info there, probably everything you need to know how to do it. Do a search in my name under the 4x4 forum, 87-96 forum and there might be a little in the suspension forum. Look for "fords ttb, whats wrong with it?" thats a biggy.
Primary rig is NOW TOTALLED :-X23 :
95' F-150 EB 300/6 5 spd with 4" Superlift, MSD, Ram Air, Gibson Exhaust, 32" BFG Muds
Some pictures in my gallery.
Then theres:
88' F-250 Superduty 351 + c6
95' Mercury Cougar 4.6L V-8
80' E-350 300/6 and a
3 spd column shifter. Top speed, 65mph, Go Baby Go!
The newest addition to the Ford family is a 99' Mustang GT 4.6L
Primary rig is NOW TOTALLED :-X23 :
95' F-150 EB 300/6 5 spd with 4" Superlift, MSD, Ram Air, Gibson Exhaust, 32" BFG Muds
Some pictures in my gallery.
Then theres:
88' F-250 Superduty 351 + c6
95' Mercury Cougar 4.6L V-8
80' E-350 300/6 and a
3 spd column shifter. Top speed, 65mph, Go Baby Go!
The newest addition to the Ford family is a 99' Mustang GT 4.6L
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