2wd to 4wd conversion kits
Freshman User
Joined: Jan 2009
Posts: 34
Likes: 0
From: Wellsburg,WV
I do not know about the aftermarket, but I would think that you could use all junkyard parts, or a donor truck to get everything from. another idea could be to find a 4wd chassis and put your body & motor in it. either way you go its alot of work.
Elder User
Joined: Apr 2003
Posts: 502
Likes: 0
I have seen later model Dana 60's used with coils and half ton radius arms on 2wd frames-pics in here somewhere. Looked slick, but more than likely more fabrication than most could/want to do.
+1 on the chassis swap! Making holes, if needed for body mounts is much easier.
+1 on the chassis swap! Making holes, if needed for body mounts is much easier.
Junior User
Joined: Nov 2008
Posts: 79
Likes: 0
I was throwing around the idea of swapping from 2wd to 4wd in my 73 F100. It is definately possible. Way to much work for me to get into right now. I agree that the chassis swap is the easiest way to go about this.
Post Fiend
Joined: Jul 2006
Posts: 6,948
Likes: 44
Its really just minor fabrication. If you can handle an engine and trans swap, and you can tackle a cab swap, a 4wd conversion is not that difficult.
Using a divorced transfer case eliminates the need to change the transmission as a 2wd trans can be used. The next thing is mounting sme hangers and installing some shackles.
Using an 80's D60 is difficult to do with the given widths of the front of our frames. Using a radius arm means that a section of the cast differential and driver side spring perch must be cut, but it can be done. You must use a spring buckets from a 4wd too, but again, this can be pretty easy. With long radius arm kits available, this has become a very reasonable swap.
Dont get me wrong, the modofication os a bunch of work, but in reality, swapping bodies, engines, transmissions, electrical, etc, is not an easy task either.
In the case of the 4wd conversion, this will require some welding to box the frame, and the steering box will have to be replaced, but this is true whether or not a 4wd frame is used. The stock steering is simply inadequate, and should be changed anyway.
Other than the front crossmember the frames are suprisingly similar.
Using a divorced transfer case eliminates the need to change the transmission as a 2wd trans can be used. The next thing is mounting sme hangers and installing some shackles.
Using an 80's D60 is difficult to do with the given widths of the front of our frames. Using a radius arm means that a section of the cast differential and driver side spring perch must be cut, but it can be done. You must use a spring buckets from a 4wd too, but again, this can be pretty easy. With long radius arm kits available, this has become a very reasonable swap.
Dont get me wrong, the modofication os a bunch of work, but in reality, swapping bodies, engines, transmissions, electrical, etc, is not an easy task either.
In the case of the 4wd conversion, this will require some welding to box the frame, and the steering box will have to be replaced, but this is true whether or not a 4wd frame is used. The stock steering is simply inadequate, and should be changed anyway.
Other than the front crossmember the frames are suprisingly similar.
Trending Topics
New User
Joined: Feb 2009
Posts: 1
Likes: 0
I just finished mine...I did a frame swap and it took me a whole day to finish with the help of a friend. The main reason was i didn't want to move the front crossmember on my '78 f-250. Wish i would've taken pic's but didn't think about it at the time, was in a hurry to finish in one day. This is my daily driver
FTE Stories
Ford Trucks for Ford Truck Enthusiasts
10 Fords to Drive Before You Die
Joe Kucinski
3 Best / Worst Features Of The 2025+ Ford Expedition
Brett Foote
10 Ways Ford is LOSING to the Competition
Joe Kucinski
Top 6 Best Deals Available on New Fords & Lincolns Right Now
Brett Foote
This Hennessey Takes the Expedition Tremor's Off-Roading Capability to the Next Level
Verdad Gallardo
Top 10 Fords at 2026 Carlisle Ford Nationals
Joe Kucinski
3 Best / 3 Worst Parts of Modern Ford Ownership
Brett Foote
10 Amazing Upgrades That Solve Common Ford Truck Owner Headaches
Pouria Savadkouei
Every 2026 Ford Engine Explained
Brett Foote
Senior User
Joined: Feb 2003
Posts: 247
Likes: 0
From: Greenville, NC
I've done a cab swap essentially by myself using a lift (used 1 friend for about a total of an hour, mainly to lift the front clip on and off, and right when I dropped the new cab on the frame.) It's really not that hard, so if you really have a nice cab then I could see swapping a good cab onto a 4x4 chassis. Otherwise I stick with my original statement that the easiest and cheapest method is to sell the 2wd and buy a 4wd.
Senior User
Joined: Feb 2009
Posts: 131
Likes: 2
I've done a 2wd to 4wd conversion twice. both times I had a 2wd truck that I wanted the body from and a 4wd with shot body.
The frame shape and steering box location on the 2wd versions just make it really inconvenient to put a front axle under. It requires fabrication and some non oem parts.
If you're planning to run a custom suspension with a lot of lift anyway, its no big deal, but if you're planning to stay at a reasonable height, you're gonna have to do a lot of cutting of the 2wd crossmembers to make it all work.
So I dropped my 2wd body on top of the 4wd frame. Requires some inner fender trimming for steering box and shock tower clearance and of course the hole for the transfer case shifter.
The frame shape and steering box location on the 2wd versions just make it really inconvenient to put a front axle under. It requires fabrication and some non oem parts.
If you're planning to run a custom suspension with a lot of lift anyway, its no big deal, but if you're planning to stay at a reasonable height, you're gonna have to do a lot of cutting of the 2wd crossmembers to make it all work.
So I dropped my 2wd body on top of the 4wd frame. Requires some inner fender trimming for steering box and shock tower clearance and of course the hole for the transfer case shifter.
Thread
Thread Starter
Forum
Replies
Last Post
flip67
1973 - 1979 F-100 & Larger F-Series Trucks
13
Jul 6, 2021 01:07 PM
Lug Nut
1961 - 1966 F-100 & Larger F-Series Trucks
0
Dec 20, 2015 06:57 PM
bdubs1127
1967 - 1972 F-100 & Larger F-Series Trucks
50
Jun 27, 2015 07:22 PM
quincyj34
1987 - 1996 F150 & Larger F-Series Trucks
4
May 15, 2015 10:48 AM
