Hey guys i got a 2oo2 f350 7.3 2 wheel drive dually, ive had it since 80,000 now i got 135,000 miles on it and just cant keep the tires aligned. i have numerous tires and alignments done and after 10,000 miles the tires start candy caning. Well its 2 wheel drive and bein from texas always hunting and out in the farm im constently geting stuck so to fix both problems im just gonna put a straight axle and convert it to 4x4. Everything looks like its gonna bolt in easy(axle, shocks, transfer case) but the one problem and i cant for see is the electrical stuff. I think there is two plugs goin to my 2 wheel drive 4r100, and i dont think the 4x4 4r100 has these two plugs? or one plug will be on the adapter between the tranmission and the tranfer case? basically i know i can get everthing mounted, i just dont know if the truck will shift or even run when im thru

 

I have heard many people ask this question, and those in the know, always say it is more costly to do this conversion than it is worth. You are better off selling that truck and getting a 4x4. There are lot's of issues electrically and the 2x4 4r100 is different than the 4x4 version etc. I know I am not much direct help with my answer but I thought I would offer the advice that I have seen so many times before.

 

yeah i know the 4r100 in my truck now is different than the 4x4 version and i probably wait to do the trans-transfercase swap until my 2 wheel drive tranny blows. i will just do the axle sawp now since my front end now is about to fall out. But you know the people that tryed this had electrical problems?

 

Like Jason said, sell it and buy a 4x4. You'll be money ahead in the end. Trans, transfer case, adapter, new drivelines, axle, springs, pitman arm, steering linkage...
just sell it and buy a 4x4.
Almost forgot my manners- welcome to FTE! If your truck is stock, it won't be for long with this crowd hanging around.

 

I don't know anyone personally, but I have seen it mentioned many times here, and they go through a list of reasons why it isn't practical. It's not out of the realm of being doable, it just ends up being a hassle and costing more than if you were to get rid of the 2x and get a 4x. If you already have most of the pieces needed, it will just be a matter of figuring a few electrical issues out and going from there, I'm sure.

As far as just hooking it up 2x4 for now it should do exactly what you want it to do assuming the frame is straight and isn't the reason that the truck won't stay aligned to begin with. I personally would want to be sure that the front end is actually the issue, and then proceed in the direction you are.

 

Anybody know the difference or the unseen problems of the transfercase bein manual or electircal shift?

 

They are 2 entirely different transfer cases. The manual one will probably be the much easier one for your application. The electrical one is going to need a lot more in the wiring department. The manual one ( I have) you will just need the appropriate hole on the tranny tunnel. That is another issue I have heard, The tranny tunnel is a little different 2wd vs. 4wd.

 

Very good point, I had forgotten about that.

 

Yeah i didnt think about that, thanks. So there are no wires goin to the manual transfer case?

 

The cab should theoretically be the exact same. But who know cause the FORD engineering geniuses did a bunch of other random stuff for whatever reason.

There should already be a hole in the floorboard for the manual shifter, it's just covered up with a "filler" piece and the carpet. The trans should be the same, but the rear section on it has to be swapped out to adapt the transfer case.

Like Jason said, a manual shift would be MUCH better for the conversion than the electronic. There still should be some wiring going to it because how else would the 4x4 lights know to come on on the dash. There shouldn't be any extra wiring for the front end either. You should still have the ABS sensors in your spindles just like the straight axles do. Install some WARN manual hubs so you don't have to mess with the vacuum lines.

Good luck man. I hope you are able to get it done!