4wd to 2wd ttb conversion

[coreyan21]

Hello all! I have been building an 88 ranger prerunner for a few months now and am nearing the end. I have done nearly everything on it twice because I am never satisfied. I was originally just going to leave the factory front 4wd axle in it and run no drive shaft or transfer case but I have decided that I want to cut that extra weight out since I have everywhere else. I have seen some wicked sweet aluminum 2wd axles in pictures but can not find them to buy anywhere. So now I am debating on making my own tube style to bolt into existing radius arms and using 2wd spindles or sliding a 2wd ttb setup in there but I'm not sure if that would be compatible with the James duff lift and radius arms I currently have on there. Any input, help, or ideas would be greatly appreciated.

 

[kunar]

Kinda backwards from what most people want, you caught me a little off guard haha! My first thought was 2wd b2, they have a front axle that matches the dimensions of the 4wd axle, but without all the driveline stuff. Normal 2wd rangers have a similar but different setup. I like the idea of tubular beams as well, I'm interested to see what you come up with!

 

[Flash Gordan]

It would just be easier and cheaper to go find a 2wd truck to start off with. Turning a 4wd truck into a 2wd means you're going to need to find and replace the engine crossmember.

 

[coreyan21]

Well it wasn't going to be a race truck to start with then one thing led to another and here I am. Hahaha I already have the new motor where I want it in comparison to the cross member so I would rather not replace that. With the original build I went with the James duff stage 3 lift so I'd like to keep those radius arms and coils if possible to avoid pissin away 1800 bucks. So if the 2wd easy saw is out I'm left with creating a tubular setup or finding one of those sweet ass aluminum beam setups I see from time to time in pictures.

 

[Captain Ledd]

2wd Bronco 2's used beams that utilized 4x4 hardware. They would bolt up to the frame side mounts, but I don't know about the radius arms.

 

[kunar]

2wd Bronco 2's used beams that utilized 4x4 hardware. They would bolt up to the frame side mounts, but I don't know about the radius arms.

As far as I know, the radius arms were all the same, 2wd or 4x4

 

[I_TarantulaX]

The 4x4 beams are forged so they could be cut and rewelded with tube to make your own 2wd beams, while you are at it you could widen the front end if you wanted to. I imagine you could reuse the 4wd spindles.

 

[alwaysFlOoReD]

AFAIK the 4x4 beams are all stamped steel and can be welded. Early tib beams are forged and can be heated and bent and welded. Later tib beams will have a "do not heat or weld" embossed on the beam.

Richard