Convert 2WD to 4WD: Is it possible?????

[Thed]

I've been going crazy these last few days thinking that it just might be possible to convert DeLone (who is 2WD) to a 4WD truck...

Now this thing is my daily driver, and I'm not going to be do doing anything too serious off-road, but I do want to be able to take it to something that isn't some little puddle on a dirt road. So I was thinking of getting a Dana 30 from a Jeep XJ and getting a BW1354 transfer case and this thing should be pretty straightforward. Could I be crazy? Stupid? In over my head? Or is this actually possible? I do know that the transfer case would have to be wired up (it's damn near impossible to find a manual 1354 at LKQ) and the cross-member brace thingy that holds the TTB's would have to be removed, but after that it seems pretty simple.

Any ideas? Would this be a TRS first?

 

[Hahnsb2]

Nope, never been done or discussed before, you're a pioneer

 

[Thed]

Do you think I'll need a new tranny or driveshaft?

 

[Sunk]

Yes.

 

[gwaii]

damn....where's the facepalm when ya need it...

 

[alwaysFlOoReD]

Search s.a.s. or sas or solid axle swap.

Richard

 

[Thed]

damn....where's the facepalm when ya need it...

Facepalm? For which part?

 

[gwaii]

Facepalm? For which part?

ya need to do some lookin' around this site.

the question you've asked has been asked a million times already.and ya,it's been done a million times.

check some of the threads linked at the bottom of this post.you just might learn something.

 

[Thed]

ya need to do some lookin' around this site.

the question you've asked has been asked a million times already.and ya,it's been done a million times.

check some of the threads linked at the bottom of this post.you just might learn something.

Ok then...... since You seem like the person to ask, I'll bug you about it. Will the 1354 bolt right into the M5OD-R1? Does the rear driveshaft need to be altered at all? What front driveshaft should I use? The one from F150/Bronco/Explorer/Ranger I might pull it off of?

 

[Sunk]

You'll need to do some work to the trans to get the t-case to bolt up, but I'm pretty sure it's possible. Although I think it would be easier to just get a 4x4 trans and t-case together. The rear drive shaft will be different as there would now be a t-case in there and the there is a flange vs. a slip-yoke. A stock front shaft may work, but I don't know what u-joints the D30 uses.


Spend some time searching, looking through build threads and reading the Tech Library at the top of the page as most if not all of these question have already been answered many many times.

 

[gwaii]

Ok then...... since You seem like the person to ask, I'll bug you about it. Will the 1354 bolt right into the M5OD-R1??

yes,if it's a 4x4 one.

Does the rear driveshaft need to be altered at all??

yes...you'll want one from the 4x4 that donated the t-case.there still may be mods needed,depending on the differences between your truck and the donor.there's lots of good info on this if you search.

What front driveshaft should I use? The one from F150/Bronco/Explorer/Ranger I might pull it off of?

bronco ll,ttb explorer,or ranger.once again,there may be differences between your truck and the donor that need to be considered.

the engine mount crossmember will need to be changed to the 4x4 version,the front diff will need to be matched to the gearing of the rear,and a whack of other things will need to be considered.

there's a huge amount of info on this site written by very knowledgable people.i'd suggest doing some research and gaining a base of knowledge to build on,then asking more specific questions.

people will be more than willing to help you out,but you must show an attempt to help yourself first to show you are serious enough that those taking the time to repeat information that's already out there are not simply wasting their efforts.

i don't want to sound harsh,but that's just how it is.

 

[4.0B2]

easiest thing to do, is find a 4x4 ranger that's something like yours, strip it of everything. trans, t/case, shafts, wiring to electric case(even tho i would find a manual- or you could just use the "shiftster" thing)..

the d30 will need custom y-link radius arms. or use a xj long arm.. like rusty's or ironman fab's(great stuff). then custom link mounts at the frame(usually doubles w/ the transmission crossmember). gotta think about your panhard (track) bar and bracket.

its a lot of work.
if i was you-- i would find a 96 4x4 ranger, and use the d35 that's in it. watch out for the d35/28 hybrids tho. get a true d35 ttb axle, that matches your rear gears. and just get everything from that ranger.

its a lot of work.

and gwaii is right. i only typed this out b/c i'm bored as hell. but usually i'd just tell you to search to. the search feature works wonders on this site. there is so much info, you just gotta try to help yourself!!!!!

 

[Thed]

yes,if it's a 4x4 one.

Do you mean if it's the 4WD transmission? Can I just take off that little yolk at the end of the tranny and then be all good?

 

[Captain Ledd]

Any ideas? Would this be a TRS first?

Seriously man, you need to do some legwork of your own.

top right of the thread section there is this "search" function. In fact, I'll make it easy for you.

CLICK HERE

The search terms are "4wd swap". There are 4 or 5 on the first page, another 4 or 5 on the next page, probably more on the last 3. Including a mention in the "most over posted subjects" thread. And this is just general discussions, there's even more in the suspension and drive line forums.

Nobody is going to be around to spoon feed you this stuff forever, sooner or later you need to do some figuring out on your own.

Click the link and start reading.

 

[Heavyfire14]

hahahaha you seem in over your head. either buy a 4x4 ranger or sell your ranger and buy a 4x4. or put on a rear locker and learn how to drive a 2wd.

just sayin...