2wd to 4wd conversion

[94power_ranger]

just bought my second ranger, 94 excab 4.0 5 speed. only bad thing its 2wd, just curious if the frames are the same on the front ends of the 2wd and 4wd. if so how hard is it to swap in a d35?

 

[Sasquatch_Ryda]

Front engine frame crossmember is different between 2wd and 4wd frames. You can't just swap in the D35 front end.

 

[94power_ranger]

okay well lemme ask this. would it be less of a hassle to do a d30 sas?

 

[adsm08]

Than spreading the frame and replacing a cross-member? A lot less.

 

[4x4junkie]

okay well lemme ask this. would it be less of a hassle to do a d30 sas?

I'd use a D44. A D30 housing doesn't stand much chance of survival under a heavy Supercab truck.

 

[94power_ranger]

d44's are wider so in that case i would have to shorten it. id love to try it, just afraid of spending alot of money on something i end up messing up.

 

[4x4junkie]

An '80s Wagoneer D44 is pretty close to the right width. You would need to add radius arm mounts to it if you want to keep coils though (comes set up for leafs).

Shortening a F-150 D44 really isn't that hard though. Biggest thing is that you have the yoke end set correctly (caster angle) before you reweld it.
http://www.therangerstation.com/tech_library/narrowing_a_ford_dana44.htm