2wd to 4wd conversion

[frdranger86]

i was wondering what exactly is needed to convert a 2wd to a 4wd
I have a 1986 2wd and an 87 4wd complete donor truck , would it all swap over or are the frames diffrent ? any advice would help
thanx

 

[Ranger44]

It's the cross member that's the problem. If the frames are the same(same length). Just switch everything over to the 4x4 frame. It will be so much easier. Other than that you can attempt to switch the cross member, but I'm sure it is a very large PITA.

 

[ZMan]

the crossmember is welded and riveted in. You're gonna have to pull the engine out to get at it.

 

[Natedog]

It's the cross member that's the problem. If the frames are the same(same length). Just switch everything over to the 4x4 frame. It will be so much easier. Other than that you can attempt to switch the cross member, but I'm sure it is a very large PITA.

LOL, here look at my swap/conversion and see if you still feel like doing the swap.

http://www.therangerstation.com/forums/showthread.php?t=166

 

[Natedog]

Guess I scared him off...lol.

 

[scotts90ranger]

the easiest way to swap is just swap frames, that's how I did mine... as long as the donor frame is the same (same cab style and same bed style), just get like 4 friends over and swap cabs... it's doable with 3 people and a cherry picker, but easier with a bunch of people...

 

[AllanD]

I did mine the hard way, but I didn't need to ask what was involved.

I KNEW what as involved and did it anyway.

But I also didn't have to pay to have any of it done...

Then again, my welder cost more than my truck did

But to be honest I didn't weld the frame with my welder,
a friend did the job with his even better welder

Something to do with the fact that I provided most of the structural steel that he added to his truck frame

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