4x4 conversion?

[jaymegriffiths]

for those of you who know about welding and frame strength:
Is it possible to take a 2wd ranger, lift the cab off, take a 4x4 ranger and do the same, measure and Cut the frame on both rangers at the same point, and weld the 2 frames together, so the entire front portion of the 4x4 ranger, including engine and tranny, are now a part of the 2wd ranger? then, since the donor ranger at hand is electronic shift 4x4, could i not simply install the switch into my dash? i realize the cut section of frame would have to be boxed and braced for strength, and welded correctly by a proffesional welder. A friend of a friend works at a machine shop and has access to a licoln 540(or 5 something) welder which according to my friend can sink welds incredibly well. so if cut correctly and measured properly and welded correctly could this be done? it would be similar to an engine swap in difficulty right? I've been pondering this for a while so i figured i'd see if anyone thinks it might work

 

[wvcat]

It could be done but why not just use the whole 4wd frame?

 

[Beanmachine7000]

Or the entire 4wd truck? I would much rather do an engine swap than a frame swap...

 

[jaymegriffiths]

Or the entire 4wd truck? I would much Rather do an engine swap than a frame swap...

cause the body on the other truck is thrashed. and the other truck is a total loss, so i wouldn't wanna get in trouble if the vin numbers on the frame, engine, etc, doesn't match my insurance. see I'm not sure but i don't know how to go about this properly. I could swap all my the VIN's off my truck onto the new frame, and hopefully noone wil notice, but in the event of a claim, if the checked all the vin's (highly unlikely) and found one, there could be an arguement that my insurance would be void. however, its not the damages to my vehicle im really worried about, more the coverage of the oposite party in the collision, should anything ever happen.
I don't know how the insurance where you live is, but here, this vehicle would need both a mechanical and body integrity inspection, and it would never pass either for a reasonable price. is it easier to SAS a currently 4x4 truck then a currently 2wd because of the shape of the frame?

 

[AllanD]

Nobody ever looks and onan older truck it's for damned sure nobody will care.

UNLESS the donor truck is reported as stolen it's a non-issue.

Besides if you "spliced the frame" and they found out it's likely the truck would be condemned because frame modifications are frowned on

Besides you were likely to splice a chunkof frame with the offensive vin on it into your truck anyway.

you can remove ALL the body mounts on one sideloosen them on the other, jack the body up and cut out JUST the engine crossmember (one of three parts that's actually different)

the "fun" part is cleaning up the other crossmember after you get it
out in one-piece then bolting and WELDING it in...

But it's easier to put your good cab on the 4x4 frame just the way it sits.

AD

 

[Captain Ledd]

I'm told the VIN stays with the CAB. But I've got enough jeep friends that have done tub swaps and complete replacement tubs, I don't really know. You're not doing it as a ring or for major profit, you're not switching out actual vin tags, this is a one off type deal. I doubt anyone is going to check. Neither vehicle is reported stolen. I'd bet you're pretty safe.

I'd just bolt the good body onto the 4x4 frame. That is by far the easiest way.

I'm planning on doing the crossmember swap on mine. I've got a bit of sentimental value for mine though. And part 2, being from Michigan, heart of the rust belt, I plan on doing some major cleaning while I'm in there.

 

[jaymegriffiths]

Nobody ever looks and onan older truck it's for damned sure nobody will care.

UNLESS the donor truck is reported as stolen it's a non-issue.

Besides if you "spliced the frame" and they found out it's likely the truck would be condemned because frame modifications are frowned on

Besides you were likely to splice a chunkof frame with the offensive vin on it into your truck anyway.

you can remove ALL the body mounts on one sideloosen them on the other, jack the body up and cut out JUST the engine crossmember (one of three parts that's actually different)

the "fun" part is cleaning up the other crossmember after you get it
out in one-piece then bolting and WELDING it in...

But it's easier to put your good cab on the 4x4 frame just the way it sits.

AD

So, the 2wd cab can be placed on the 4wd frame, and just the crossmember must be modified?

 

[Captain Ledd]

So, the 2wd cab can be placed on the 4wd frame, and just the crossmember must be modified?

Nope, it won't need any mods at all. Unbolt good body - place on new frame - bolt back on.

The 2wd cab and 4wd cab (except for a cutout in the floor, which may have been left in on the 2wd, and may still be on the 4x4 since the t-case is electric) are literally the same thing, there's no difference in any way. Just wire it up the same as it was on the 4x4 ranger.

For all intensive purposes, the frames are exactly the same as well, except for the 4x4 crossmember, and even that will interchange between 4x4 and 4x2 frames. The only other frame difference being the different length wheel bases, and thats really only different behind the cab.

Hmm.. This is getting long..

If the 2 Rangers are identical (same cab style, same bed length) and the only difference being one is 4x2 and the other 4x4. A body swap is all that needs done. And patience putting it back together of course

 

[jaymegriffiths]

Nope, it won't need any mods at all. Unbolt good body - place on new frame - bolt back on.

The 2wd cab and 4wd cab (except for a cutout in the floor, which may have been left in on the 2wd, and may still be on the 4x4 since the t-case is electric) are literally the same thing, there's no difference in any way. Just wire it up the same as it was on the 4x4 ranger.

For all intensive purposes, the frames are exactly the same as well, except for the 4x4 crossmember, and even that will interchange between 4x4 and 4x2 frames. The only other frame difference being the different length wheel bases, and thats really only different behind the cab.

Hmm.. This is getting long..

If the 2 Rangers are identical (same cab style, same bed length) and the only difference being one is 4x2 and the other 4x4. A body swap is all that needs done. And patience putting it back together of course

ok my truck is not long box neither is donor truck. the rear half isn't different length right? both are short box extended cab. so al i do is unplug all computer harness parts and plug into my firewall, then mount the 4x4 switch to my dash and plug back in? that sounds too good to be true

 

[jaymegriffiths]

I'm told the VIN stays with the CAB. But I've got enough jeep friends that have done tub swaps and complete replacement tubs, I don't really know. You're not doing it as a ring or for major profit, you're not switching out actual vin tags, this is a one off type deal. I doubt anyone is going to check. Neither vehicle is reported stolen. I'd bet you're pretty safe.

I'd just bolt the good body onto the 4x4 frame. That is by far the easiest way.

I'm planning on doing the crossmember swap on mine. I've got a bit of sentimental value for mine though. And part 2, being from Michigan, heart of the rust belt, I plan on doing some major cleaning while I'm in there.

im sure there are numerous vin's on the cab, but never checked the frame...
ill double check

 

[Beanmachine7000]

im sure there are numerous vin's on the cab, but never checked the frame...
ill double check

If you're that worried about it call your insurance company, as long as they agree to insure it you will be fine... I've never seen anyone have problems unless it was a car that had the VIN of a different car, I've even heard of some cars illegally imported by using the VIN from an older model of the same vehicle, that definitely is illegal...

 

[Captain Ledd]

ok my truck is not long box neither is donor truck. the rear half isn't different length right? both are short box extended cab. so al i do is unplug all computer harness parts and plug into my firewall, then mount the 4x4 switch to my dash and plug back in? that sounds too good to be true

If they're both extended cabs (all extended cabs had short beds). You're good to go. Just swap over the 4x4 specific components that are inside the cab (switches, wires, etc). It really is that good.



Technically brand new, 2009, short beds will still bolt up to Gen 1 (1983) short beds even. The body lines won't match lol, but technically they'll bolt up, there's pictures floating around. That is one nice thing about the Rangers, they hardly changed anything over the years, and what they did change is usually not as significant as many think.

If you're that worried about it call your insurance company, as long as they agree to insure it you will be fine... I've never seen anyone have problems unless it was a car that had the VIN of a different car, I've even heard of some cars illegally imported by using the VIN from an older model of the same vehicle, that definitely is illegal...

X2 on calling your insurance company. verify you are the owner of both, or basically just validate that they aren't stolen, etc. I don't forsee too much of a problem. You're going to end up with a stock 4x4 Ranger in the end anyways.

 

[AllanD]

OH for the love of God, this is nearly the worst advive I've seen posted lately.
NEVER "ask" because if you do the answer from ANY bureauocracy will be "No".

That the frame number might not match would only be relevant if you
had collision on it.... AND the truck was subsequently wrecked
or if the truck was later stolen and the thief defaced the cab VIN tag.

Here in PA replacing ANYTHING is legal the frame the cab etc...
Just not all at once

the junkyards won't sell you a catylitic converter used but they will sell you a truck cab.
Becuse it's well recognized that truck cabs RUST.

So replacing anything is legal under the justification of "rust repair"

Don't even ASK about the law, because that DESTROYS any
"Plausible deniability" (reasonable ignorance and/or legal culpability)


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[Beanmachine7000]

OH for the love of God, this is nearly the worst advive I've seen posted lately.
NEVER "ask" because if you do the answer from ANY bureauocracy will be "No".

That the frame number might not match would only be relevant if you
had collision on it.... AND the truck was subsequently wrecked
or if the truck was later stolen and the thief defaced the cab VIN tag.

Here in PA replacing ANYTHING is legal the frame the cab etc...
Just not all at once

the junkyards won't sell you a catylitic converter used but they will sell you a truck cab.
Becuse it's well recognized that truck cabs RUST.

So replacing anything is legal under the justification of "rust repair"

Don't even ASK about the law, because that DESTROYS any
"Plausible deniability" (reasonable ignorance and/or legal culpability)


AD

Good point, plus AD knows more about this than I do... Listen to him...

 

[AllanD]

Sorry meant to say If the truck is insured for collision and subsequently wrecked OR involved in a fatal accident.

Frankly If I met a cop so officious that he insisted on checking my
frame number that number matching or not would be the least of
my legal concerns because I'd probably try (and likely suceed) in
unscrewing the top of his head to shake the shit out of it.

And there's the ever so important point that anyone who cares about
a 20year old trucks numbers matching
would eat that shit out of their own head and ask for seconds.

The jist of my post is that if it isn't specifically prohibited it's legal.

However if you live in california you live under the "German" system
where anything not specifically permitted is "Verbotten, verbotten! VERBOTTEN!!!
you vill be SHOTT!

IF you live in california I have one bit of advice: MOVE.

when I first got my Sirius radio and discovered it was active
Did I call Serius, give them the serial number of the unit and asked why it was still active?

HELL NO!

The principle is "let sleeping dogs lie"

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