93 Ranger 2wd to 4wd Conversion

[drummerduker]

I have a 93 ranger 3.0 2wd automatic trans that I would like to convert to a 5spd manual and 4x4. I've done a lot of research on this already. I done a few auto to manual swaps in other vehicles. I realize that most recommend the SAS conversion, but I have no welding experience and a slightly limited budget so I can't go hog wild. I also have read a little bit about the cross member needing welding but even if I go that route this truck will never see offroad most likely, just wanna not spin the back end! Also not to mention the only reasons I am considering this are simple and few: 1) I just moved to a house on a hill, not gonna make it up in the snow very well. 2) A local salvage yard has another 93 3.0 Ranger 4wd complete w/good 4x4 system and a good 5spd manual that I can pick up for cheap and have all the needed parts, only flaw of the junkyard truck is that the interior has been picked apart, some body parts are missing, and the engine is bad.

So I've searched a lot but haven't seen any build ups relating directly to the conversion I want to attempt, does anyone know of a good thread I can check out that would be almost this exact swap?

Would anyone recommend just using the 4x4 body and frame, just swapping in the good motor and the interior from my 2wd truck? Will ANY welding be necessary on the 2wd frame? What would be best in this situation? Not even sure if I'll even have a good title on the junkyard truck...

I thank anyone in advance who can post some helpful tips or links to this thread. I will reward all efforts in the end with a cool build thread detailing what I did to make my 2wd to 4wd conversion possible on my 93 3.0 which will includes many pictures and text!

BTW - if this is posted in the wrong section can someone please correct my mistake and move it to a proper section? thanks!

 

[scotts90ranger]

swap the 4x4 frame onto the 4x2 body, that's what I did, if it's a manual transfer case it should be mostly a bolt in affair, the pedal pivot thing needs to be changed on the auto to manual swap but if you have both next to eachother then it shouldn't be too bad. If you just swap bodies and both trucks are the same setup (both regular cab or extended cab and both the same bed length) then there's no fabrication or welding.

 

[bobbywalter]

your engine and interior into the 4x4.

 

[drummerduker]

Exactly the answer I was looking for thanks! And yes both are regular cab flareside splash's so thats a huge plus! Any problems getting it licensed in your state after swapping the body and frame?

 

[drummerduker]

your engine and interior into the 4x4.

Totally considered this first, its too obvious. But I'm worried about not having a title on the junkyard truck

 

[scotts90ranger]

Oregon doesn't have any type of physical inspection where they would know the difference, as far as my insurance knows it's still 4x2...

In some areas you can go to the DMV and add the second VIN to the title if you explain what is going on, might be worth looking into

 

[Mikeyc62]

n/a

 

[Mikeyc62]

n/a