Call me stupid if you have to.

[pocket-rocket]

I want a 4wd truck. Who doesn't? For me, money to drop into a new vehicle isn't so easy. When I got my Ranger I was all dead set on doing the hard work to make my 2wd a 4wd (I know, I can see your eyes rolling already), including replacing the engine cross member. Lately I've been thinking (yes, it did indeed hurt), how hard would it be to SAS a 2wd to make it 4wd? I mean, the cross member isn't even used in SAS trucks from what I've seen, so swapping out a 2wd member for a 4wd member wouldn't even be an issue, would it? Also, for those that have gone SAS, how much has steering and handling suffered from going from TTB to a SA? Like I said in the title, call me stupid if you have to.

 

[Ranger Sport Honduras]

im in the same situation man.
i was debating between swapping to the 8.8 axle, regearing, and locking it. or gettin a 4.0 4x4
i really like my truck, but im not sure about the 2.5 giving all the power i may need when dificult terrain kicks in, i think i better go with "over power" even if i dont ever need it than needing it and not having. besides theres always a point where u need 4x4 yes or yes.

 

[lil_Blue_Ford]

IMHO, it's cheaper and easier to pick up a beater Bronco II or Explorer and go from there. A lot less work than converting a Ranger into a 4x4. Then you have an off-road toy and you still have your good truck to get you to an from work/school should you break anything on your 4x4 playing and not have a chance to fix it.

From what I understand, SAS swaps take a bit of fab work. Probably more than swapping the engine crossmember and all the other conversion stuff... because you still have to swap out your trans, put in a t-case and get driveshafts done in addition to rigging up the new front suspension and trying to get the ride height set right.