conversion? help....?

[4x4junkie89]

my uncle passed down his 1990 ranger 2wd to me yesterday, great truck but its 2wd which = not offroad capable i was wondering if converting it to 4wd would be hard and if anyone has done it. i would hate to get rid of it as it would probably hurt his feelings. would 4x4 components bolt right into it? axle,t-case,trans,driveshaft?? any help would be great, want to get started on this project already

 

[colby450xc]

2wd does not equal non off road capable my friend. Get a locker for the back end, some good tires and a small lift WITH PROPER SHOCKS and you are set. 2wd means cheaper offroad unless you're a redneck stuck on driving through mud holes for shits and giggles.

 

[4x4junkie89]

4x4 is just my thing i guess, besides where i live there are steeeep hills that 2wd cant make it up. im not saying that 2wds are not capable they just arnt capable enough for me

 

[rockin86ranger]

youre gonna need a 4x4 front crossmember which requires lifting the engine, you need a 4x4 trans tailshaft, then the complete front suspension and axle, front driveshaft, transfer case, rear drive shaft, and possibly regear the axles.
if you want to go with a stocker type ranger

or

sas which is pretty much the way to go

 

[mp3deviant721]

Best way would to be SAS. Cutting up a 4x4 for its crossmember is just kinda wrong. Unless you could find one in a junkyard with a good crossmember.

 

[pontiacfieroguy]

2wd does not equal non off road capable my friend. Get a locker for the back end, some good tires and a small lift WITH PROPER SHOCKS and you are set. 2wd means cheaper offroad unless you're a redneck stuck on driving through mud holes for shits and giggles.

how capable are you talking? driving over small ruts or you talking decent trail ridin?

 

[4x4junkie89]

why does the engine need to be lifted? if i get all the components off a 4x4 i think i could fab up a crossmember and mounts for the t-case. also would all the suspension parts off a 4x4 bolt into the same mounts for the shocks and coils?? im getting a 6in skyjacker lift to so it will be put all together at the same time. im not afraid of having to fab custom parts to make this work if i need to

 

[Sunk]

You'll need to cut the cross-member that the pivot brackets bolt to and the engine sits on out of the 4x4 and weld it into the 4x2 truck. The pivot brackets are different and in different positions on the 4x2.

As said, a solid axle swap would be easier.

 

[4x4junkie89]

if i do a solid front axle i wont have to deal with all that crossmember crap right?? but then what about all the steering stuff? that seems like it would be the hard part

 

[Sunk]

If you lift it high enough to clear the cross-member you'll be fine. Take a look through the forum and see what other members have done on the solid axle rigs. There is a lot of information on this site, so take a look around and figure out what you want.

 

[nate09]

read through this thread, should give you plenty of info
http://therangerstation.com/forums/showthread.php?t=57537

 

[feellnfroggy]

keep in mind while your hills up there require 4x4 even with a factory 4x4 its still most of the time 2x4 one wheel in the front and one wheel in the rear, unless that particular truck has limited slip or lockers. A 2wd with the proper weights and a locker (or welded diff) will get you where you need to go.