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Converting a 2 x 4 into a 4 x 4


97RangerXLT

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Anderson, IN
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2020 Ford Edge Titanium
Vehicle Year
1997
Vehicle
Ford Ranger
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4WD
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4.0 V6
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2"
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Converting a 2 x 4 into a 4 x 4
I have seen many threads on converting a 2 x 4 into a 4 x 4 on TRS and I thought I could help you all out in this effort.

First , this is not as hard as it seems. You need to make sure you have the right tools and the right parts to successfully complete this job.

There is a quick way to do this, but it will not be as strong, but it will work for light applications.
The other methods take more time and more parts, but in the long run they will be superior 4 x 4’s.

Quick method: obtain two 2 x 4s of the same length and type. Make sure you cut your boards to the length you need before assembly. Menards or any Lumber yard will have what you need. Get a box of framing nails and a hammer. (don’t forget to wear eye protection, Safety First!) stack one 2 x 4 on top of the other and use the framing nails to securely fasten it together. It will help if you have someone to hold both boards together as you nail it. Place your nails ~16 inches apart. For quality construction that does not come apart easily, hammer your nails in at different angles down the length of the new 4 x 4 so that they cannot come out under pressure.

Takes longer but makes a superior 4 x 4 method: obtain two 2 x 4s of the same length and type. Make sure you cut your boards to the length you need before assembly and make sure they do not have any knots in them. Get a box of 3 inch deck screws and a good drill with matching driver bit. (again, make sure you are wearing safety goggles!) Run your screws in at an angle, and place two screws side by side and running at angles against each other every 32 inches. Flip the assembly over and do the same again every 32 inches, but 16 inches offset of the first screws. (this way you have screws every 16 inches along your assembly.

Some tips: if you want even more superior construction, use a good quality construction adhesive such as liquid nails in between your two boards to make them more secure along with your nails or screws.
If using the assembly as a horizontal piece of the construction, make sure your 4 x 4 has the 2 x 4’s standing on their edges. This will make it stronger, as the assembly will not bow as easily.

And there you have it, 2 very concise and easy methods of converting your 2 x 4 into a 4 x 4. I am glad that I can help you out in this effort.

AJ
 
Aww. I thought it was a question because i was going to give an answer similar to that...:headbang::icon_rofl:
 
I was thinking this was going to be a writeup on changing tailshafts and divorced transfer cases.


But I like this one more.
 
with all the 2x4 to 4x4 conversions... I thought that this should be bumped to the top again..

AJ
 
LULZ!

I hate regular decking and drywall screws though... seems like most all of the newer ones are made in china, snapped a bunch of them off just trying to run them into 2x4 lumber so I switched to Spax fasteners. A lot beefier of a screw and they're usually made in either Germany or the good ol USA.
 
I believe this belongs in the tech library, maybe even the mag
 
I thought something was wrong with that title. But after reading it, yep, it is correct.

:icon_rofl:, thanks for the laugh. :icon_thumby:
 
I tried your second method, I seem to be having some problems.

The screws I'm using look like this: --

The bit I have looks like this: +

What would be the best solution?

I tried hammering the bit into the screw, but it still didnt fit. Any help would be appreciated.

:D
 
SEARCH THE SITE!!!! Ahhhhhhhhhhso many people post the same thing over and over!!! AHHHHHHHHHHHH...............I'm going crazy...I pulled out to huge nose hairs and it did not hurt....hah hah hah.....weeeeee...Im' going crazy....weeeeee, weeeeeee, weeeeee all the way home....Im' going crazy.....lol

:icon_rofl::icon_rofl::icon_rofl:
 
SEARCH THE SITE!!!! Ahhhhhhhhhhso many people post the same thing over and over!!! AHHHHHHHHHHHH...............I'm going crazy...I pulled out to huge nose hairs and it did not hurt....hah hah hah.....weeeeee...Im' going crazy....weeeeee, weeeeeee, weeeeee all the way home....Im' going crazy.....lol

:icon_rofl::icon_rofl::icon_rofl:

Straycat, you been in DG's medicine cabinet?
 
I tried your second method, I seem to be having some problems.

The screws I'm using look like this: --

The bit I have looks like this: +

What would be the best solution?

I tried hammering the bit into the screw, but it still didnt fit. Any help would be appreciated.

:D

snoranger, I got you covered!

All you need to do is take your screw and tap it into where you are going to use it with a hammer until it sticks straight out, then get a dremel tool and carve the | part onto the screw! once you are done with that, you can use your + bit to drive it in properly.

AJ
 
Straycat, you been in DG's medicine cabinet?

What do you think?....somethings missing again, huh?? Yea...that's right..blame the Stray!!!! lol
 

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