Want to upgrade to 4 wheel drive

[moreorless]

Hello everyone. I have been a reader for a while but just joined today. I know that my question will probably meet some resistence in that what I want to do is probably not worth it... but... here is my scenario.

I have a 2003 Ford Ranger Edge with a 3.0 (automatic) that I love. The only mods I have done to it are the underdog pulley which I learned about on this forum, LineX to the bed and sides, underbody rust protection and I installed cruise control.

My truck originally belonged to my dad and he left it to me in his will. He really loved the truck so I want to keep it forever but I would love for it to be four wheel drive. I know nothing about what needs to be done... but between my brother and I we are pretty good mechanically.

I'm figuring the best way to accomplish the change over is to find a wrecked/totaled Ranger that has 4 wheel drive. Is what I am wanting possible/feasible? I know that with enough money... anything is possible... but is it really feasible? What year Rangers would work for this job? How good are 4wd Rangers in the snow?

Can someone give me sort of an overview what will have to be done? I am assuming... mounting the transfer case, changing the front axle and then some electronics. How much worse is my gas mileage going to be? I get about 21mpg now.

Thanks for reading my novel and for your answers in advance.

Derek

 

[Hopman]

First of all, Welcome to TRS! Feel free to grab a cold drink from the shop fridge and pull up a chair! Just watch out for the low-flying BS!

Second, I am sorry to hear about the loss of your dad.

Now down to the nuts & bolts:
What you are wanting to do IS possible, but it'll be less expensive to find a factory 4WD Ranger.

If you do want to take on the insanity of this job, I wish you the best!

 

[JohnnyO]

+1.
Converting it is possible but isn't worth the time or effort. Just trade it on a 4x4.

 

[moreorless]

+1.
Converting it is possible but isn't worth the time or effort. Just trade it on a 4x4.

Can't trade it in because of sentimental reasons.

 

[moreorless]

First of all, Welcome to TRS! Feel free to grab a cold drink from the shop fridge and pull up a chair! Just watch out for the low-flying BS!

Second, I am sorry to hear about the loss of your dad.

Now down to the nuts & bolts:
What you are wanting to do IS possible, but it'll be less expensive to find a factory 4WD Ranger.

If you do want to take on the insanity of this job, I wish you the best!

Thanks Hopman

 

[88_Eddie]

lets see, off the top of my head, you'll need

-some sort of front axle, whether it's solid or you jack the IFS from a 4x4 ranger
-suspension for the front axle, leafs would be easiest, coils would require some sort of control arms
-a new tranny that can have a t-case mounted behind it
-t-case
-gears to match your rear axle (if the one you throw under there doesnt already have the same ones)
-shocks

that's not counting materials or tools, i'd get a welder too, it'll be easier than trying to get a non-drivable truck to and from a machine shop

if you wanna keep the truck b/c it was your fathers, i'd keep it the way it is and go spend $500 on a old 4x4, throw some cash into it and drive that. here's a little scenario for you:


once you've converted it, you'll wanna lift it, then you'll wanna lift it some more, then you'll try to drive it up the side of a cliff and break an axle, so then you'll throw bigger axles under it, then more lift and 40's, then you'll wanna cut the bed off, then you're wife will divorce you b/c she thinks your cheating on her with your truck, then she'll take all your money in the divorce and you'll have to work 2 jobs to pay for court fee's and all the stuff you lost, next thing you know you'll be living in your truck, then one day you'll blow the motor in a mud bog and end up parting it out and sending the rest to the scrap yard and as you drive away after watching it get crushed you'll think, "damn it, i should never have converted it to 4 wheel drive......"

 

[exbass94]

Check out this thread:
http://www.therangerstation.com/forums/showthread.php?t=32742

This guy converted his Edge to 4wd. It should have all the info you need.

 

[azedd]

can he just take the body and bed off his
truck and put it over a 4x4 frame.

 

[cammeddrz]

can he just take the body and bed off his
truck and put it over a 4x4 frame.

that's how i'd do it

 

[feellnfroggy]

Go buy a carbed 5.0 and 5 spd, and a set of solid dana's, a divorced manual transfer case. And get to it. Oh and some wheels to fit the new axles.