Micaiahfied

I've thrown this idea out in the chat section a few times. I have a 2wd truck, my grandfather bought it new, so i know every mile that has been put on it (only 118k) i've customized the seats and am now looking at getting it painted. I really don't want to dump a ton of money to mod it if i can't drive it off the pavement with a little confidence. I've considered locking rear diff... but why drop $700 on the truck if i still wouldn't have that confidence. I love this truck enough to put money into it, what's it gonna take?

shopping list... (guessing)
Tranny + linkage, driveshafts, axle.... what else? and are there any pieces welded to the frame or should i be able to "bolt" most of it up?

apwatson50

I converted an old 2WD bronco II, didn't know they made any, to a 4WD using all stock parts and it was all bolt on, I mean all. So if the frames are identical between the 2wd and 4wd than yes you should just beable to bolt everything on. You may need a grinder to get the spring hangers off the 4wd cause there riveted to the frame.

andyr354

It is possible, will take some time and a decent amount of money.

Front axle will run you the most unless you get lucky. D60s alot of times go for $1000+ for a good ready to roll unit.

Springs, I would buy some new ones from Skyjacker for $300

Good 205 tcase I would guess $250 or so.

You will need a different ouput shaft for your trans. Have to take it appart to change it. If you can do it on your own won't be to much cost there.

My guess is you will need to put asside $2k+ for the swap, like I said unless you get lucky and find a D60 for cheap.

mainer

Why dont you find a nice quad cab, like in your Gallery, And just do a motor swap? It would be easier to do. And IMO you would end up with alot better truck.

Just an Idea.

Coop

bgilbert

I suggest if you want a 4wd, buy one. Unless its a 85 crew cab 2wd you are converting to a Cummins, then maybe, but anything else, just buy another truck.

drew03

it seems like it would be more trouble then its worth.

Mcmopar

The frame is the same, you will have to remove some 2wd stuff and bolt on 4X4 stuff. I have a Dana 60F, but I am not sure I want to sell it-getting really tough to find these days. If you find one for 1000 jump on it. The last one I saw sold for 2500.

cjperry

I have been helping my father with the same conversion on my grandfathers 2wd pickup. We were in teh same boat as you, a perfect 2wd, 6 cylinder 1979 truck with only 58,000 miles. Unfortunately, it didn't suit my father's needs. It will take you a lot more money and time than you think. The big stuff is easy to account for, but there are a ton of small parts that are required for the conversion. We bought a junker and swapped the entire drivetrain over, but we still had to replace many of the parts since they were 20 years old. If we started over we would try to find a donor truck in better shape, since we ended up having to rebuild or replace everything we swapped over.