could i convert a 2x4 to a 4x4?

[4x4Haze]

ive got an 84 with front and rear lockers, dual transfercase, chevy leafs, and my tires, but the the truck was built poorly, the motor is just about shot and the interior of the cab is all rusted and torn apart. i dont have a lot of money for a 2nd generation 4x4 and the 2x4 is cheaper. would it be a waste of my time and money to convert it with the parts i have? im not sure what to do here any suggestions would help thanks

[MiniSimp]

Like this:





No, you can't, don't even try it.

[jimbo74]

yes you could convert it..... its pretty easy really, jsut need to fab up some tranny/tcase mounts, driveshafts, and pretty much SAS the front suspension..... oyu may run into wiring issues, but if you keep the motor from the 2wd, there shouldnt be much problem... also will need to convertthe oil pan to the 4wd one

[Hyena]

you don't have to convert it to the 4x4 oil pan, i am running a a 2wd 22re in mine with the stock oil pan.  it will hold about 4.5 qts total instead of the 4.9.  shouldn't hurt.  mines fine after plenty of rolls.

[86bobbedtoy]

DO IT. easy as hel=

[Rocksurfer]

Should be an easy swap, about the only thing missing on an SAS would be the trans/tcase. The 2wd will be spring under but you'll be swapping that out too.

[86bobbedtoy]

you can also use the 2wd rear u bolts for a u bolt flip kit on the 4wd axle.

[4x4Haze]

YES!! i love the feedback ill definately be doing a SAS i have the axels and i think the drive shafts might work off the truck i have now, that would be nice. And what knid of wiring issues could i possibly run into i dont plan on changing the motor or anything, and would the t-case and all that work if i took my 84 or would it not all match up?

[alwayzbroken]

And what knid of wiring issues could i possibly run into i dont plan on changing the motor

He said if you don't change the motor you won't have any issues.

[4x4Haze]

ahh got ya sorry

[jimbo74]

you don't have to convert it to the 4x4 oil pan, i am running a a 2wd 22re in mine with the stock oil pan.  it will hold about 4.5 qts total instead of the 4.9.  shouldn't hurt.  mines fine after plenty of rolls.

i thought you had to change the oil pan unless running hysteer with lift because otherwise the clearance isnt in the right place.... thats what i was told way back when... and the reason i got an oil pan to put my 22r 2wd engine into my 4x4

[86bobbedtoy]

No wiring except  4wd trans will have the 4wd indicator light plug, And use the pressure plate and flywheel off the 4wd, and hopefully just put in a new clutch since your in there. Be sure to post pics along the way.. good luck

[jimbo74]

No wiring except  4wd trans will have the 4wd indicator light plug, And use the pressure plate and flywheel off the 4wd, and hopefully just put in a new clutch since your in there. Be sure to post pics along the way.. good luck

i dont think the flywheel or pressure plate matters..... i ran the marlin 1600 conventional in my 4x2 behind my 22r on my w55

[4x4Haze]

ill definately be using the hi steer, and im still lookin for a truck cheap enough caue i gotta go to the rubican this summer, i worked on the last truck for over a year and it dies just before the sumer go fugure. ill definately post pictures as soon as i figure out how

[Hyena]

i thought you had to change the oil pan unless running hysteer with lift because otherwise the clearance isnt in the right place.... thats what i was told way back when... and the reason i got an oil pan to put my 22r 2wd engine into my 4x4

i don't know, mine was out of a 92 2wd and i didn't change the oil pan.  it clears the highsteer but is a little close to the ram.

[jimbo74]

i forget who it was on here, but they said i had to put a 4x4 oil pan on my 85 22r 2wd engine to get it into my 84 4x4

[4x4Haze]

i was thinking of going with a limited slip in the front diff. does that work or is it a bad idea compared to other lockers out there

[jimbo74]

depends on how crazy you get... a limited slip is definately better than an open diff. but if  you have a wheel in the air, wont do anything, whereas a locker, will

[Hyena]

i have never seen a limited slip actually limit slip.

[jimbo74]

i had the ford lim slip in my old explorer, and in low range on the street i was able to roast both of my 31s

[kneedownnate]

Yes, it's very easy to convert a 2x4 into a 4x4.  You just take two 2x4's, nail em together and voila, you have a 4x4

Sorry, somebody had to say it!  Yup, my 81 4x2 will hopefully be converted to 4x4 this spring. 

[dieselsmoke]

when it comes to lockers.... E lockers rule.... got my 4.88's and pinion spacers ready to go for both ends.... still lookin for a hp.... my 86 was a 4x2 rears up front
the r transmission is the trans to get

[4x4Haze]

so another question on my search for a truck, automatic or manual? ive always had a manual but ive heard an automatic is better n the trails??

[4x4Haze]

and where can i find a good e-locker? ive heard of guys taking them out of newer toyotas and tranfering them into the older housings? but i dont know how to do all that? is there something simple cause its definately something im interested in doing 

[dieselsmoke]

i got mine on e bay with gears kits and the solid pinion spacers I will have 1300 in the pair

[jimbo74]

i have heard that the autos can be a good thing and a bad thing, they maximize torque multiplication, however provide no engine braking at slow speeds liek a manual would....

[Hyena]

don't go auto, you will have trouble with it popping out of low.  no engine breaking.  and they can slip.

[86bobbedtoy]

go manual better overall performance,

[4x4Haze]

right now i have chevy leafs front and rear, with this build im going to be buying the 5" sas kit from marlin so could i keep the chevys in the rear or would that be to much of a difference in the amount of flex i have?  or what kind of springs should i use, i of course want as muc flex as possible

[Rocksurfer]

My 80 had Auburn Limiteds pretty much went anyhere I pointed it at.