2 wheel drive to 4 wheel drive?

[84 chevy guy id]

I been looking for a 4x4 80's crew cab to do a cummins swap in. I found a nice 2 wheel drive truck for a good price, setup just the way I wanted. Has anybody made a 4x4 out of a 2 wheel drive? I want to lift it 4 inches  and swap in some different axles with 3.50's gear ratios so all the suspension will have to be swapped out anyway. I am thinking it might be as easy as swapping the front spring brackets?

Mike

[winky]

not sure about yours but on a 90 model you pretty much have to cut the front part of the frame off and weld the front of a 4x4 frame in to make it work...

[thirsty]

There are quite a few threads on this. We discuss it often.
Yes you can convert it over but it is not just the spring hangers that are different.
Putting a 2wd body on a frame that is already 4wd is the easiest way.

If you can't find any of the threads let me know and I can dig a few up for you. Then if you have more questions still we will help you out.

[Blazin]

If you do decide to go the route of swapping axles into your frame you will need the rear spring hangers from a 4x4 as well. They are taller than the 2 wheel drive hangers.

Personally if I were going to swap a front axle into a 2 wheel drive frame I would retain the coil springs. Fabricate brackets for the frame, and axle and either use early to mid 70s F150 radius arms, or fabricate a pair.

Or you could do a 4 link set up.

[bake74]

      Thirsty and blazin are correct, most parts will bolt right in to a 2wd frame, but it would be much easier if you get a parts truck (4wd) to take everything off of and see where it all goes.  I would suggest a 1 ton if you are doing a diesel swap for the suspension.
     Though if it was me, I would go with Blazin and set up a 4-link system for the front and back if I planned on wheeling it.  If it was going to be a mainly street vehicle, I would go with the bolt in suspension for ease and replacement parts availability.

[Irish_Alley]

or just take your stuff off your 4x2 (cab and bed) and put it on the 4x4. something else before you decide what gears you want think about how you will drive it and what transmission you want

[84 chevy guy id]

The problem with just swapping the crew cab over to a 4x4 frame is the frame isnt going to be long enough. Apparently a crew cab has a 1 ton frame under it anyway so it should be a good heavy frame. I have the 4x4 brackets to put on the frame already. I want to do a 2 or 3 inch lift so I need to buy different springs anyway. I am going to use a 4l80e with the driver side t case and so I need to find a front diff with the driver side pumpkin, that way I have lots of room on the pass side for the exhaust pipe. I guess 94 and up dodges have the pumpkin on the driver side but they dont have locking hubs so the front end and front driveline is turning all the time whether in 4 or 2 wheel drive. I want locking hubs so nothing is turning up front in 2 wd so I think I need a 70's dana 60 out of a ford. I am not familiar with fords at all so I need to do a little research there. Also want a 3.50's gear ratio for better fuel economy. Does anybody know what front axle might work good for me?

[Blazin]

The Ford Dana 60 front end is pretty much the same thing. Most Ford 60s were high pinion units.

[Jason S]

For around $1,200 - $1,500 you can get a lockout kit to fit the newer Dodge front axles.

[Irish_Alley]

meant to swap it onto a 4x4 crew cab. my buddy has been working on making a 4x2 crew into a 4x4 crew. he ran into one problem with using some brackets. i'll ask him what it was, might save you sometime

[84 chevy guy id]

 Thanks for the replys and ideas guys! I have learned I need to find some late 80's to mid 90's f-350 axles for my swap, I want to keep the 93 tcase with the driver side drop so I have plenty of room for the exhaust pipe on the pass side. I already have a 4x4 chevy for brackets and such. Another idea I had was swapping the crew cab/short box onto my 93 frame (extended cab long box), anybody heard of someone doing that swap? I am not going to be doing alot of off roading with the truck more of a dd/tow the 4 wheelers to the mountains type of usage. I think the 93 would have a nicer ride in that respect. What do you all think?

Mike

[Blazin]

I think anything is possible. The sky is the limit, providing your pockets are deep enough, and or you have the talent to design  fabricate what you need.