2nd Gen Non-Engine/Transmission 2WD to 4WD conversion?

[ThompsonS]

Looking for the elusive 98 12V 5 speed 4WD.

I ve seen several 2WDs for less than $8K.



whats involved in the conversion, i guessing a divorced T-case and adding a dana 60 in front.



steering issues?



is the frame basically the same with proper mounting points for the 4wd suspention stuff?

 

[Bart]

Forgive me ThompsonS, but forget that folly. The frames are almost certainly different that the 2 wheeler. Weekend before last I meet with a guy out of New Mexico and we swapped complete differentials front and rear. Why? Because I wanted 4. 10s in my 98 and he wanted 3. 54s in his '97.

Now you'd think that would be a simple swap. To a certain extent it was but you wouldn't believe how much is different in one model year (much less going from 2 to 4). The front diff housings were different, the steering was different, the stabilizer bar was different, and the front steering damper was different. We spent 3 days (18 hours a day) doing this under almost ideal conditions. Mine was up on big jack stands and his was on my lift. If you want a killer vehicle and can find a '98 Quad cab (has functional back suicide doors) and a 12 valve engine. If it has a automatic, have it rebuilt by one of the two great AT companies that are around this site. Mine was rebuilt by ATS. It has a computer that can lock up the torque converter at 18 miles per hour. That's were mine has been since it was installed 4 or 5 years ago.

I drive it like a stick, except it doesn't have a clutch. I use the shift lever to control its up and down shifts. The main reason for this is that it WILL start to buck just like a manual trans when you forget to push in the clutch while coming to a stop. The trans never heats up. In heavy stop and go traffic during the dead of summer the trans gauge will get to 185* With an automatic like this you can pull anything. I do and have.

Back to your question. Some years ago, my son rear ended a Ford P. S. with his 86 GMC crew cab. He took out the d. s. front fender, and radiator support group. I picked up a 1/2 ton front clip that was the same year as the one. You'd think that would swap right over. There was a ton of mods that needed to be done there also. Best advise I can give you is don't try the 2 to 4 conversion. Buy a factory rig like you want.

 

[THenningsen]

I guess I'm as crazy as you are. I love my '02 and it has a lot of sentimental value. I couldn't afford a 4wd at the time but would love to convert it. Everyone I've ever talked to said that I shouldn't do it, but that makes me want to do it even more. The frames are different so I considered buying a frame and building a rolling chassis, then swapping the motor and body. I guess I just like the idea of the whole project. Let me know what you find out.

 

[PatrickCampbell]

Sorry I am going to be another one of those "don't even bother" guys

 

[nps]

Go ahead and do it - as long as you are a certified welder, very wealthy, and have about 6 months to tackle the job.



Otherwise you're better off buying a 4wd.

 

[ThompsonS]

If I could find a rig with a dead automatic for a screaming good price,Id get it, and swap to a 5 speed which might be easier than converting to 4WD.



Im not gonna trust some auto trans with 180K on it, anything more than 80K on a factory spec auto trans is borrowed time. Its just a $3K time bomb.

(unless its a Toyota, Ive seen 250K on yota transmissions)



my other options are to get a 24V and convert it to a 12V as I WILL NOT have another Cummins diesel with a computer,

Had my fill of that with my Freightliners, thank you very much!



And I dont want any DOdGe automatics, since my 91 Ram ate them annualy at $1870 per.



I've seen some 24 Vs at auctions for a decent price, but again they are all slushboxes.



Oh well, I will keep looking, not gonna pay retail either, $10K is max I can spend.

 

[Forrest Nearing]

my transmission's got 175k on it and it shifts great, but I also didn't/don't care as I planned a built transmission from the start... I can't imagine why anyone would buy an automatic if they WEREN'T planning at least a converter/valve body and transmission refresh.

 

[GiesJ]

I would bet that if you spent $10 K on a 2wd and then did the conversion you would be at roughly 15 kilobucks. There is a 12v 4x4 in the classifieds for about that. I have no tie to the add, point is, you can probably find a 4x4 98 in the ballpark of what you would spend on a truck and the conversion. MHO.

Good luck. The research of it all is the fun part.

 

[GiesJ]

Not that I think e-bay is the best, but here is a salvage 12V auto - http://cgi.ebay.com/ebaymotors/Dodg...19143QQitemZ4633836868QQrdZ1QQsspagenameZWDVW

for under 12k.



and a high mileage 5 speed for buy it now of 7900 - http://cgi.ebay.com/ebaymotors/Dodg...19143QQitemZ4634309232QQrdZ1QQsspagenameZWDVW



I'm not tied to these either, just that with some looking you should be able to find a good used 4x4 1998 12 v.

good luck

 

[DJWyckoff]

If you have not bouht a truck yet hold out for a 4x4 its not worth converting



if you have a doner compleat and find a two wheel 12-valve same year for practicaly nothing, facilitys, tools, skills, $, and somthing else to drive do it.



my soon to be ex wife bought my truck wile I was in afganistan but for got I wanted a 4x4. I have toied with this idea for 4 years now and I figure that I will probly buy a 1st gen 4x4 for wheeling and winter driving and save my southern 2 wheeler for summer/on road only/towing etc. for it will save in some ways and not in others. I am planing to start a moble welding/diesel repair businuess with my curent tool and an enclosed custom trailer.



good



two CTD powered trucks to run on bio for less $

pull the 1st gen break it still have a truck to get to work.

drag the 2nd gen ''

bomb two trucks



bad



spend $ on two trucks (may write off 1st gen as work truck for shop)

not knowing witch truck to take

bomb two trucks



if I find a 1st gen cheap I would like to p-pump it put the 300s on it and put towing twins on my 96. what big dreams!

 

[ThompsonS]

Not that I think e-bay is the best, but here is a salvage 12V auto - http://cgi.ebay.com/ebaymotors/Dodg...19143QQitemZ4633836868QQrdZ1QQsspagenameZWDVW

for under 12k.



and a high mileage 5 speed for buy it now of 7900 - http://cgi.ebay.com/ebaymotors/Dodg...19143QQitemZ4634309232QQrdZ1QQsspagenameZWDVW



I'm not tied to these either, just that with some looking you should be able to find a good used 4x4 1998 12 v.

good luck

I saw both of those, if the blue, salvage titled one had been a short bed 5 speed, I would have have bid on it.





Ive passed up several automatics, or 24 valve 4Wds that were under $8K, should have bought them to re-sell for a profit.



I accuired a 95 Toyota 4Runner with a bad head gasket for $500, and a friend has a VW TDI engine in his shop,





If a 6000 lb Ram with a 6 Litre turbo diesel gets 20-22 on the hwy, a 4000 lb Toyota with a 2 litre turbo diesel should get 30+ easy.



I did a little googling and found that many people use a modified Cummins 4BT pump to run the VW TDI without all the electronic junk.



This might cure my diesel madness till I find the perfect 1998 Ram.



Plus the most important part of the engine would be a Cummins!

 

[KennethS]

This might work and save you money

Go and see a bug doctor and maybe he can help you get your mind straighten up a bit. A few weeks In a straight jacket might help?I know I am playing with your mind but I think you are playing with ours also.

 

[ThompsonS]

Go and see a bug doctor and maybe he can help you get your mind straighten up a bit. A few weeks In a straight jacket might help?I know I am playing with your mind but I think you are playing with ours also.

Nope, just too doggone cheap, umm , I mean frugal, to pay full retail for the truck.

 

[dodgeguy44]

I would like to go the other way... ... ..... 4X4 to 2wd. Don't know if it's possible but I think I'll look into it. Unless I can find a really good 98 3500 2wd to trade.