2nd Gen Non-Engine/Transmission stretch frame vs 4 wheel drive conversion

[THess]

I need some advice. I'm looking at buying a work truck with an 11' enclosed utility body on it. It's a 2001 or 2002 2wd Dodge cab and chassis with a 6 speed transmission. I have the truck in my sig which is a short wheelbase, but it is a 4wd. I really love the bed on the 01, but I really need 4wd. My question is would it be easier/cheaper to lengthen the frame on my truck and mount the box to it or convert the 01 to 4wd?

 

[Road Dog]

The C&C has a different frame rail width than the regular pickup which may or may not matter for the utility body. If the C&C has a solid front axle with coil spring and trailing arms then then swapping in a drive axle is probably easy (I haven't done it).



You should call up a local commercial truck builder about frame lengthening. It's nontrivial. They're often made of a high carbon steel (i. e. not mild steel) and are heat treated after forming and welding. (Welding on the structural part of a finished frame is a no no. )

 

[Mhannink]

probably easier to convert the 01, especially if it has the solid front axel which uses the same setup as the 4x4.

 

[HBarlow]

If you buy the '01 you could swap your '98 four wheel drive components into it making it a 4x4 with the C&C frame and suspension plus the work body you want. You could then put the 2wd parts back into your current 4x4. The parts exchange would require a lot of labor but maybe not a lot of new parts.

 

[GaryOwen]

I know that Sellers Mfg in Milford Indiana stretched his 02 and it cost him about $1500. He took the bed off himself or it would have been $500 more. They do a lot of them for the RV Transport drivers. I'm sure there are closer places to get it done though. You could give Roadmaster a call and see who they recommend for stretching a frame. They are in NC and install sleepers on pickups.



Roadmaster Truck Conversion and Cab Extensions, Luxurious sleeper for Pick Up Trucks

 

[THess]

We bought the tool truck. I think we're just going to see how the 2wd works for us before we try any kind of conversion. I'm going to keep my eyes open for a long wheelbase 4wd cab and chassis truck though. I don't know how many more miles this 01 has in it. It shows 344,000 but runs like a top. The mechanic that maintained it said it has always had a parasynthetic oil from Conklin run in it. I was shocked how this thing ran; no smoke on the cold start up or during the test drive. So far we're really happy with it.

 

[NIsaacs]

You will really like the 6spd. The 2wd dual rear, with a heavy utility bed get around good.



Nick