Susp F150 cost of converting 2x4 to 4x4??

ShadowMan

ShadowMan

Designated Grumpy Old Fart
I've got a 2004 F150 Supercab XLT 2x4 with 75K miles on it. It's a great truck with no problems....except up here in the mountains I really would prefer to have something with 4 wheel drive during the winter. Looking at the price and quality of new trucks....OMG!! I'M NOT BUYING A HOUSE!!

So I've been wondering what the cost would be to convert this two wheel drive to four wheel drive? Has anyone here done this or know of anyone doing this. It would entail adding a front differential, transfer case, modifying the transmission and front suspension and drive shafts.

Guesses, ideas, am I insane?
 
S

Sterling

Contributing Member
I'm trying to convert my 95 f250 from 2x4 to 4x4.
How much sweat equity do you want to do?
You need the whole front end, hubs, differential, axle...
Transmission with transfer case (it'll be easier and cheaper for the transmission and transfer case to come from a donor truck with the same engine, as Ford in their infinite wisdom has a non removable bellhousing on their transmissions and they're all matched to engine size)
So with all those parts you may run into an issue like I have where the front end on the 2x4 is coil spring and the 4x4 is front leaf spring... And unless you can cut the rear leaf spring holder off the donor truck as they're riveted in, no one seems to sell the bracket new... You'll be out of luck or have to get something fabricated.
So it can be done but it's better to use sweat equity, as any work done by a mechanic, transmission shop, or off road outfitter is going to cost a lot.
A friend of mine said to me when I started this project "it would have been easier to start with a 4x4 truck and then change the rest of the truck to suit your needs then it would be to convert it"
 
tech

tech

Veteran Member
May have to get the rear end also, depending on your current gear ratio...and since many are electronically shifted, wiring harnesses, pcm, dash (for the security system), smart junction box (if equipped)...
A better bet would be find a similar model 4x4 with a bad engine and swap in your good engine. Lots fewer head aches.
 
Millwright

Millwright

Knuckle Dragger
_______________
A donor vehicle is about the only practical way to do it.

Even at that, you will be undertaking a major project.

All the electronic components are what makes this a daunting task.

It ain't like "way back when", when the worst part was cutting a hole in the hump for the transfer shifter.
 
ShadowMan

ShadowMan

Designated Grumpy Old Fart
Yeah....sounds like more work and trouble than it's worth. DAMN!! Gone are the good ol' days when you could do just about anything with an automobile. Hell today you can't even change the spark plugs without an aeronautical degree and a computer center.
 
20Gauge

20Gauge

TB Fanatic
ShadowMan said:
I've got a 2004 F150 Supercab XLT 2x4 with 75K miles on it. It's a great truck with no problems....except up here in the mountains I really would prefer to have something with 4 wheel drive during the winter. Looking at the price and quality of new trucks....OMG!! I'M NOT BUYING A HOUSE!!

So I've been wondering what the cost would be to convert this two wheel drive to four wheel drive? Has anyone here done this or know of anyone doing this. It would entail adding a front differential, transfer case, modifying the transmission and front suspension and drive shafts.

Guesses, ideas, am I insane?
Click to expand...
Interesting question.

I have a basic 2x4 stick silverado. I just recently learned that I can add another battery to it as it has the same frame work as a diesel truck.

The same may apply here. You may have the framework for a 4x4 and just need to add the converter and drive shafts, plus a few odds and ends.

Most TV shows demonstrate it can be done in 45 minutes, so good luck!!!!

LOL
 
20Gauge

20Gauge

TB Fanatic
Sterling said:
I'm trying to convert my 95 f250 from 2x4 to 4x4.
How much sweat equity do you want to do?
You need the whole front end, hubs, differential, axle...
Transmission with transfer case (it'll be easier and cheaper for the transmission and transfer case to come from a donor truck with the same engine, as Ford in their infinite wisdom has a non removable bellhousing on their transmissions and they're all matched to engine size)
So with all those parts you may run into an issue like I have where the front end on the 2x4 is coil spring and the 4x4 is front leaf spring... And unless you can cut the rear leaf spring holder off the donor truck as they're riveted in, no one seems to sell the bracket new... You'll be out of luck or have to get something fabricated.
So it can be done but it's better to use sweat equity, as any work done by a mechanic, transmission shop, or off road outfitter is going to cost a lot.
A friend of mine said to me when I started this project "it would have been easier to start with a 4x4 truck and then change the rest of the truck to suit your needs then it would be to convert it"
Click to expand...
NO WAY!!!!

I have seen at least 4 Trucks episodes. They show it can be done easily in 45 minutes..... no issues at all!
 
20Gauge

20Gauge

TB Fanatic
ShadowMan said:
Yeah....sounds like more work and trouble than it's worth. DAMN!! Gone are the good ol' days when you could do just about anything with an automobile. Hell today you can't even change the spark plugs without an aeronautical degree and a computer center.
Click to expand...
He may be in some luck as it is a 2004.
 
mechanic 217

mechanic 217

I was told there would be cookies!
Contemplated doing this a few times in the past, after really looking the process over decided the only way was the same model available in 4wd but wrecked, and two weeks' vacation, not worth it in my opinion, better to find a used 4x4 IMHO.
 
S

Sterling

Contributing Member
Hey I finally got lucky on the front leaf spring brackets at a yard... Took half a day drilling and knocking the rivets out... Along with dropping the whole front end.
So it's not total unobtanium on parts... Just work and luck.
 
R

raven

TB Fanatic
I kind of believe that if you are trying to convert a 2X4 truck to a 4X4 truck that you are probably not as interested in having a 4X4 as you are an excuse for not going back in the house for a couple months.
And inquiring minds want to know . . . what on earth did you do to piss her off?
 
Griz3752

Griz3752

Retired, practising Curmudgeon
Sterling said:
I'm trying to convert my 95 f250 from 2x4 to 4x4.
How much sweat equity do you want to do?
You need the whole front end, hubs, differential, axle...
Transmission with transfer case (it'll be easier and cheaper for the transmission and transfer case to come from a donor truck with the same engine, as Ford in their infinite wisdom has a non removable bellhousing on their transmissions and they're all matched to engine size)
So with all those parts you may run into an issue like I have where the front end on the 2x4 is coil spring and the 4x4 is front leaf spring... And unless you can cut the rear leaf spring holder off the donor truck as they're riveted in, no one seems to sell the bracket new... You'll be out of luck or have to get something fabricated.
So it can be done but it's better to use sweat equity, as any work done by a mechanic, transmission shop, or off road outfitter is going to cost a lot.
A friend of mine said to me when I started this project "it would have been easier to start with a 4x4 truck and then change the rest of the truck to suit your needs then it would be to convert it"
Click to expand...
Way, way back in time I knew a couple of guys who worked Fleet Sales for a largish Ford dealer in Edmonton, AB. One of them ordered a couple or 3 F550/650 crew cabs for a Field maintenance outfit. I can't remember the whole story but they came in as 4x2 & 4x4 was required. They thought they'd just swap some parts.

The last I heard they were up to about $16-18K wholesale cost per truck and they hadn't put a wrench on anything yet. I think the trucks were about $40-odd K then (I said it was a long time ago)

Never did find out what total cost was or the end of the story as I was out of the country for a year or so.

I think the idea of dropping your current truck body onto a suitable chassis will be a lot cheaper in the long run but. ....
 
Last edited:
Nowski

Nowski

Let's Go Brandon!
This thread brings back some memories.

Lots of work, and fabrication, to modify the suspension of a truck.

In my case, it was ripping the IFS out of a first generation Chevy S10 4x4,
and installing the solid front axel and rear axle, from a 1st generation
Ford Bronco. Nearly a perfect fit. Bracket for the rear axel raise the
truck 5 inches, and the front IFS is replaced with the Bronco coil springs.

Front axel is a Dana 44, and rear axel is a Ford 9 inch. I have the Ford 9 inch,
with 4.11 gears, full locker, with 31 spline Moser axels. I got sick, and was
not able to finish up the suspension swap.

Makes for an incredible offroad beast of a truck, especially with a 383 motor.

I do not recall, if I ever saw any 2x4 S10's converted.

Good luck on getting the SFA installed.

Please be safe everyone.

Regards to all.

Nowski
 
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