is it possible, and cost effective to add 4WD to a RWD truck?

 

Dude you need to just search the forums. The questions have already been answered a ton.

https://www.ranger-forums.com/f82/04...2wd-4wd-44350/
https://www.ranger-forums.com/f36/tu...to-4wd-109874/
https://www.ranger-forums.com/f111/0...ersion-107808/


And its possible and most likely not cost effective. It'd be easier to just buy an old 4wd ranger as an offroad vehicle.

 

Unless you find a very, very cheap donor vehicle and do the work yourself I'd say it's definitely not cost effective!

 

That was my intent, find someone else's that they trashed the body of and can't sell for more than like 500 bucks and then spend the time my self to do it. I am the only one i really trust to do a good job. i have also heard that it can be really glitchy... thoughts?

 

If i were you, i would just keep my eyes open for a 4x4 ranger. I mean unless your building some sort of SAS monster, i wouldn't see the point. but hey, thats not to say you cant do it, its your truck!

 

sas?

 

sas=solid axle swap up front

 

oh, i do want to have 4WD but i need to add that too

 

yeah i read a few of your threads, if you want 4wd just do a sas and make it 4wd while you are doin that,plus with a sas you can lift it more than 8-10in

 

x2. Its really the only way i see converting a 2wd truck to a 4x4 truck being worth it. but thats just me.

 

another point worthy of bringing up, is this your daily driver? if so you might want to think about this twice. if not, it wont be such a worry. regardless of going to a ttb style 4x4 or a SAS 4x4, the transformation will most likely be a bit more in-depth than just an overnight er, which might have a bit of a strain if you have to use the truck to get back and forth to work and what not.

 

well, i dont want it to be a beast or anything like that, i would like it to have some more clearance, and the ability to hit bumps better, i usually stay on trails and degraded dirt roads, but would like the ability to make water crossings of 12-18 ins and have some fun in sand

 

I DON'T want this...

Or even this...

but i like this

or alittle lower

 

a daily driver, with some good capabilities

 

Is this the 1994 xlt in your sig? if so why not do a pre-runner type suspension, and keep it 2wd? You can add a locker and gain a bunch more traction for off road use.

check out this vid:YouTube - 2WD Ford Ranger Hill Climb
Guy is even running an 94 ranger, and that is pretty impressive on a power line.

then just re-gear (your one axle which is cheaper than on two axles) for larger tires and do a pre-runner setup. That setup will probably do everything you are looking to do.

 

From your other thread you want to romp through the dunes, that type of thing. A SAS will NOT be good for that.

 

Check out this ride, its a 94 buildup of a pre-runner ranger.
http://www.cardomain.com/ride/2879150

 

agreed, that would be a good way to destroy the truck and yourself in the process..lol

 

i have thought of that before, maybe get a limited slip with e lockers and just keep it 2 wheel... BTW that youtube truck was my exact model and color :P and i guess that i just get REALLY tired of getting stuck in the snow where i live, but i am open... just lockers would fix that i guess.

I am glad i post this stuff, i get to think it out

 

Heck ya man! thats what forums are all about! bounce the ideas around. there are a bunch of ways to get a bit more out of your truck. I live in an area where we get a healthy dose of snow, and i will tell you what, having a limited slip with a couple hundred pounds in the bed, i hardly ever use 4x4 (usually on days i shouldn't be going out anyhow lol)

 

i don't want to do big jumps or anything, just rough dirt roads, some uneven trails

 

yeah, and m/t tires with studs would help, and i like doing things min places i shouldnt too, like Forrest service roads in snow, can i keep the independent front and still add 4wd?

 

Then i would probably look into getting a 3-4" lift for your truck and a limited slip or lock-rite in the rear of your truck. If you run some 31's on top of all of that, i think you will be pleasantly surprised. just my .02

 

well you guys's opinions mean alot, other ways i wouldnt ask

what's lock rite?

 

Lock right, or powertrax lock right is the locker from the youtube video i posted. they are awesome for automatics, and not so great for stick shifts. If you are a stick shift, a couple rides to local junk yards could turn up a 7.5" or 8.8" rear end with the stock limited slip already installed for the tune of $200 or less in most cases. the nice part about picking up the axle is that while it is out you can easily put in a better set of gears and get it all painted up and set up for your truck, and then install it.

here is the linky:
http://www.powertrax.com/powertrax/noslip.html