making a 2wd into a 4x4

[Tyler St.Clair]

Anyone got any ideas on what is all involved in making a 2wd truck into a 4x4? Good idea or BAD idea? Any input would be appreciated! Thank you!

Tyler

 

[460Fanatic]

It can be a rather involved process. Is your truck a manual or an automatic? In my opinion, it makes more sense to just buy a 4x4 truck.

 

[460Fanatic]

You are going to need to do several things. Here are some of them that come to my mind: First, you will need the 4x4 adapter housing for the back of the transmission (replacing the 2x4 tailshaft). Next, you will need a compatible transfer case (I believe Ford used a Borg Warner case, but I do not recall the specific models). Additionally, a front drive shaft and front 4x4 axle will be required. Your rear drive shaft will have to be shortened. Next, You will have to have some means to control the 4x4 function, either by a lever or by a switch. Also, if you have the E4OD transmission, the PCM for the 4x4 version have codes for the 4WD system. If you do not install a 4WD PCM, then you might have problems with your configuration. Lastly, there are lights on the instrument cluster which illuminate when the driver activates the 4WD system. Although perhaps not absolutely necessary, these can be helpful. These are just a few of the modifications which I can think of. There might be more.

 

[Tyler St.Clair]

Its An Automatic And It Doesnt Seem That Bad To Do From What Your Telling me.

Tyler.

 

[460Fanatic]

Which automatic do you have?

 

[Tyler St.Clair]

I want to say 3 speed automatic. The truck is a 1994 f150 5.0L 302.

 

[460Fanatic]

Look under the truck and count the pan bolts. The E4OD has 20 and the 4R70W has 14. You probably have the latter.

 

[460Fanatic]

Both of those units are four speed overdrives with locking torque converter. They both have the same shift pattern: PRN(D)21 with an overdrive cancel switch on the shift lever. The C6 three speed (which I do not believe your truck would have, although I could be wrong) has the pattern: PRND21 with no overdrive switch. The C6 has 17 pan bolts.

 

[Tyler St.Clair]

It has overdrive so I was wrong my bad.

 

[460Fanatic]

The 4R70W transmission is also computer controlled like the E4OD. The point about a 4x4 PCM would also apply to it too.

 

[Tyler St.Clair]

Okay! Thanks guys.