3rd gen rwd to 4x4?

It’s a totally doable project on 1st and I think 2nd gen trucks. If I recall 3rd gen’s are just 2nd gen’s with a “better” drivetrain, so the biggest challenge is probably sourcing parts and dealing with computer. If you don’t care about resale, could be a fun project.

 

All else equal, I'd drop several grand at the drop of a hat, to have the second gen drivetrain in my truck. Maybe more if you caught me on payday..

 

Posts asking how to convert 2WDs to 4x4 have been common on pickup truck forums for decades. I'm sure OP is real, however I agree, there's almost never a good reason to do this, especially on something less than 5 years old. Much easier to sell and use that $$$ (plus a little additional) to buy a 4x4.

 

OP/bot never returned,, you win!

 

Buy a wrecked 4x4 and then swap it.

 

I’d find wrecked donor 4x4. Well…I wouldn’t do it at all but if I felt I HAD to, I’d want a donor for all the misc parts you’re not even thinking about.

 

wow! nobody here must be fun at parties. I feel the same as you, OP. I've done all the research and it is possible. I've estimated price between 5k to 7k by buying good used parts. the problem that im still trying to figure out is if everything can be plug and play or if all the computers would have to be reprogrammed. and that's what I still cant figure out. a 4x4 module can be installed with the existing wiring that is already located in the truck, but I don't know if its as easy as plug and play.

 

Not fun at parties or just giving realistic and honest answers? It's absolutely doable, no one said it wasn't, it's just a terrible idea if you care about what you spend money on and the end value of what you just spend hours of labor working on. Doing this swap on a three year old truck in good condition is guaranteed to decrease the value of the truck. Start with a $25k truck, spend $3k on it and end up with a $15k truck.

 

Can’t believe people are still commenting on this. The OP is a bot or troll. He/it made 1 post , signed off after the post and has not signed back on TW since September 18. He’s probably moved on to hundreds of other sites posting stupid shit like his stupid shit post here.

 

I wouldn't attempt it, but more power to anyone who willing to give it a try!!!
This is exactly why I picked an Off Road to my exact specifications.

 

Would this be an option to consider if you were planning to solid axle swap the truck anyways? I am wanting to sas a 3rd gen here soon, but i have neither the parts nor the vehicle im gonna sad yet. wondering if buying a 2wd for the sas might save some money for other areas?

 

Is it Friday already?

 

I wish lol. Just being stupid asking stupid questions. Still hoping to get an answer if I can lol

 

Bottom line is that it will cost you more than trading, and you will end up with a vehicle that is worth less due to the mismatch between the VIN and the 4WD.

 

Only worth as a DIY project.

 

It's the go "buy a 4x4 truck instead" mod!

 

I made a DIY Baby Killdozer. Cost: a $3 thrift store Bruder + paint, hot glue, and some old foam poster board.

Worth it.

 

Nice

 

Back before, the days of electronics I took the 6cyl, 3ontree out of my 71 NOVA put in a 307 V8, the 4sp. transmission out of a Vega (swapped bell housing) and used the driveshaft out of the 307 donor, think I also, may of changed the tail shaft. Probably, increased the value by a couple hundred amongst friends !

 

Nice. I had a buddy with a V8 stuffed into his Vega back in the late 70s