Converting from 2wd to 4wd

[CheyenneFordgirl]

I know I have heard of everything. "Go buy a new X with 4wd" "Dont even try to convert it" I know all of those things. I've been doing some research and i really what to do it. But I want to know how much it would cost me. I am a high school students so my money is limited. I have an 06X

 

[transman304]

If you had a donor vehicle with all the parts required probably not much more than time. How much do you want to pay for a donor with all parts and in working condition? Dollar amount will be hard to nail down as I find it hard to believe someone has done this. Maybe someone else will chime in. Your "limited funds" are just the beginning.

 

[CheyenneFordgirl]

If you had a donor vehicle with all the parts required probably not much more than time. How much do you want to pay for a donor with all parts and in working condition? Dollar amount will be hard to nail down as I find it hard to believe someone has done this. Maybe someone else will chime in. Your "limited funds" are just the beginning.

If I have to have a donor X I would only spend 2000 on it.

 

[colintrax]

If you have $2,000 for a donor vehicle then go for it. Pick up an x with a bad engine, or was in a wreck. You need the transmission and everything back.
It's gonna be a good deal of work if you want to use the electric transfer case, with working AWD.

 

[engineeering]

Done LOTS of work on my 06X and have now learned a thing or two about the wiring/PCM control and some options available. (just finished a 5speed manual swap in mine)

At minimum.... in addition to swapping the transmission (one with a 4x4 compatible tail housing on it), you will need AT LEAST the following (from the AWD/4x4 model):

1) the PCM
2) 4x4 module
3) likely totally different wiring harnesses so get that too
4) the dash controls/buttons and any other wiring/buttons etc (maybe the plastic cover assembly for the radio/ac controls)
5) 4x4 tcase (need transfer case motor as well). Check that the frame mounts are the same... might need those too
6) front driveshaft
7) front differential, axles, .... and not sure what else here. Hopefully the control arms are the same and you do not need to change random stuff like that....


In all honesty... if you can buy a "wreck"... I've rebuilt a few trucks (salvage trucks) and it might be easier to use your truck as the doner and swap all the panels/etc that are smashed on the "wrecked 4x4. LOL.

On the other hand... if you wanted to swap a manual into it... that would be a breeze for you since you have no 4x4 Not what you want but I was just thinking about how that 4x4 is SUCH a pain in the ass..... here's a few other things to think about....

...Vehicle speed sensors. The new one might be different. Check that cause your speed could be halfed on your speedo. You may need professional tuner software to adjust.

...AdvanceTrac traction control. Since you need the new PCM to operate the new tcase you also need to make sure you have the same ABS system and transmission/engine control signals (all part of the traction system).

...the fun is just beginning...

I'm a believer that you can totally pull this off. Just expect your truck to be on blocks for ~4 months while you work through all the details (research, part sourcing, etc). Just not sure if the effort warrants the reward.


EDIT. It may actually be easier to do a manual swap at the same time.... then do a MANUAL t-case. If you have advanceTrac... just turn it off in the tune (not free). Only thing is with open diffs front and rear ... if you slip it will spin freely... so you could swap TrueTRAC or Torsen LSD into the diffs and you would have a pretty sick setup I would probably not get started on any of this unless you had around $2-4 k to get started and LOTS of time on your hands WITHOUT the vehicle.... I bought a honda civic and have been driving it off and on whenever my EX is on blocks

 

[MotorCityFats13]

no more than say 10 grand... go for it and make it work.... might want to buy a wrecked 4wd and swap pretty much everything over... including wire looms, engine, trans, computer and other control gizmos and total suspension.... you can keep your frame and body

 

[SoCal2V]

^ Pretty much, lol.

Hate to say it but some things really aren't worth doing. This is probably one of them. I imagine it would be much more doable on a Gen1 or 2 Explorer, primarily due to the lack of PCM involvement in various functions vs that of these trucks.

 

[Dag06XLT]

Waaaay too much electronics integrated into the AdvanceTrac system to make it work without errors and without the cost being more than the difference of sell your/buy a 4WD version. Of course anything can be done if you're looking for a project with no budget.

 

[NickSantagataa]

Easiest way is get some good tires to make up for 4wd cheaper and easier , trust me you'd be way in over your head on this , talk about not being able to use your ex for awhile also

 

[Explorer_PL]

...and then chasing all the errors and lights on your dashboard, and not passing the inspection. Mechanically you can swap parts, install front differential and CV axles, maybe you can reuse your tranny, if the tail is removable and just attach the TC.

Electronics is a headache....