Cost of doing a 2WD conversion

[Hartman]

I'm just trying to get an idea of what it would take to convert my 4WD to a 2WD. I know there are quite a few parts that would need to be swapped out up front, but I don't really know exactly what. Some of you know the IFS suspension in a 2WD a lot better than I do. I also would like to know the approximate cost of doing this, and what kind of wiring would be involved.

Someone shed some light on this for me, so I know if it's worth undertaking.

 

[Robb]

Derek,
Out of curiousity, why? To lower more.........or weight.......or better MPG? I would think that the 4WD would help out, even in the few times you may actually need it.
Just wondering,
Robb

 

[Hartman]

I've been thinking about going lower...

 

[Robb]

Gotcha! Thanks!

Robb

 

[james t]

check with 98FordX24 on what he wired a switch into to disconnect the front to have true 2WD. i would imagine, you could do this, only instead of wiring in a switch, just disconnect it permenantly. then, you could just leave it all alone, and there would never be any power to the front shafts. as long as they are not getting any power, they will "freewheel", and shouldnt have the binding problem you are worried about.

also, watch what Yomie is doing with the lowered ranger control arms. if they work, then a good alignment will be possible with 3-5" of drop. if this works for him, im gonna order some and ditch the torsion bars and weld on some mounts to run coilovers.

 

[Hartman]

If there was a way to disable it, that would work I guess.

 

[section525]

Hartman, from what I can tell the only real difference in the 2WD and 4WD front suspensions is the spindles. I think everything else is exactly the same. So once you take your tcase, front diff, and half shafts out, you'd only need to change to 2WD spindles.

 

[Yomie]

Hey D, thats what i'm doing, the upper/lower control arms are the same, you need to change out the spindles, and i'm looking to see if the brake calipers will work. once i change out the spindles i will remove the driveshaft. then i will just remove the Diff. once all that is done, i am going to leave the t-case untill the V8 goes in

I'm actually debating if I really need to, as low as i'm sitting right now, i'm not having any binding probs, i'll keep you updated.

hey Are we stilll going to meet up in Feb?

 

[X24]

James, the thing I did only works when you have auto 4x4, 4x4 high and 4x4 lo. Hartman already has 2wd, auto 4x4 and 4x4 lo. I dont have the option of just 2wd (stock that is )

 

[james t]

oh...... okay.... i cant keep up with these friggin' explorer's 4x4 systems...WTF? there are like 4 different versions.... why didnt they just make a friggin' 2WD and a 4WD? (4WD with selectable 2HI, 4HI, and 4LOW the way God intended.)

 

[X24]

Because of the stupid people, james. Having a 4x4 system like the auto 4x4 is better for the stupid people.

 

[james t]

oh, im not saying that the auto4x4 or the AWD wouldnt be nice... but dammitt.... no 2wd at all??? you have to wire up a switch to get true 2wd??? thats just stupid...

and you couldnt get a V8 4x4... that one takes the cake. obviously i dont want true 4x4 on my X; thats what i have the 75 bronco for... but i know alot of offroad guys here that would kill for a V8 and low range... it just makes no sense.

 

[X24]

Ford probably couldnt build a transfercase stong enough for the 5.0. And I do like my auto4x4, but I think it would have made more sense to have a switch that had 2wd, auto, 4hi, 4lo. Hartman doesnt even have 4hi. Its just 2wd, auto, 4lo. Thats gotta be annoying. Constantly turning on and off whenever the rears slip. Thank you Ford.

 

[Hartman]

The only time I need to use 4WD is when the weather is real bad, and only then I use auto. I never use lo.

 

[X24]

But the auto isnt real 4wd. Isnt it annoying? Dont you constantly feel it kicking power around and clunking and everything?

 

[Brans Freestyle]

hey if be happy to take your 4wd parts off your hands so i can do a 4wd conversion. if you want my 2wd and all. if 97 and 98 is compatable.

 

[Hartman]

Originally posted by 98FordX24
But the auto isnt real 4wd. Isnt it annoying? Dont you constantly feel it kicking power around and clunking and everything?

It does kick the power around and stuff, but it doesn't slip, that's all that matters to me.