how to convert to 4wd

[johnjacob]

I needs to know how to convert my 98 2wd into 4wd. Any body got any ideas ? and what gears would i have to put in to spin 35"?

 

[trj360]

I have no idea about the conversion but here is a tire/gear ratio chart, black is stock performance (i guess that's what it's called)

 

[Dan Whitaker]

I needs to know how to convert my 98 2wd into 4wd. Any body got any ideas ? and what gears would i have to put in to spin 35"?

The easiest and cheapest way is to sell it and buy a 4wd. You are going to need a 4wd transmission, transfer case of course, new rear drive shaft, new spindles, and way more parts than I care to list.

 

[MustangP51]

^^^ What he said. Or if you are attached to your Explorer like I would be, find another 4x4 explorer and do a chassis swap.

 

[Nocturnall]

Come on out to me and park your explorer next to mine, we'll move parts from mine to yours and yours to mine.

 

[loweder]

I agree, I wish you were closer! My 98 sport is 4 wheel drive... and I wanna take it to 2 wheel drive! Wish I could help, good luck though!

 

[AiwaExplorer]

hmmm. my sport is 2wd, im in PA, and have lots of air tools, anyone looking to swap to 2wd, Ill swap for your 4wd. Lets do it!

 

[gijoecam]

hmmm. my sport is 2wd, im in PA, and have lots of air tools, anyone looking to swap to 2wd, Ill swap for your 4wd. Lets do it!

Not to sound too harsh, but dude, you're nuts!

You'd literally be swapping more things than it's even remotely worth doing. You'd be better off parking them side by side, signing titles over and driving away... You'd need to swap the engine, trans, transfer case, driveshafts, and essentially the entire front end: Front axle, front driveshaft, CV joints, spindles, hubs, brakes... all of it. Oh, and lets not forget GEMs, assorted wiring harnesses, dash stereo surrounds... Air tools or not, it's WAY more trouble than it's worth.

-Joe

 

[410Fortune]

engine? the engine could stay LOL everything else will need to be swapped....

 

[beenwrong2002]

engine? the engine could stay LOL everything else will need to be swapped....

mmmm thats what i was thinkn.....

 

[gijoecam]

mmmm thats what i was thinkn.....

The 4.0 SOHC engines in the 4x4 have a balance shaft on the rear of the engine that the 2wd motors lack. To do a complete conversion, you'll need to swap motors. You could *probably* get away with leaving the motors, but I wouldn't count on it. I mean, if you're swapping everything else out, the motor's only a few accessories and a few mounting bolts more. Why not do it right?

 

[410Fortune]

Balance shaft, LOL
You are correct, with the SOHC drivetrain a 4wd conversion = swap entire drivetrains...

 

[beenwrong2002]

The 4.0 SOHC engines in the 4x4 have a balance shaft on the rear of the engine that the 2wd motors lack. To do a complete conversion, you'll need to swap motors. You could *probably* get away with leaving the motors, but I wouldn't count on it. I mean, if you're swapping everything else out, the motor's only a few accessories and a few mounting bolts more. Why not do it right?

might be a bit shakey but they rob hp anyways

 

[loweder]

This is definately not an easy task, but if it's do-able, then I would. I really wanna go to 2 wheel drive so I can lower the truck easier with bags and a body drop. I would definately just go buy a 2 wheel expo if I hadn't already spent 20 grand on this one. It doesn't seem to be any easier to bag a 4 wheel drive expo, so why not try to swap to 2 wheel drive if someone else thinks they can... I guess I really got nothing to loose at this point, right? A lot of difficult work trying to fab up a way to bag a 4x4 which poses a lot of problems, or difficulty swapping 4x4 to 2wheel to make baggin easier... its the greater of two evils! What do ya think?

 

[Turdle]

The front IFS can be swapped as an assembly --

a picture

http://www.explorerforum.com/forums/showthread.php?t=210091&highlight=front+ifs+lift

 

[trevell407]

Sell it and buy a civic?

 

[jtmx101]

Alright, I have A 2000 X 4x4 with an ohv v6. And I have a friend who has a 98 Mounty with a 5.0, with 90,000 miles but it is 2 wheel drive. He cracked the cylinder head in his mounty, and was going to have it hauled to the junkyard!! He said that he will sell it to me for 350$ What I want to end up with is a 5.0 4x4. The question is, How will I go about this? will it be easier to swap the 4x4 drivetrain out of mine, or do and engine swap?? I would like to have both, a 4x4 5.0 for offroadin, and a V6 2 wheel drive for a daily driver and mod it out for the street.

 

[gijoecam]

You won't be able to mix and match the drivetrain components... THe engine, trans, and transfer case do not swap between the units, not to mention the wiring, ECU, GEM, et. al.

If you want to convert yours to 2wd, the donor vehicle will be a perfect source for the front end components you will need. However, it will not be a good convert for a V-8 4x4, unless you're looking to essentially swap the whole drivetrain (the motor's blown, and you need a 4x4 front end, manual t-case from an F-150, and trans tail from a 4x4)... Not worth it IMHO.

or 350, you can swap your parts, then have the same junkyard haul it off for $350, making your net cost zero.
Now, keep in mind you will have quite a few issues with the electronics too... a dealership *may* be able to modify the GEM and ECU parameters to make the system think it's a 2wd, not a 4x4, otherwise there will be some other electrical gremlins to find.

In all, it's easier said than done. IMHO, you're still better off selling them both and buying a 2wd if that's what you want. Converting them is more trouble than it's worth!
-Joe

 

[xglyphicx]

Haha anyone in California wanting to trade their 4x4 for a 97 sport 2wd, I'm game. I'll even throw in the JL sound system . My Ram is too purrty to take off road and get all scratched up.

 

[lifeguard379]

Go strait to sas and a divorst T-case.