LOST JEEPS :: View topic - converting to 4wd

i would love to go sfa but thats just a little too intensive of a project for now, but thanks for the parts list

hows that, wouldnt there be alot more fabrication since parts wont bolt up like on an ifs 4x4 conversion

Another option: be the first to go prerunner style and lift the 2WD. Not having to worry about the CV angles frees up a lot of options up front. If you threw an air locker in the back you'd be surprised where it could go.

I just got a price on an ARB air locker, compressor, labor, and 4.10 gears and the out the door price was $2000. The gears were only $170 with no additional labor. Just wondering if it would really be worth it to spend that much and not have 4wd. How good would it really be off road locked compared to 4wd?

cluelessklewer wrote:

From my real world experience......................

2wd even with a full locker(like a ARB) has nowhere near the ability of a 42d with open/open setup.When I broke my L/F CV joint on Chinaman Gultch I was forced to take it out of 4low and put it into 2wd to prevent further damage.Even with my rear ARB locked I couldn't make it over the smallest obsticals without some serious speeds or a strap.Without that front end pulling and the use of low range makes a world of difference.

Author:	cluelessklewer [ Sun Aug 23, 2009 11:03 pm ]
Post subject:	converting to 4wd
so i currently have a 2wd kj and recently have been pondering over the idea of making it 4wd... at least it sounds like a good idea to me . so mabey i could get some help from the pros. from what i have figured i could just go to a junk yard and pull the parts off of a wrecked 4wd model or buy a cheap wrecked one. i know i would need front axles, front drive shaft, transfer case, and rear drive shaft. the only thing i really have a question about would be the tranny. is there anything on the tranny i would have to change? also, do yall think it would be worth it to switch it 4wd. i would just buy a 4x4 but dont currently have the funds to just buy another vehicle so figured i would be getting out cheaper making mine one.

Author:	jeepkj02 [ Sun Aug 23, 2009 11:08 pm ]
Post subject:
There are threads about this topic that covers what you need for the conversion. If your tearing everything apart you might as well go for the SFA swap. You need: front diff cv axles f&r driveshafts t-case 4wd transmission tailshaft shifter/center console

Author:	cluelessklewer [ Sun Aug 23, 2009 11:27 pm ]
Post subject:
i would love to go sfa but thats just a little too intensive of a project for now, but thanks for the parts list

Author:	tjkj2002 [ Sun Aug 23, 2009 11:32 pm ]
Post subject:
cluelessklewer wrote: i would love to go sfa but thats just a little too intensive of a project for now, but thanks for the parts list Would not be really any harder then converting to IFS 4wd.

Author:	cluelessklewer [ Sun Aug 23, 2009 11:54 pm ]
Post subject:
hows that, wouldnt there be alot more fabrication since parts wont bolt up like on an ifs 4x4 conversion

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Author:	tjkj2002 [ Mon Aug 24, 2009 12:28 am ]
Post subject:
cluelessklewer wrote: hows that, wouldnt there be alot more fabrication since parts wont bolt up like on an ifs 4x4 conversion More intensive-------------Yes Harder--------------No Cost----------about the same

Author:	cluelessklewer [ Mon Aug 24, 2009 12:34 am ]
Post subject:
well thats some food for thought... i guess its research time

Author:	jeepskate [ Mon Aug 24, 2009 1:18 am ]
Post subject:
If you just sold the 2wd and bought a used 4wd you might come out ahead.

Author:	Boiler [ Mon Aug 24, 2009 7:24 am ]
Post subject:
Are the buy & sell prices of 2wd's vs 4x4 different enough to warrant buying all that stuff? I can't imagine they are.

Author:	Rich [ Mon Aug 24, 2009 10:28 am ]
Post subject:
if it's not too late, offer to pay the buy-back on "honeydont's" CRD roll over. All the parts you need AND a diesel drive train. I think the buyback was ~$2500 for the lot.

Author:	durangotang [ Mon Aug 24, 2009 11:20 am ]
Post subject:
Another option: be the first to go prerunner style and lift the 2WD. Not having to worry about the CV angles frees up a lot of options up front. If you threw an air locker in the back you'd be surprised where it could go.

Author:	cluelessklewer [ Mon Aug 24, 2009 1:42 pm ]
Post subject:
It's already lifted. I had already thought about putting 4.10 gears and a locker in it but figured I would rather have 4wd. I wouldn't be converting till the new year when I can get all the funds together. I would have Christmas, birthday 3 days later, then tax refund shortly after that if needed.

Author:	L.O. [ Wed Aug 26, 2009 12:36 am ]
Post subject:
Man, do not do this....you are digging yourself in way deep. Go with the lockers....much less work and $$ and almost as good off road ability.

Author:	Inc [ Wed Aug 26, 2009 12:56 am ]
Post subject:
durangotang wrote: Another option: be the first to go prerunner style and lift the 2WD. Not having to worry about the CV angles frees up a lot of options up front. If you threw an air locker in the back you'd be surprised where it could go. I like that idea.

Author:	cluelessklewer [ Sat Aug 29, 2009 11:30 pm ]
Post subject:
as far as transfer cases go, can anyone tell me which t-case i need. selec trac vs command trac or if i even have a choice. and if i go with one or the other does it effect what size driveshafts or trans tailshaft i have to get.

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Author:	cluelessklewer [ Wed Aug 26, 2009 4:47 pm ]
Post subject:
I just got a price on an ARB air locker, compressor, labor, and 4.10 gears and the out the door price was $2000. The gears were only $170 with no additional labor. Just wondering if it would really be worth it to spend that much and not have 4wd. How good would it really be off road locked compared to 4wd?

Author:	ShafferNY [ Wed Aug 26, 2009 7:09 pm ]
Post subject:
I'll bet if you shop around you can find a donor vehicle you can take all the parts off for less than that.

Author:	tjkj2002 [ Wed Aug 26, 2009 10:27 pm ]
Post subject:
cluelessklewer wrote: I just got a price on an ARB air locker, compressor, labor, and 4.10 gears and the out the door price was $2000. The gears were only $170 with no additional labor. Just wondering if it would really be worth it to spend that much and not have 4wd. How good would it really be off road locked compared to 4wd? From my real world experience...................... 2wd even with a full locker(like a ARB) has nowhere near the ability of a 42d with open/open setup.When I broke my L/F CV joint on Chinaman Gultch I was forced to take it out of 4low and put it into 2wd to prevent further damage.Even with my rear ARB locked I couldn't make it over the smallest obsticals without some serious speeds or a strap.Without that front end pulling and the use of low range makes a world of difference.

Author:	cluelessklewer [ Wed Aug 26, 2009 11:56 pm ]
Post subject:
tjkj2002 wrote: cluelessklewer wrote: I just got a price on an ARB air locker, compressor, labor, and 4.10 gears and the out the door price was $2000. The gears were only $170 with no additional labor. Just wondering if it would really be worth it to spend that much and not have 4wd. How good would it really be off road locked compared to 4wd? From my real world experience...................... 2wd even with a full locker(like a ARB) has nowhere near the ability of a 42d with open/open setup.When I broke my L/F CV joint on Chinaman Gultch I was forced to take it out of 4low and put it into 2wd to prevent further damage.Even with my rear ARB locked I couldn't make it over the smallest obsticals without some serious speeds or a strap.Without that front end pulling and the use of low range makes a world of difference. thats exactly what i was looking for... real world experience on locked 2 vs 4wd. i think thats all i need to know. it looks like its going to be a 4x4. now to find a donor vehicle and some extra $. thanks alot guys for all the imput!

Author:	rescu2000 [ Sun Aug 30, 2009 12:58 am ]
Post subject:
I know that there are people who will speak up and say that it's not as strong as an ARB or Powertrax, but the first thing I would do is stick an aussie locker in the rear. It's like $320 and you can put it in yourself in about an hour (maybe two if you run into problems). Then, even if you change the front over, you will have the rear locked already. AND you get immediate benefit now for little cash. With that said, I really gotta say it has to be cheaper to sell the KJ you have and buy a 4x4.