converting to 4wd

cluelessklewer · **Posted:** Sun Aug 23, 2009 11:03 pm

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 :twisted:

. 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.

jeepkj02 · **Posted:** Sun Aug 23, 2009 11:08 pm

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

cluelessklewer · **Posted:** Sun Aug 23, 2009 11:27 pm

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

tjkj2002 · **Posted:** Sun Aug 23, 2009 11:32 pm

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.

cluelessklewer · **Posted:** Sun Aug 23, 2009 11:54 pm

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

tjkj2002 · **Posted:** Mon Aug 24, 2009 12:28 am

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

cluelessklewer · **Posted:** Mon Aug 24, 2009 12:34 am

well thats some food for thought... i guess its research time

jeepskate · **Posted:** Mon Aug 24, 2009 1:18 am

If you just sold the 2wd and bought a used 4wd you might come out ahead.

Boiler · **Posted:** Mon Aug 24, 2009 7:24 am

Are the buy & sell prices of 2wd's vs 4x4 different enough to warrant buying all that stuff? I can't imagine they are.

Rich · **Posted:** Mon Aug 24, 2009 10:28 am

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.

durangotang · **Posted:** Mon Aug 24, 2009 11:20 am

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.

cluelessklewer · **Posted:** Mon Aug 24, 2009 1:42 pm

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.

L.O. · **Posted:** Wed Aug 26, 2009 12:36 am

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.

Inc · **Posted:** Wed Aug 26, 2009 12:56 am

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.

cluelessklewer · **Posted:** Wed Aug 26, 2009 4:47 pm

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?

ShafferNY · **Joined:** Wed Dec 26, 2007 3:51 pm **Posts:** 88

I'll bet if you shop around you can find a donor vehicle you can take all the parts off for less than that.

tjkj2002 · **Posted:** Wed Aug 26, 2009 10:27 pm

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.

cluelessklewer · **Posted:** Wed Aug 26, 2009 11:56 pm

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!

cluelessklewer · **Posted:** Sat Aug 29, 2009 11:30 pm

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.

rescu2000 · **Posted:** Sun Aug 30, 2009 12:58 am

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.

converting to 4wd

Who is online