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Chris Dutcher
Dodge Dakota
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4/13/2003
04:32:44
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 Subject: Help with converting 2 wd to 4wd
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I have a 1992 Dodge Dakota V8 2wd.
I would like to know if it would be possible
to convert it from 2wd to 4wd?
Has anyone ever done it?
I has very poor traction offroad.
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tj
Dodge Dakota
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4/13/2003
09:58:01
| RE: Help with converting 2 wd to 4wd
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you can do it, it's did done before. right now i'm cutting out the ifs and putting in a solid axle on my 92. you would have to do the same. it will give you around 8" of lift to boot.
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Fitz
Dodge Dakota
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4/13/2003
12:33:16
| RE: Help with converting 2 wd to 4wd
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Hey. I own a 2wd and was considering doing that, but it costs so much money. What i did is I went on google and just searched 4x4 conversions. Good luck and keep me updated for this could be a future upgrade that'd i'd be willing to do.
-Fitz
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chris dutcher
Dodge Dakota
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4/13/2003
15:36:38
| RE: Help with converting 2 wd to 4wd
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TJ,
There are a couple of 4wd dak's
at the junkyard.
I was thinking of taking
the trans,and the whole front suspension off
of it and adapting it.
I just need to know what mods have to be
done to mount the new parts.
Also why would I need a straight axle?
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ian
Dodge Dakota
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4/14/2003
12:27:16
| RE: Help with converting 2 wd to 4wd
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chris, you would be much better off putting in a solid front axle. it will be hell trying to to get the IFS straight.
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chris dutcher
Dodge Dakota
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4/14/2003
12:36:26
| RE: Help with converting 2 wd to 4wd
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Would I still need the trans out of the
4wd dakota.
What axle would you recomend.
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dakota man
Dodge Dakota
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4/16/2003
23:02:58
|  RE: Help with converting 2 wd to 4wd
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ok to mount the ifs system under your truck you would have to change the frame from about the mid door forward its just to much to deal with the dude is right i have already done this out of the 30 dakotas i have owned the best axle i have found to use is the dana 44 out from under a dodge full size you will have to have it shortend about 5 inches you can also use the leafs out from under the same truck what i did was find a full size 4x4 that i used all the brackets, springs and axle out from under the hardest part your gonna run into will be steering you'll have alot of fab work to be done youll have to marry the dakota and full size drop link together hope you all can weld
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papa smurf
Dodge Dakota
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4/17/2003
00:17:51
| RE: Help with converting 2 wd to 4wd
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Go with a front and rear axle from a late 70's ford bronco or f-150, both used a HP Dana 44 in the front and a Ford 9" in the rear. They are really close to the same width as the Gen III models so I would assume it is really close to the earlier models too. Stay away from the 80 and newer bronco axles as they went to the new "semi" ifs axle in 80. There are a whole crap load of aftermarket add ons and upgrades for both of these axles and they are pretty stong too (both handle 35's under extreme conditions very well). If you can find axles from a F-250 you would be in even better shape as I think they went to a Dana 60 in the front. These of course are driver side pumpkins up front which is how the Gen III's transfer cases are setup, so I think if you are putting a transfer case in too it is pretty open to whatever you can get. I have heard really good things about the 3/4 ton chevy axles (Dana 60 front and Corporate 14 bolt rears). Pretty much you should be open to whatever you want to choose, but width wise the Ford axles are a really good match for our trucks.
Of what I can tell you now is that dakota man is right...there will be a lot of fab work and a lot...and i mean a lot...of welding that you will have to do. So either learn to weld, buy a good welder, or find a really good friend who doesn't have a lot to do and will do it cheap cause it will cost a good penny. If you do it do it right and go heavier than you think you will need to go. It is always better to plan now for possible future modifications. For exampe, my truck is geared and lifted so 35's can eventually fit when I get the money for them, just a small expense now for future considerations.
So in other words...if you do some extreme things or would be interested in the future, look at say an atlas t-case and then dana 44 or 60 front and then something comparable in the rear.
I hope that I haven't confused you or turned you away from doing what you want, but I just wanted to add my 2 cents worth.
If you have any questions email me or just respond to this thread...I am just glad to bring as much help to anyone I can.
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chris dutcher
Dodge Dakota
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4/17/2003
04:29:10
| RE: Help with converting 2 wd to 4wd
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Hello guys,
I have a 1992 dodge dakota extended cab V8 2wd,
we can weld fairly good.
It has a 3 inch body lift, we had to do alot of fab work to make it work.
2 inch coil spacers in the front,
30/9.50 tires
I would like to know if I can find a truck comparable to mine but in 4-wheel drive and
just swap my body and motor onto the 4-wheel drive frame with trans.
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Fitz
Dodge Dakota
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4/17/2003
08:27:48
| RE: Help with converting 2 wd to 4wd
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Hey Chris, i am about to buy the Trailmaster 3 inch body lift for my 96 2WD. I've talked to Joe bout it and he says all u need is a steering extension and new rear bumper brackets. That is also what all of the people at the 4 wheel shops round here say. They say just bring it to a metal shop for those problems. Now I was just wondering, is this all i'll have to do and do you think i could install the body lift myself, and just have it put on a trailer and taken to a shop? I know I could install it myself so i wouldn't want to waste the extra money for a shop to do it. Thanks,
-Fitz
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BAD360RT
Dodge Dakota
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4/17/2003
09:42:03
| RE: Help with converting 2 wd to 4wd
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Hey Fitz, I did the Trailmaster 3" body lift on a '93 4x4 I had, it's pretty easy. Mine came with the steering extension, bolts rights in. Still need to do the bumpers yourself. The front bumper is pretty easy, just need to make a template of the holes, move them three inches and drill new ones. I just took the rear bumper off, was gonna do a rollpan but never got around to it, then I got rid of it. Took my brother and I about six hours to do the lift, new shocks and tires.
-Dave
'02 FR RC R/T
'03 BS CC 4x4...coming this summer
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Fitz
Dodge Dakota
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4/17/2003
13:22:17
| RE: Help with converting 2 wd to 4wd
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hey Bad360RT, thanks for the help. The thing is, mines a Two wheel drive, not a 4 wheel drive truck. So i wsa asking what mod's needed to be done. Thanks though.
-Fitz
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chris dutcher
Dodge Dakota
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4/17/2003
15:53:30
| RE: Help with converting 2 wd to 4wd
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Fitz,
The trailmaster body lift comes with the steering extension.
You need to do the front bumper like what bad did.
The rear you do the same.
On my 2wheel drive we had to lower the radiator 3 inches. Underneath the radiator is a piece of metal formed in with the body.
You have to cut that piece out and weld it 3 inches lower with some metal plate.
Also you have to then make new top mounts for the radiator.
Make sure they are good mounts or they will break.
If you ever jump your truck like a foot or two then make sure they are built strong enough
or you will destroy your radiator on the fan.
I have the 2 inch lift spacers in front,
now the top bump stops are riding on the a-arms,
so every time you go over a bump offroad it sound like the front end is slamming.
It goes over larg bumps thoug if you jump over em.
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Fitz
Dodge Dakota
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4/17/2003
17:08:14
| RE: Help with converting 2 wd to 4wd
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Message:
Thanks! Now when I'm installing this, do i have to lower the radiator before or after i put the blocks in? Also, i thought the steering extension was to small and you need to add a larger shaft.
I also have the 2 inch spacers and am running 30's. Thanks alot,
-Fitz
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chris dutcher
Dodge Dakota
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4/17/2003
17:44:42
| RE: Help with converting 2 wd to 4wd
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Lower the radiator after you put the blocks in.
It took us a day.
The steering shaft was just perfect for us.
There also is a piece of metal in the kit you have to weld on the shifting linkage.
Also how is your traction offroad?
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Fitz
Dodge Dakota
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4/18/2003
10:07:37
| RE: Help with converting 2 wd to 4wd
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fine, but because it's an open diff, when one wheel gets stuck, so does my truck. I just haveto watch out for deep mud and i'll be fine, snow is no problem. I've got 30x9.5 BFG ATs on stock rims.-Fitz
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chris dutcher
Dodge Dakota
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4/20/2003
23:01:16
| RE: Help with converting 2 wd to 4wd
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Well I run my truck offroad and in the sand,
so when it gets stuck it really gets stuck.
It usually takes a 4wd to pull me out.
Does anyone recommend a locker?
Is it really worth the money?
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Greg
Dodge Dakota
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11/16/2004
22:35:08
| RE: Help with converting 2 wd to 4wd
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Do they sell a kit that converts 2wd to 4wd. I have a 2000 Dodge Dakota Club Cab with standard transmission.
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chaximus
Dodge Dakota
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11/18/2004
08:05:31
| RE: Help with converting 2 wd to 4wd
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Like i said in all the other posts, try the powertrax no-slip or lockright (if ur tight on money). They give u the traction of a 4x4 if you are 2wd like i was. Don't get confused on what i meant by "traction like a 4x4". If you take a stock 4x4 and off road in mud, only 2 tires will be doing most of the work (one up front, and one in the rear). This is the effect of a open differental and basically, it sucks. Same goes for the 2wd. You are actually 4x1 :) 4x4's are actually 4x2's :)
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