I guess mine's different because it's a second gen, but I had a massive crossmember I had to cut off to fit my leaf springs. I do have a steering box, but the later years have rack and pinion and it's not a big deal to add a steering box. I'm just saying, it might be some extra work, but a frame swap isn't exactly trivial, either.

 

Ok yea, there was other differences as well like trans crossmember rear leaf spring brackets n blah blah blah but I like the 4x4 frame I looked stronger than the 2wd. I also fully boxed my frame all the way to the rear for extra strength

 

No problem. I wasn't trying to argue with you or anything. Just trying to understand what you were talking about, since my first gen experience is extremely limited. Thanks.

 

I understand that a 4x4 frame will be easier in the end, just depends if I can find one i decent shape, thats why I love the fram I have now, its in such good condition for its age, no rust, no wiring corrosion, nothing, minus the obvious faded paint which will get changed anyways, I am aware of the little extra work on a 4x2 compared to a 4x4........I will be doing a little off roading but mainly this truck will be used as my DD/ tow truck when I tow my drift car, and of course taking it out on the beach to camp. If I am able to find a 4x4 frame in good condition at a good price Ill probably jump on it, but I have no problem doing the little extra work, because either way its BUILT not bought haha

DOes anyone know if the 242 matches up with the NV4500?

 

No problem here Tom (: Was just stating my opinion on what I prefer n what I did is all.. But I would find a 4x4 frame n fully box it in.. If u want pictures of my frame lmk it turned out really nice I'm very happy w how strong it is n the bed doesn't flex away from the cab like my old Dakota.. N I'm running one ton axles w 40" tires..

N for the 242 I'm not sure what is it out of n I'm assuming its electronic shift? Usually the out put shaft on the nv4500 is 29 spline... Since ur doing a cummins I'd look for a NP241ld or NP241dhd (what I have in my mud truck) they can in hd trucks n diesels cummins of course.. Worst case is u may have to swap input gears to tcase to mate to trans depending what spline out put shaft u have w ur nv4500

 

I appreciate all the opinions that is why I am here Would love to see those pictures, boxing in the frame, it is def a must, i can torque my current frame just from rocking it back and forth let alone towing something haha

and the 242 is the np241 but it has 5 selections instead of 4 (Full 4x4, 4x4 hi, 4x4 low, N, and 2 hi

 

Icic with the tcase.. If u already have it use it if not I'd honestly look for a DHD or LD cause I mean how often are you going to use the full 4x4 option?

As for the frame I got the idea from seeing my old Dakota only on 33"s flex like a bitch.. I pretty much took every nut and bolt, lines, clips n brackets off the frame down to nothing.. Here's a few pics
The start lol


Cutting everything off but engine mounts!! EVERYTHING!






Being a dork wishing the project was done already lol


Boxed in to the very last rivited in cross bar thingy


Hercalined the intire frame




If u kno these frames trucks the rear fuel tank/ bed mount bracket / crossmember was taken off for the boxing of the frame because part of that cross bar gets bolted to the inside of the frame..


This is what I did after the frame was boxed I cut that cross bar to fit in the frame again n completly welded it to the frame inside as pictured n on top with no bolts..



Finish of the bed liner



2wd v6 body n frame being stripped for body n panels



Easiest way for us... Takes about three four guys to pull n hold so it don't tip.. Pretty easy actually





Bye bye old frame 2wd v6 w blown engine



Engine trans n tcase installed



Cab installed



N I pretty much built off from there

 

Nice job rx7_dude2003. Did you post up a SAS build thread yet? I would suggest doing it and add all of these pictures.

 

Thanks. I will one of these days I kno a few of u asked for a build thead when I first came to this page haha

 

Great Pictures really appreciate that....and true honestly I probably wont be using it very often

your right that does seem a lot easier to deal with a 4x4 frame, you should make a write up fer sure.