So Ive had my 1997 ram 1500 for about 7 years now and I've poured countless hours into modifying it for no substantial reason. Aftermarket parts and accessories etc. But the fact that it was a 2 wheel drive was always an issue for me. Below is the last pic i took before the conversion. 8 inches of lift on a mix of parts ranging from Fabtech to Accuair.



1997 ram 1500 2 wheel drive.

At first glance people always admired the truck and upon hearing that it was a 2 wheel drive they alway looked confused. lol. So i decided that it would be a fun project to turn my 2 wheel drive into a 4x4.

Started out by finding a guy parting out his 1997 ram 1500 4x4. Sweet! Was able to get the frame complete with wiring, brake lines, gas lines and front axle/steering components for $600.

Next step was figuring out how to remove the body and other components from the frame and remount them on the new frame. All I have to work with is a 1.5 car garage with barely enough room to shimmy around the side of the truck. But I'm an innovative guy, i can make it work.





Tight squeeze

Once the truck was snugged into the garage the next step was figuring out a lift system. I figured it would be easiest to keep the body and engine compartment together to minimize the amount of disconnecting, but if I simply jacked up the body i wouldn't be able to simple pull out the old frame like I planned. So I rigged up a wooden 2 post lift contraption with 4x4 posts, steel fencing rail, some brackets and a bottle jack.



Looks nice and safe right?



Underside shot



Side view

Once I had the custom 2 post lift installed I unbolted various components, the engine/ transmission mounts, fuel line, brake lines at the master cylinder, wiring harness exhaust, steering box, and all the body mounts. now its time to start jacking up the body and components. The two wooden lifts lifted from opposite sides of the truck and the engine/transmission/front end were held up by my 2 ton engine crane, Yes i trusted harbor freight.






Engine securely supported by 2 heavy duty ratcheting tie downs. As well as front end.

I started cranking up the body/engine components one corner at a time. Until I could remove the 3 inch body spacers. The lifting devices were perfectly balanced to my surprise, with just a slight lean forward to be supported by the engine crane.



Up and at em'

Once the body/components were high enough it was time to remove the old frame. Had to remove the front tires to clear the wooden lifts. Thought i could sneak under, but nope! So I rolled it out on the rotors, rolled pretty smooth actually.




Bed still on as you can see, one step at a time.

 

These frames are heavy so I required the help of a friend to move the old one out and the new one in. Didn't know that the transmission would leak like crazy when the drive shaft was removed, oops. Also a power steering hose got snagged on something and leaked. But other wise the frame removal wasn't too bad.




Next I had to close up shop for the night cause I was exhausted. Problem was that the back end of my truck was still sticking out the garage, so i and to leave it open an hope nothing got stolen. Was a sleepless night for me. woke up the next morning and did the painstaking task of aligning the body with he new frame mounts, not as easy as you'd think. But once everything was aligned I could finally set the body/engine on the new frame and give my lifts and crane a break.




Touchdown!

I could rest easy now that everything was at least resting on the 4x4 frame. the next day was spent re attaching and torquing down all the bolts, looong day. The removal of the old body lift gave some issues. Good thing the new frame came with a stock tranny shift linkage (no wonder my current one didn't fit, it was extended 3 inches) Also the manual i was following said to torque the steering box bolts to 180 ft/lbs (really great way to break a bolt) Spent an hour fishing out the broken bolt. But once again, good thing the new frame came with a steering box and bolts!

Next I wanted too get the new frame off any lift devices, jacks and such. So i installed the from tires so the front was now resting on the new suspension and went to work on the rear.




Rear axle was a pain.



No help today and that thing was heavy.


The rear end was more difficult than I thought, getting the axle mounts to line up with the leaf spring pins was a mission, everything was so heavy and unbalanced. but once installed it looked great with my new shackle flip. (Did not like the idea of stacking 3" blocks on 4" blocks to accommodate the 5" rough country lift that was on the 4x4 frame.




Almost there

Now I've got 2 half trucks, one with the front end and one with the rear. Below in the old frame and bed tucked into my back yard. next step is to remove the bed and install it on the new frame.








Bed off!



Bed on!

Yes the back is a bit higher. thats on cause i still have an aftermarket bumper and spare tire to go back there, after that well se how much it settles. There than a missing trailer hitch and crooked steering wheel the truck was able to drive out of the garage, so that was a good sign.






Newish front end.



Old rear end under newish frame.


Now the next step is to get the transfer case installed. but until that happens I'm satisfied with my shifter console I found on eBay. Sweet little console for a manual/4x4. Thought Id use the manual shifter area and put a plate for some accessory light switches maybe (since mines an auto), well see. The best part is this console comes with 2 cup holders, the old cup holder were the worst.




Love the cup holders!!!

Next update, transfer case install and rear axle shims, been driving well so far.

 

A very ambitious project. Good job!!

 

Thanks Snowfan, I think my thread makes it look way easier than it was too. Had to call in sick from work a few days cause it took longer than I had planned. haha. I can see why there weren't many 4x4 conversions for me to go to for help.

 

Just curious if you have some kind of link to that shifter console? Wondering if it would fit my 96. The stock cup holders above the radio suck, lol

 

MrGman no link sorry, these consoles are apparently pretty rare. I didn't know they even existed till recently. I believe they were on some 1998-2002 manuals. But if you can find one it does fit my 97 pretty well so I'm sure it would work for your 96. I believe a search for "dodge ram floor shifter console" will get you somewhere, goodluck!

 

Yep, did a quick search when I saw your pictures and didn't really find anything, that's why I thought I'd ask if you happened to have a link. I'll keep randomly searching EBay and junkyards, lol

 

MrGman I found 2 on eBay and messaged you the links. I warn you they're pricey.

 

Lol, you're not kidding. Not sure why those didn't turn up in my search. Thx

 

Well then, that was quite the exercise. Congrats!!!!

Do you still have the 2wd trans in there? I don't think yer gonna be able to just bolt the t-case to it....... Do you have the trans/t-case that was originally in the 4x4 truck??