Guys i have 97 ram. and it is 2wd. and i am so tired of going off roading with my friend geting stuck every time. has any one heard of a 2wd to 4wd converson for this year ram and how hard will it be to do.
thanks

 

It's pretty a pretty involved swap. The best way to do it is to go buy a donor truck that is 4wd. I believe you'll need the transmission, the transfer case, both drive shafts, the front axel. All the front end steering components. The PCM out of the 4x4. There might be more. I'd check www.pirate4x4.com and run a search on their bulletin board. You should be able to find a good bit of information concerning the swap.

 

If you just put a Limited slip rear end in place, you wouldn't get stuck as much. Other than that you would probably be able to get a used 4x4 cheaper than you could do the swap.

 

Well a limited slip isn't going to get you anywhere offroad, but if you were to put a locker in your rear axel you'd be surprised how far you'd get. Still you have the issue of ground clearance. 4x4s sit about 2 inches higher, but if you do the swap you can grab the lift blocks off the 4x4 since you're going to have to to get the steering geometry right.

Everyone always says you can get a used 4x4 for cheaper but that's not really true. How is a used 4x4 any cheaper than a wrecked 4x4 that you're going to be stealing all the parts off of? Unless you're paying someone else to do the swap. Then no, it would not be worth it.

If you do decide to go with the donor truck then it might be time to capitalize on some other things you might want to swap out. Like a nv4500 5sp tranny instead of the crapo automatics in these trucks. Maybe a v-10 or a cummins turbo diesel (although now we're getting into some serious labor). If you do get a 2500 to do the swap with you could benefit from the stronger axels, springs etc.

Do some research. Give it some thought. Let us know what you plan to do.

 

If you got to DodgeTalk.com there is a 2000 ram 4x4 for 3000.00 with a bad tranny under classifieds, dont know if that would work for you or not.

 

I dont know why it took it out of the post but it is dodge talk.

 

Ya the EASIEST way is to buy a new truck. But deffently not the cheepest or funnest. I have done it. It is worth it! Get a 4x4 thats wrecked or dead engine and you could use yours. Just like you said swap frames. The motor and tranny and suspension is on there so just swaping is easy. The body mounts should be the same locations. Plan it all out and have enogh space to do it at and I can garantee you can get it done in a weekend with some help. On my truck for example There were only small differances. like a ebrake cable was longer and adding wires for the 4wd switch light and extending the speed sensor wires. All small stuff apsolutly no cutting (exept thefloorfor the shifter)or drilling nothing!! For me that was.If you get the 4wd truck spend youtime examining everything and compair it to your 2wd truck.Idid everything for $1,000 plus oils and all. So 1g or 5 to 30gs for a new truck! This is deffently the cheepest way! Some people will say not to but they are just scared to do it.

 

man i wish i had the time and money to do that but gotta get outta college first i hope it goes well for ya

 

i'd say you are better off just buying a 4X4 and sell your truck now

 

2wd frame is different. Unless you can find one with a wrecked body and maybe a blown engine thatyou could drop yours into It's probably not worth it. I you can't do all the work yourself it's definitely not worth it.
Sell yours and buy what you want. Save the grief.