I recently started restoring my dads old worktruck, a 1994 Dodge Ram 1500 2wd. Since I'm just starting college, and feeling the hurt in this terrible economy, I thought it'd be a good way to slowly buy myself a decent vehicle.

My question is whether I could convert it to 4wd? It's really the last thing on my list, as it still needs a new bumper, paint etc. But I'd like to know for sure whether it's possible, and if it is how much trouble?

Any help appreciated, thanks!

 

Technically, it is possible but it would be very expensive. The better (i.e., cheaper)option is to just buy a 4x4.

You can always put a locker in the rear. I have a Powertrax no-slip in my 4x2 and it does pretty well in most conditions with M/T tires.

 

Nice. Good luck with it. There was a guy selling a green extended cab 95 ram 1500 4x2 with like 210,000 miles on it near where I live, it was $1500. It didnt look like it was in too bad of shape either. I was going to buy it but talked myself out of it. I should of though, it would have been a fun project.

 

just throw a locker in the rear and put a winch on it

 

Thanks for the help, fellas! I was looking into a winch and I think it's a good alternative. The locker sounds like a good idea, but exactly what do they do? I googled it but it only showed me installations heh...

 

A locker is a locking differential. Most people seem to think the Detroit lockers are best. I have a Powertrax no-slip and have been very satisfied with it. Most lockers come in different varieties (e.g. no-slip, limited slip).

The locker locks both wheels so they turn at the same rate. The benefit is that when one wheel breaks loose, the other wheel keeps turning. With an open differential, one wheel will spin and the other will be stopped.

Benefits are both your rear wheels will always be turning, but the downside is that you may get some chirping around corners.

I have to be easy around the corners so the locker does not lock, but that is a small price to pay for greatly increased traction.

 

"chirping around corners"

thats the norm for me