Hello everyone

Just wanted to know if it was possible to change a 2wd truck into a 4wd? and if so how much do you think it would be?

Its a 2001 dodge ram 1500 2wd 5.2L

thank you

 

howdy,
unless you're just looking for a long drawn out science project, it'll be more time, trouble, and cost than its worth. you'd really be a lot better off just selling the 2wd and buying a 4wd.

if you're bound and determined to do it, the first thing you have to do is go to the junkyard and buy a 4wd truck to pull all the parts from. the whole front end, rear springs and blocks, transmission, t-case, both drive shafts and stuff, shifter, etc.

 

Yeah i just wanted to know what all needed to be done, and yeah that sounds like alot of work, its my girls truck and shes scared to drive it in the winter and when trying to sell it everyone wants it to be a 4wd.

Its a really nice truck.but only 2wd any ideas on how to get better traction? for when the winter comes

thanks alot your always a help

 

Load the bed down with sand, or wood. The more weight you can get over the axle, the better. (Although, don't overload it.)

 

$400 powertrax noslip locker.
mud/snow tires.
weight in the bed. firewood, sand, bricks.
chains, either a nice set of strap on's, or cheap emergency straps.

 

what does that powertrax no slip locker do?
stop you from spinning out?

and when you say straps for the truck,. what do you mean to do with them?

thank you

 

standard differential is an open designed, as opposed to Limited Slip or Locker. it works great on pavement or dry dirt roads where you have equal traction, and both wheels can pull. where it fails miserable is in the mud and snow when one tire spins, then it will deliver all power to the spinning wheel, and nothing to the wheel with traction.

Limited Slip uses clutches to sense traction, and try to deliver the power away from the spinning wheel to the one with traction. it was an option on these trucks, although it was a crappy LSD that often fails. Its also an aftermarket option, but pricey to buy and install.

Locker is the cat's meow. it locks both wheels together and grinds forward. as needed on the highway, it unlocks and goes around curves. Powertrax Noslip is a cheaper do it yourself device called a lunchbox locker. Other brands are pricey and require installation by someone that knows what they're doing, as opposed to a shade tree mechanic.


this is a full wrap around cable set.
http://www.jcwhitney.com/autoparts/Browse/c-10101/Nty-1/Ntx-mode+matchallpartial/N-10101/tf-Browse/Ns-p_PRICE|0||p_Product.LONGDESCRIPTION.sort/s-10101/Ntk-AllTextSearchGroup?Ntt=snow+chain

http://www.amazon.com/Radial-Chain-S...8396722&sr=1-6

there's a cheap strap on, where you put on 1 or 2 per tire and thread it through the wheel slot and around the tire.
http://www.tirechain.com/emergency_strap_on_cars.htm

 

Thanks alot you have been a big help.

 

hey, this is jon collins from nacogdoches, tx. i have a 96 dodge dakota and i was wonderin if it was possible to convert it to a 4wd. and was wonderin how much do you think i would cost.

thanks alot.
jon

 

Not worth the time or money, sell your truck and buy a 4x4.