I got a 98 1500 with a 318 2WD lifted a little (sits even with my friends 98 4x4) just saw a thing on tv about adding a front axle to a 2WD i know it would be easier and possibly cheaper to buy a used 4x4 but I like my truck. I would either end up with a dead donor truck and engine swap or front axle add-on, or buy all new parts and replace my chrysler rear end with a dana. anyone have any thoughts it will probably be awhile down the line and a complete hack job in my garage but fun either way. also thinking about engine swap to a 410 six pack crate engine would it be cheaper to methodically buy parts and build from the ground up or just buy it in the box?

 

Don't waste your time, just buy a 4wd truck, they are not rare or expensive.

 

thats what i thought until i helped my friend find his 98 4x4 he paid more than I did two years ago with less stock upgrades and drove an hour to get it. and if i do go for a buying a new one i think im going diesel especially if i can get another 2nd gen

 

you can find the 4x4's for cheap. i found one on craigslist, it needs a fuel pump, 138K 5.2 4x4 for $700. said before it died out, it ran excellent. im thinking about getting it for a parts truck since its the same color as mine

 

they are almost all rust buckets here....finding a solid one cheap is rare...high miles or not...
btw the 1500 4x4's do have the corporate 9.25 rear axle ...the front is a dana..

 

If the cost of buying a used 4X4 Ram is out of the question then forget trying to do this swap because it will cost you even more. Much more. Even if cost is not an issue, this will be a very hard conversion requiring very high fabrication skills.

 

 

You would have to swap all of the suspension, all of the drive train, computer, gauges, it would be a nightmare.

 

If it sounds too good to be true, typically it isn't.