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2wd to 4x4 Conversion

Old May 18, 2014 | 07:31 PM
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Default 2wd to 4x4 Conversion

I just came into ownership of a 4x4 trans and transfer case off my friends recently totaled 98 dodge ram. I also have a front hp dana 44 laying around. What I was wondering is I know there is allot of fab work involved with doing a 2x4 to 4x4 conversion when using stock links but what If I did it with Long arms? Then its just a bracket that bolts in place of the cross member. I would just need 4x4 linkage, The Coil buckets and shock tabs right?
I'm looking into doing this on my 1998 Dodge ram 1500 single cab short bed 53k orig miles
 

Last edited by DJeXeCute; May 18, 2014 at 07:33 PM.
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Old May 19, 2014 | 12:33 AM
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Easiest way to do it will be with leaf springs.


Far as building your own custom multi link suspension you are on the wrong forum. Try Pirate4x4.com. Read, do not ask your question there. If you read a few threads you will understand why I say that.
 
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Old May 19, 2014 | 12:49 AM
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^^ hahah Wombat.


DJ -- Yes, you have the general concept down. Is the hp44 you have driver side drop? Now get started!

Originally Posted by DJeXeCute
I just came into ownership of a 4x4 trans and transfer case off my friends recently totaled 98 dodge ram. I also have a front hp dana 44 laying around. What I was wondering is I know there is allot of fab work involved with doing a 2x4 to 4x4 conversion when using stock links but what If I did it with Long arms? Then its just a bracket that bolts in place of the cross member. I would just need 4x4 linkage, The Coil buckets and shock tabs right?
I'm looking into doing this on my 1998 Dodge ram 1500 single cab short bed 53k orig miles
 
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Old May 19, 2014 | 11:42 AM
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I was looking into the bds 5" lift with pre fabbed multi link new leafs coils etc.
It's $1,600 so I'm going to be waiting awhile on this I want to have the trans and t-case gone through and rebuilt before anything first just to be on the safe side.
http://www.offroadwarehouse.com/prod...roductID/54680
 
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Old May 19, 2014 | 05:24 PM
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be much better off just piecing together your own money wise. just sayin... 2500 coils will net you 2-3" and then throw a spacer on top of them for your 5" then all you gotta worry about is the back, either do a block or buy lifted leafs.
 
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Old May 19, 2014 | 06:34 PM
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Originally Posted by ryan0714
be much better off just piecing together your own money wise. just sayin... 2500 coils will net you 2-3" and then throw a spacer on top of them for your 5" then all you gotta worry about is the back, either do a block or buy lifted leafs.
If only it were that easy. Beyond about 3" of lift, gotta deal with pitman arm, track bar, and control arms, so that things line up where they should, and you can actually do an alignment.
 
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Old May 20, 2014 | 01:20 PM
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Originally Posted by HeyYou
If only it were that easy. Beyond about 3" of lift, gotta deal with pitman arm, track bar, and control arms, so that things line up where they should, and you can actually do an alignment.

yea true that I forgot about being above 3". but still it would be cheaper to buy them all indidually than to pay 1600
 
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Old May 20, 2014 | 04:42 PM
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Guys he has a ford axle. Not a POS 2nd gen LP CAD unit bearing 44 haha.
 
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Old May 20, 2014 | 07:44 PM
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Originally Posted by Wombat Ranger
Guys he has a ford axle. Not a POS 2nd gen LP CAD unit bearing 44 haha.
Not sure but It is a king pin style axle
 
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Old May 20, 2014 | 08:04 PM
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If it is a high pinion full width D44 it's a Ford, I cannot think of any other application for a HP44 in a truck. Hmm kingpins does it have open or closed knuckles?
 
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