Why not?

But not without major slashes taken out of your bank account. The first place you'll see it is in dramatically reduced fuel economy -- expect a perfectly running Ram on stock size tires, converted to AWD, to get no more than 12MPG highway, probably more like 10MPG if you leave everything else stock. The next place you'll see it is in the cost of tires, which will wear about 25% faster. Finally, you'll be eating front end/front axle components at a rate much, much greater than you would in a part time setup.

My '78 Cherokee was AWD from the factory and was a lot cheaper to operate and maintain once converted to part time. I'll never again have a large vehicle with AWD.

If you really, really want AWD, you bought the wrong vehicle.

 

I'm wondering that also.



Agreed.


Having run all 3 systems (part time/fultime/ 242 Tcase with both PT and FT) I have to say that part time 4x4 is the way to go.

Either way, you have the same components, the only difference is the Transfer case.

A full time case has a viscous coupling, to allow driving on hard, non slippery surfaces, and a 'Hi-Lock' and 'Low-Lock' position.


Only difference with a true AWD is no low range, and no shifting.

And there's a reason it was only offered for a short time in a full size truck.


My '99 Cherokee had the 242 T-case, it was a streetable wheeling rig, never trailered it, always drove it to where I was wheeling, even 3000 mile round trips to Moab, Utah.

I never used the full time option in the T-case. Either the road conditions warranted 4x4, or they didn't.

With today's 'Shift on the Fly' 4x4 systems, I really don't understand the want for an AWD?

They are more complicated, and more expensive to maintain, not to mention source parts for since there is no standard conversion for a full size rig.

 

If you're looking for additional traction, try adding a true-trac to the rear. It's not AWD, but it'll help.

 

My comment wasn't being sarcastic , making your truck an AWD is not feasible . An AWD will still require the front axle plus you'd have to do a lifted long arm suspension etc etc etc just to prepare yours being 2wd .

The difference all lies in the t-case .

If I was considering this , and having a 4x4 . I could simply use a 249 case from a 98 Grand Cherokee . That's provided I could find an input gear if needed to match the spline count (both use 46RE). This would also require both driveshafts to be modified as the jeep u-joints are smaller .
These are not mechanical cases . The utilize a viscous coupler in the case to transfer power to the front . Set it and forget it , unless low range is needed .
2 types if you look into it .93-95 model , 96-98 model . Difference is the early model runs a 50/50 split all times . Still runs smooth turning and my favorite of the 2 . The later model has a 80/20 split but increases to more even distribution as required . More of an on-demand system . This case also has low lock . This mechanically locks the front and rear for a 50/50 power split , like a 4x4 would have .

There's a few different ways to approach it I suppose . I think you'd have to just take suggestions , research , and maybe some trial and error to pull it off .

 

Yeah, I know that some trucks have front axles that are always locked in, but I'm concerned about the transfer case. Isn't it basically like 4 wheel high? I don't know much about the difference between AWD and 4x4...

 

Ok so for instance my axle is always locked in because I don't have a CAD. But the T case is in neutral.

So my diff is spinning all the time. And the front ds. And the t case output becuse its attached to the ds. But that's it. It is spinning freely. If I engaged it and drove around it would be very bad becuase it would bind up. But it is OK when its in nuetral.

AWD systems like a subaru have power going to all the wheels the time. But there has to be some kind of system to allow for slippage.

With a part time when you engage the 4x4 you have that 50/50 split come hell or high water.

I summarize it like this.

AWD is great for slippery surfaces.

If you have to drive through something (like a foot of snow) you want 4x4. Because eventually you have to hammer down.

Sometimes you can AWD with a 4lo lock so then it acts like a traditional 4x4.

 

Ok, I gotcha now. I knew that about the front ds and axle, but I didn't know how your transfer case handled it. That makes a lot of sense.

Ok, the AWD explanation makes a lot of sense. It makes a lot better sense than what I previously thought.

Thanks for the explanation Ham Bone!

 

Then go buy yourself a Silverado SS.

 

Chevy/GMC made the AWD S trucks, and Blazers for a few years. (Cyclone/Typhoon) They still use the same drivetrain in the AWD Astro/Safari vans. (just no turbocharged motor. )