I have a 1997 Ram 2500HD Club Cab Laramie SLT with a 155" WB, Cummins 5.9L Diesel. Vehicle is 2WD from Texas originally, now in Michigan. Conflicting reports if conversion to 4WD is even possible. Was the 155" WB even offered in 4WD in 1997 model year? Was told need new frame to convert. Please help! Thx

 

Anything is possible..... Going to a spring-over-axle (leaf spring front) would be easiest. Swapping over all the dodge parts would be a job..... swapping the body to a 4wd frame would be the next easiest.... Just buying a 4x4 truck would more than likely end up being the least expensive, quickest, and easiest method.

 

Yes a diesel tho. 4x4 diesel sell for almost their gross curb weight in gold.

 

So THAT is where those prices come from. I knew there was something there...... Damn but they are expensive.....

 

The frame is going to be your biggest hurdle.

My truck, according to Dodge, was a white Canadian quad cab 2wd when it left the factory.

Now it's green, has a US cluster, red paint under the green on the bed, and it's got a np241 hanging off the back of the trans.

It's still missing the front axle. That is indeed going to be the biggest bugger. The frame is definitely different, as the control arm brackets don't exist on the 4x4, and the engine crossover may have a hump for front axle clearance, amongst other stuff.