thats what everyone keeps saying, but why? i don't doubt you that its a lot of work, of that i'm aware. is it the new brackets that need to be welded on that seems so difficult? because once the new brackets are on, i dont see there being much of a difference, its just bolt on the 4wd stuff and sort out the computer/transmission/transfer case issues (< woohoo fun!?) if there is a huge structural issue im missing please point it out!

if there are major differences in the frames then i can see it being a huge PITA, and thats what im trying to sort out. swapping the cab... then the new frame might be tweaked, thats re wiring EVERYTHING into the new engine bay, i'd rather swap the front suspension. again i'm trying to see what's involved, and depending the amount of parts ( rack/pinion, spindles, front/rear LCA mounting points etc ) that can be reused will be a huge determining factor. at the very least i'd like to figure out the differences between the two so if this ever comes up again there will be a clear answer!

stunt-

I'm down with a lot of fab work, but I' m not converting to a 4 link anytime soon, at least not in the truck, the camaro maybe... great idea's though i'd love to see someone do it in a third gen ram

 

i dont know alot about this but im sure the axles front and rear are different from 4x2 to 4x4 i know in 4x2 you can use 4.88s in the rear in a 4x4 the highest gear ratio is 4.56's theres definite difference....

 

Actually I was thinking of doing the four link / coil over on my truck that's why I mentioned it.

I like my vehicles to handle!

 

sorry man i'm not here for drama i'm here for some tech Q&A. did not ask for opinions if its worth my time or if i can do it, his post was unnecessary and offered zero positive info to the thread, i don't need a lecture.

Well as much as im attached to this cab, if i was to do a chassis swap i'd need to purchase a wrecked chassis and swap the WHOLE cab over, at which point i'd rather just buy a truck, swap over just my mods (way less work), put the new trucks stock parts on my truck and sell it. i know do that with a 4x4 truck... well i'm trying to hang onto my cab, BUT if the suspension swap is way to much fab i may be left with no choice! thats why im trying to sort out exactly what "fab" is needed.

again sorry i'm just tired of the same old "you cant, its a bad idea" you get at any forum, especially when your a newb. i'd also love to make this just work just because i enjoy working on the truck

 

im not in to lecture by any means and its not a matter of you being new it might just be a factor of beating a dead horse.....and if your getting it in every forum take it with a grain of salt....and like i said the guys here are just trying to help just like on the other forums....

 

haha no not towards me on other forums, its the general mentality of everyone it seems when someone suggests something new, every forum has a mold that everyone tends to defend, just how it is. anyways, i just received the parts manual - Thanks hemilonestar! - so ill at least post up the differences and what it would take to do this swap

 

well good luck to ya... take lots of pics and post em up as your build progresses....

 

I remember some time back when a guy did a SRT10 conversion and he did as said above, you bought a wrecked rolling chassis and did a body swap. It was the easist way to go with the less time and money involved.

 

Just my two cents worth on the matter. If you are trying to build a one of a kind truck that is truly different than something off the shelf then the price/time thing is truly irrelevent. However if you are just trying to get a good solid working 4x4 on the cheap thinking that your time is free then consider the fact that when you are done you will most likely have something that noone else will trust or want when it comes time to sell or trade it. You will have sunk a lot of money into a project that might only have killed the value of the 4x2 that you currently have. Either way good luck with the decision and any future work on whatever truck/project you get into.

 

You'll need a lot of new parts, It can be done. You'll need an adapter for the tranny, a transfer case to match up with it as well as fab up new mounts for the case. The easiest way is to trash all the ifs stuff and put leafs with a straight axle setup. Also, use a manual locking axle so you don't have to mess with putting a switch or any electronics in it. You'll need to run a handle through the cab also for your 4hi/lo on the transfer case. When you do put in the axle, if that's what you want to do, make sure you put the same gear ratio in the front and back I believe or you'll run into blowing 'em out. It's some work, but if you want a good project truck and not to do this on the weekend to your daily driver, I say go for it!!! Post up pics and keep us informed, I'd like to see it actually done instead of just talked about. I'm sure I left a bunch of little stuff out you're gonna run into, I just tried to hit on the big stuff that you KNOW you're gonna need. You should be able to have any driveline shop fab you up a driveshaft for the front and possibly shorten the current one, because of the adaptor you'll have to put on your tranny to mate with the transfer case.