I know this is a long shot, but has anyone converted a 02 1500 Quad Cab from IFS to a solid front axle? I'm about to do some extreme modifications to my truck for off-road reasons, and I hate IFS with a passion. If so, could you post some pictures and what you did and how you did it. Is it possible to just substitute in the front end setup of a 2500 or 3500? Yeah I know I should have forked out the money for a 2500, but you gotta work with what you have.

 

I have never done the conversion, but i feel like giving my .02 cents on the subject.

Why do you want to dump the IFS? Unless your setting the truck up for rockcrawling in my opinion your making a mistake. IFS performs smoother, obtains more travel, sustains higher speed abuse than a solid axle clould.

But if your doing low speed rock crawling, go for the swap!

 

Instead of doing a swap, why not trade in the 02 for a Power Wagon or 3/4 ton with the setup you want??? I think you'd be asking for a TON of problems trying to swap the IFS with a solid axle.

 

I did it on a ford, really not that hard to do if you have welding/fabrication skills.

Pull everything out, mock up the new springs, bars, shocks and front end. Cut off the mounts you do not need. Weld the new mounts in. You may have to add a crossmember. Definitely measure everything 10 times before you start cutting/welding.

It's a lot easier than it sounds. You'll still have a 1/2 ton rear end though, that swap should be a lot easier.

Have you thought about ABS problems? On some vehicles, 3/4 ton Fords, the ABS sensor is also the speedo sending unit. Probably have to make your own brake lines.

 

I also plan on doing a swap but not for another year or two. I hope to do front and rear at the same time. The biggest concern i have is the steering. I think that will be the biggest challenge.

I'm hoping to run dynatrac pro 60's front and rear.
http://www.dynatrac.com/site/index.html
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Thanks for all the input. I'm considering the swap because I plan on making my truck either a capable rock crawler (something I have never seen done with a QC and I think it would be more challenging than building another Jeep) or a show truck. I know, two completely different ways of thinking. Although much is still in the planning stages, the one thing I know is that the IFS must go. If I go the crawler route, you can't beat the reliablility of a dynatrac 60. The IFS just has too many moving parts. It's ment to give a comfortable ride, not cater to off road situations (with the exception of the H1). But the debate of what gives bettter articulation, solid axle or IFS, will never be resolved. If I go with the show truck, I'm going to be wanting to run 44" Boggers, something that is next to impossible to accomplish with an IFS.
I know some may say I am crazy for wanting to do some of this stuff, but it's a sickness. Once you start modifying trucks, you never stop. And it only gets worse when you get your hands on a welder. And why not do it with a Power Wagon? 1.Because I don't have $40,000 for a new truck. 2. Everyone and their dog will be doing something crazy with those trucks. I'm just trying something new. When I lifted my 93 Grand Cherokee 8 years ago, everyone thought I was crazy. Look around now, they plague 4x4 magizines.

 

If it was me, I'd trade the truck in for a HD Ram, preferably a powerwagon. On the other hand, there is a company out therer that sells kits for a 3rd gen ram solid axle swap. I can't remember what the name of company is. Can anyone think of the name? In the long run, I bet the HD Ram would give you less grief. And if the solid axles in the HD ram weren't bigger enough, then swap those out for something stronger. Good luck with what ever you choose.