is adding 4WD possible

[kelly Palmer]

I have a factory 2wd expy is it possible to 4WD with ford parts. what all would i need? I have a hook-up at a salvage yard so some parts come by easier then others but I should be able to locate all i hope

 

[1955moose]

Personally I wouldn't. Theirs so many hard parts, switches, different computer, wiring etc. These 4 wheel drive systems are tough enough to get right when their straight out of Detroit, or where ever their assembly is these days. You have different transmission, and so on. My neighbor did a 4 wheel drive conversion on an 85 Chevy El Camino. It was lifted and looked like what Bruce Banner looked like after he became the incredible hulk. Why not just buy a 4 wheel drive? Is their something special about yours? What year is yours?

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[flyboy2610]

Anything is possible if you have enough money, but as 1955moose has pointed out, this would be highly impractical. You'd be better off just buying a 4WD.

 

[ExplorerTom]

Anything is possible.

Quick list:
Transfer case. Probably best to go with a manual shift case to avoid electrical problems
4wd transmission (it's shorter than a RWD)
4wd rear driveshaft (shorter)
Front drive shaft
Front axle with matching gears to the rear
CV axles
4wd steering knuckles
4wd front hubs
The front brake rotors might be different

 

[Trainmaster]

You can do anything you like with money, time and talent. Would be cheaper, faster and easier to just buy another 4 x 4 truck.

Lots to change. If you wanted it to operate like the factory trucks you'd have to see if the wiring harness is the same for the 2 wheel and the 4 wheel drive trucks. If not, you'd have to research what additions would have to be made. That wiring is probably the biggest unknown of the job. The rest would be swapping parts, an a lot of them.

 

[Dorzak]

Earth Roamer does something similar to the F-550 chassis they use for their RVs. However that is a product that costs a lot and done with an in house engineering team.

 

[1955moose]

I think Tom's list is in reality only half of what you'll need. There's so many low priced Expeditions out there, why not pick up a cheap one, go through motor/tranny, and transfer case, and your good to go. As a plus, you could sell the 2 wd one, and use the cash towards the new one. I've totally rebuilt automatic transmissions for $400.00 in parts. An engine can be rebuilt nicely for about $1500.00 or so, less in a lot of cases. Just takes your labor.

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[Plati]

Gotta love the USA! All these talented people with garage & basement shops can make anything happen if they want. That's one thing that makes this country GREAT!

My nephew in Florida is putting a GM V8 in a Toyota, not sure why - doesn't matter

 

[1955moose]

Maybe he thought it was too dependable and boring. He wants to shake things up. They use the same engines in Nascar even Toyota's. What's he going to call it, a Toychev, or a Chevtoy?

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[Plati]

I was thinkin you could add 4WD with Forscan
if you could find the spreadsheet of course ...

 

[1955moose]

Forscan can do a lot of things, but adding traction to the front wheels, that would be a good one.

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[ExplorerTom]

I converted my Explorer suspension, from what is essentially a 1st gen Expedition suspension (torsion bars and CV axles), to coil springs and a solid axle. I have a steering box from an F150, rear leaf springs (which now sit on top of the rear axle instead of under) from a Chevy 2500, transfer case from a 4 cylinder Ranger......

So like we said, anything can be done. Why didn’t I just go buy a Jeep? Because I didn’t want to.

 

[1955moose]

That's pretty cool Tom. So you've got solid axle front and rear? Doesn't get any more Truck than that. Do you have to be careful on corners? You don't have the give of independent front suspension anymore. Is your front setup pulling both front tires? Sounds like it does, perfect for Colorado.

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[ExplorerTom]

The axles still have differentials, so it’ll turn on a dime- as long as the front sway bar is disconnected (tire rubs end links).

But both diffs have Truetracs. It’s a helical limited slip. Like a clutch style but won’t wear out.

 

[Tocapet]

Maybe he thought it was too dependable and boring. He wants to shake things up. They use the same engines in Nascar even Toyota's. What's he going to call it, a Toychev, or a Chevtoy?
I once saw a Jaguar for sale with a Chevy V8 and transmission in it.
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[Tocapet]

I once saw a Jaguar for sale with a Chevy V8 and transmission in it. Wondered how it drove.

 

[Tocapet]

I had a neighbor who had one of those Sunbeam Tigers. Factory installed 260 Ford V8. He was swapping it out for a 289. I heard him fire it up and he gave me a ride. We backed out in the street and he hit it. I asked him what smells? He said "the tires" About that time they took hold and we got a huge kick in the back and instantly we were a block away.

 

[1955moose]

You think the Tiger was quick, put driving or riding in a 427 AC cobra on your bucket list. 500 horsepower in a 2500 pound short wheelbase car. Doesn't get any better neck snapping, wide grin than that ride. It's brutality at it's finest!

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[Tocapet]

Yes, but this was in 1965. The Cobra didn't exist then.