2wd to 4wd

TrucksGetDirty · 05-09-2008, 09:01 AM

I currently own a 2wd B3000 and I want to convert it into a 4wd.
What all would I have to do?

I have no plans of getting rid of the thing, it is build like a rock... hasn't giving me a bit of problem since I bought it.

Thank you
Katie

greasemonkey · 05-09-2008, 09:27 AM

Check out the 4x4 forum for the answer to this question. Honestly its not worth it though, youd be better off trading it for a 4x4.

Fordin Mazda · 05-10-2008, 08:58 AM

Converting a 2wd to 4wd is going to cost you alot more, than it would be to pick up a cheap B-4x4.

Plus 4wd only gets you 400ft further than you should have anyways

TrucksGetDirty · 05-10-2008, 01:23 PM

Quote:

Plus 4wd only gets you 400ft further than you should have anyways

What?

Its not cheaper to buy another 4x4 fun truck insted of putting work into a 2wd in the long run because of insurance and paying for gas on two trucks.

greasemonkey · 05-10-2008, 03:33 PM

No trade the 2x4 on a 4x4. That way you only have one truck to worry about. The work is very time consuming and you need a donor truck for the drivetrain. The frames arent even the same, not saying it cant be done, but it isnt cost effective or sensible to waste time and money throwing it at a 7 year old truck. You would be better off getting a different truck.

Fordin Mazda · 05-10-2008, 08:33 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by TrucksGetDirty

What?

Its not cheaper to buy another 4x4 fun truck insted of putting work into a 2wd in the long run because of insurance and paying for gas on two trucks.

I have a buddy who has more money than brains. He converted a B2200 to a full on 4x4. It costed him another $3000 for the donor truck, plus the $4000 he paid for his truck, plus the cost of having someone put it all together for him. He was into the truck for almost $20,000 at that point. When he broke it, it cost him another $5000 to have it put back together. He could have saved himself over $15,000 if he had just stuck with the B2600i 4x4.

I dont know about Texas, but here in Canada you can buy Temporary Insurance for weekends to play with the toys offroad. If you trailer it, you dont need insurance.

So is it really worth it for you to try and convert a B3000 to a 4x4.

TrucksGetDirty · 05-11-2008, 03:47 PM

Ah. I see your point.

Fordin Mazda · 05-11-2008, 05:22 PM

Also aside from deep mud, anywhere a 4x4 can go, a 2x4 can go just as well. Get yourself a winch and a come-a-long and you'll do just fine.

just remember: NEVER *Off-Road* Alone.

75K30 · 05-11-2008, 06:19 PM

This is always an interesting topic, and many have different views on this.
I believe the Mazda truck you are tryiing to modify uses an a-arm front suspension. It also uses a torsion bar front end, so this is where the fabrication becomes very involved.
You will need some sort of straight axle, and a way to steer it, so there will be quite a bit of fabrication here.
You will have to find a method to suspend the vehicle, and perhaps the easiest would be a coil over shock. While these are not cheap, they are the easiest to use.
I do not recall if this truck uses a rack and pinion style steering, or it uses a conventional box. If a conventional box is used, then modifying it to steer a front axle will be easy.
Next the most important thing is installing a transfer case. If you run a married case like those used in Rangers, you will have to take the entire transmission completely apart to change out the output shaft, and adapter.
Trying to find a divorced transfer case would be the best bet here, and will allow you to still run the 2wd transmission, and leave it untouched.
This does mean that you will have to have three new driveshafts made. Getting the speedo to work properly can also prove to be a challenge, especially in 4wd low range. The speedo will indicate a much faster speed than you are really running. No big deal though.
Well, if you can find a divorced transfer case, and some method to design and fabricate the necessary items to get a front axle under there, then you are golden, but this is neither cheap, nor is it easy.
Lots of work here, and I mean lots of work.

TrucksGetDirty · 05-12-2008, 09:08 AM

Ya. I think I will just go with a winch... sounds much eaiser with less problems.

Anyone want to give me the details on what type of winch I should invest in?

05-09-2008, 09:01 AM	#1
TrucksGetDirty Full Member Join Date: May 2008 Location: Florida Posts: 27	2wd to 4wd I currently own a 2wd B3000 and I want to convert it into a 4wd. What all would I have to do? I have no plans of getting rid of the thing, it is build like a rock... hasn't giving me a bit of problem since I bought it. Thank you Katie

05-09-2008, 09:27 AM	#2
greasemonkey Senior Member Join Date: Jun 2007 Location: Somewhere, PA Posts: 568	Check out the 4x4 forum for the answer to this question. Honestly its not worth it though, youd be better off trading it for a 4x4. __________________ "My trucks a little old but that don't mean shes slow"

05-10-2008, 08:58 AM	#3
Fordin Mazda Full Member Join Date: May 2008 Location: N.Vancouver BC, Canada Posts: 132	Converting a 2wd to 4wd is going to cost you alot more, than it would be to pick up a cheap B-4x4. Plus 4wd only gets you 400ft further than you should have anyways __________________ My Mazda will probably out live my Ford. Both are over 200,000 miles. Never look at gift horse directly in the mouth. They chew with their mouth open....

05-10-2008, 03:33 PM	#5
greasemonkey Senior Member Join Date: Jun 2007 Location: Somewhere, PA Posts: 568	No trade the 2x4 on a 4x4. That way you only have one truck to worry about. The work is very time consuming and you need a donor truck for the drivetrain. The frames arent even the same, not saying it cant be done, but it isnt cost effective or sensible to waste time and money throwing it at a 7 year old truck. You would be better off getting a different truck. __________________ "My trucks a little old but that don't mean shes slow"

05-11-2008, 05:22 PM	#8
Fordin Mazda Full Member Join Date: May 2008 Location: N.Vancouver BC, Canada Posts: 132	Also aside from deep mud, anywhere a 4x4 can go, a 2x4 can go just as well. Get yourself a winch and a come-a-long and you'll do just fine. just remember: NEVER Off-Road Alone. __________________ My Mazda will probably out live my Ford. Both are over 200,000 miles. Never look at gift horse directly in the mouth. They chew with their mouth open....

05-11-2008, 03:47 PM	#7
TrucksGetDirty Full Member Join Date: May 2008 Location: Florida Posts: 27	Ah. I see your point.

05-11-2008, 06:19 PM	#9
75K30 Senior Member Join Date: Jul 2006 Posts: 2,128	This is always an interesting topic, and many have different views on this. I believe the Mazda truck you are tryiing to modify uses an a-arm front suspension. It also uses a torsion bar front end, so this is where the fabrication becomes very involved. You will need some sort of straight axle, and a way to steer it, so there will be quite a bit of fabrication here. You will have to find a method to suspend the vehicle, and perhaps the easiest would be a coil over shock. While these are not cheap, they are the easiest to use. I do not recall if this truck uses a rack and pinion style steering, or it uses a conventional box. If a conventional box is used, then modifying it to steer a front axle will be easy. Next the most important thing is installing a transfer case. If you run a married case like those used in Rangers, you will have to take the entire transmission completely apart to change out the output shaft, and adapter. Trying to find a divorced transfer case would be the best bet here, and will allow you to still run the 2wd transmission, and leave it untouched. This does mean that you will have to have three new driveshafts made. Getting the speedo to work properly can also prove to be a challenge, especially in 4wd low range. The speedo will indicate a much faster speed than you are really running. No big deal though. Well, if you can find a divorced transfer case, and some method to design and fabricate the necessary items to get a front axle under there, then you are golden, but this is neither cheap, nor is it easy. Lots of work here, and I mean lots of work.

05-12-2008, 09:08 AM	#10
TrucksGetDirty Full Member Join Date: May 2008 Location: Florida Posts: 27	Ya. I think I will just go with a winch... sounds much eaiser with less problems. Anyone want to give me the details on what type of winch I should invest in?

Thread Tools	Search this Thread
Show Printable Version Email this Page	Search this Thread: Advanced Search