OBS 2wd >> 4wd

[mandkole]

In helping my FIL sell his 97, I was thinking about costs of conversion. Unless they've seen the truck in person, many guys would pass on this truck because its a 2wd. A 4wd truck in the same condition as this one, would get 12-13K. As nice OBSs become harder to find, this could be a good option for someone wanting to put in the work.

I've never paid attention to these conversion threads, but what would be required to do a 4wd coil front end in an OBS?

 

[sootie]

i was checking out your sale thread and had the same thoughts.

you need 05+ Parts:

steering box,
pitman arm,
coil buckets,
coils,
radius arms,
radius arm frame mounts,
brake lines,
axle assembly with steering linkage,
drag link,
track bar bracket,
shocks,

you need OBS parts:

4x4 transmission tail shaft and output housing
manual transfer case,
front drive shaft,


I have no ideas on pricing though. if it complements your sale any, i have most of the 05 parts avail

 

[kanuck15]

You wont need the steering box, brake lines, pitman arm, or track bar bracket.

The 05 axle is the easiest way to do this. Besides all the stuff to convert the trans to 4x4 the front axle is a pretty simple bolt in swap. Just a lot of drilling.

the steering box and brake lines and pitman arm can all be reused. The track bar bracket off any SD truck is useless to us unless you want to cut it into a small chunk of what it was and hope it works (I did this and it took a lot of playing with). Id get a bracket from a fab shop that fits how you want it to

 

[Lang]

You wont need the steering box, brake lines, pitman arm, or track bar bracket.

The 05 axle is the easiest way to do this. Besides all the stuff to convert the trans to 4x4 the front axle is a pretty simple bolt in swap. Just a lot of drilling.

the steering box and brake lines and pitman arm can all be reused. The track bar bracket off any SD truck is useless to us unless you want to cut it into a small chunk of what it was and hope it works (I did this and it took a lot of playing with). Id get a bracket from a fab shop that fits how you want it to

Ummm this is for a OBS truck, not a SD, not much drilling, a lot of welding. I'll be doing this build starting sometime soon.

 

[Lang]

In helping my FIL sell his 97, I was thinking about costs of conversion. Unless they've seen the truck in person, many guys would pass on this truck because its a 2wd. A 4wd truck in the same condition as this one, would get 12-13K. As nice OBSs become harder to find, this could be a good option for someone wanting to put in the work.



I've never paid attention to these conversion threads, but what would be required to do a 4wd coil front end in an OBS?

PM OBSWIZ, he's done a few if you want some info

 

[kanuck15]

I am talking about an OBS? Ive already done this swap on a truck. Have to drill something like 28 holes for the coil buckets and the radius arm mounts. Only welding is the track bar bracket IF you dont opt for a bolt on one

 

[rpm-inc]

I got pics of my swap in here.
http://powerstrokearmy.com/forums/showthread.php?t=34782

 

[mandkole]

Thanks guys-- I was just thinking about it because everyone wants a 4wd. I told the FIL that is what would hold this truck up from selling easily since few guys are looking for a 2wd. Shame because its a nice truck-- no wiring hack jobs, hamfisted parts refitting, broken plastic, rust, etc. Thats the stuff that I notice-- I lived long enough with an OBS that had been used hard.

 

[kanuck15]

Honestly if its that clean dont do the swap. Wait for the right buyer. This 05+ swap PLUS doing a 4x4 swap is the kind of thing you do when you really love your truck and want to keep it. Not something you do to sell it. Plus a lot of guys would be weary of the axle swap since most people outside the forums dont know anything about it