2wd to 4wd swap
#1
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#10
This is an interesting question.
It'd sure be nice to have one of these nifty 16 valve DOHC 2.3 motors in a 4x4--be a lot better on gas than the 3.0, and almost has the same hp. I used to have an old 2.3 4x4 and it had enough jam in it for off road, especially in low range. And it kept up to traffic just fine on the highway. You can still by a Tacoma with a 4 banger in a 4x4, and probably would perform similarly, and be a little better on gas too.
Probably the biggest question is if it would bolt up to the 4x4's transmission. If it does, probably the computer, wiring harness, hoses, etc from the 2x4 you are taking the engine from would plug in. But I really have no idea.
Does anyone on here have an answer for this guy? If it would work and what year/specs of 4x4 would accept the engine the easiest?
It'd sure be nice to have one of these nifty 16 valve DOHC 2.3 motors in a 4x4--be a lot better on gas than the 3.0, and almost has the same hp. I used to have an old 2.3 4x4 and it had enough jam in it for off road, especially in low range. And it kept up to traffic just fine on the highway. You can still by a Tacoma with a 4 banger in a 4x4, and probably would perform similarly, and be a little better on gas too.
Probably the biggest question is if it would bolt up to the 4x4's transmission. If it does, probably the computer, wiring harness, hoses, etc from the 2x4 you are taking the engine from would plug in. But I really have no idea.
Does anyone on here have an answer for this guy? If it would work and what year/specs of 4x4 would accept the engine the easiest?
Last edited by 07B2300; 08-12-2007 at 03:55 PM.
#11
This has been covered so many times the logistics and money it would take is insane unless you just have to keep this truck dont try this .
but heres a taste of what you will need a 4x4 trans , tranfer case , all of the 4x4 suspension and front (spindle , brakes , springs , hubs , CVs half shafts)
Electrical - wire harness , computer , switch , sensors , all gauges
ungodly amounts of tools and knowledge and fabrication
its a 3K option on trucks for a reason there is alot to make it work it would be easier cheaper to just buy a 4x4 like a old bronco or something .
but heres a taste of what you will need a 4x4 trans , tranfer case , all of the 4x4 suspension and front (spindle , brakes , springs , hubs , CVs half shafts)
Electrical - wire harness , computer , switch , sensors , all gauges
ungodly amounts of tools and knowledge and fabrication
its a 3K option on trucks for a reason there is alot to make it work it would be easier cheaper to just buy a 4x4 like a old bronco or something .
#12
#13
You wouldn't need to change the spindles or anything else he is saying. He thinks you are trying to convert a 2x4 to a 4x4, not put an engine out of a 2x4 into a 4x4.
A 4x4 transmission has a transfer case bolted onto the back of it, and so the easiest thing would be to bolt your engine on a 4x4 transmission, and hopefully someone here will be able to tell you if your engine will fit onto the transmission that comes with the 3.0 and if so what years. Otherwise there might be a way to mate the transfer case onto the back of your transmission, but it'd probably take some mucking around with the output shaft...
A 4x4 transmission has a transfer case bolted onto the back of it, and so the easiest thing would be to bolt your engine on a 4x4 transmission, and hopefully someone here will be able to tell you if your engine will fit onto the transmission that comes with the 3.0 and if so what years. Otherwise there might be a way to mate the transfer case onto the back of your transmission, but it'd probably take some mucking around with the output shaft...
#15
They did make a 4x4 with a 2.3 until the mid 90's--I used to have one--but it was with the old Lima 8 valve 2.3. A great, dependable engine but not as good on gas or as much power.
It is a totally different engine block and wouldn't think its trans would accept the duratec 2.3 or the truck would have a place for the more advanced computer and sensors and gizmos. It'd be way easier probably to mate the new 2.3 to a similar model year 4x4 because the electronics would be almost the same and the wiring harness and computer etc might just be able to be swapped in easily. But it all depends on if the engine will bolt to a 4x4 transmission. It seems likely that there should be a way to do that.
You know, the easiest thing you could do though would find a 01 or so 2x4 with a blown engine and just plug the new engine right in. And then, if you want traction, to install a detroit truetrac limited slip in the rear end. The truetrac is great and doesn't use clutches that wear out and it doesn't lower fuel economy because the limited slip doesn't engage unless its needed. Whereas putting the engine in a 4x4 would probably bring your highway mpg down about 5 mpg.
here is a review:
http://www.offroaders.com/reviewbox/...hp?product=252
and a better review from a guy who put one in a Titan and tested it with one wheel on gravel:
http://www.titantalk.com/forums/tita...an-review.html
It is a totally different engine block and wouldn't think its trans would accept the duratec 2.3 or the truck would have a place for the more advanced computer and sensors and gizmos. It'd be way easier probably to mate the new 2.3 to a similar model year 4x4 because the electronics would be almost the same and the wiring harness and computer etc might just be able to be swapped in easily. But it all depends on if the engine will bolt to a 4x4 transmission. It seems likely that there should be a way to do that.
You know, the easiest thing you could do though would find a 01 or so 2x4 with a blown engine and just plug the new engine right in. And then, if you want traction, to install a detroit truetrac limited slip in the rear end. The truetrac is great and doesn't use clutches that wear out and it doesn't lower fuel economy because the limited slip doesn't engage unless its needed. Whereas putting the engine in a 4x4 would probably bring your highway mpg down about 5 mpg.
here is a review:
http://www.offroaders.com/reviewbox/...hp?product=252
and a better review from a guy who put one in a Titan and tested it with one wheel on gravel:
http://www.titantalk.com/forums/tita...an-review.html
Last edited by 07B2300; 08-13-2007 at 11:46 AM.
#17
Originally Posted by 07B2300
You wouldn't need to change the spindles or anything else he is saying. He thinks you are trying to convert a 2x4 to a 4x4, not put an engine out of a 2x4 into a 4x4.
A 4x4 transmission has a transfer case bolted onto the back of it, and so the easiest thing would be to bolt your engine on a 4x4 transmission, and hopefully someone here will be able to tell you if your engine will fit onto the transmission that comes with the 3.0 and if so what years. Otherwise there might be a way to mate the transfer case onto the back of your transmission, but it'd probably take some mucking around with the output shaft...
A 4x4 transmission has a transfer case bolted onto the back of it, and so the easiest thing would be to bolt your engine on a 4x4 transmission, and hopefully someone here will be able to tell you if your engine will fit onto the transmission that comes with the 3.0 and if so what years. Otherwise there might be a way to mate the transfer case onto the back of your transmission, but it'd probably take some mucking around with the output shaft...
Let me throw this question out there , its a fuel injected engine and an auto tranny right hence he needs a computer and they dont make a computer for the new 2.3 engine calibrated to mate up to a 4x4 tranny . I dont think I could very well be wrong on that but I think thats going to be his biggest problem plus he is going to pretty much have to build a harness they dont make . but then again this bord has taught me anything is possible .
ps a 2x4 is a hunk of wood used to build stuff a 4x2 is a truck
#19
um, you will still need a transmission to mate up to the engine, and I don't believe there are any 4x4 transmissions with the bellhousing to match 2.3 duratec, unless of course the 2.3 duratec has the same bellhousing as the 2.3 Lima...
As for wireing you would need to wire in the entire engine wireing harness for the 2.3 along with matching the ECU from the 2.3 to the wireing of the 3.0
As for wireing you would need to wire in the entire engine wireing harness for the 2.3 along with matching the ECU from the 2.3 to the wireing of the 3.0
#20
I have kind of a similar deal going on..i have a 93 ranger 4x4 with a half blown A4LD and I'm trying to figure out if I can get away with pulling the extension housing off the automatic and putting it on in place of the tail housing on a 2wd manual trans to bolt up the transfer case?? Will this work? Btw 4.0 ohv
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