2wd to 4wd conversion

[Hudson Bend]

I knew that comment would get me ragged but hear me out. Your weights to one side and the opposite side is spinning freely in the mud, just how much of your engine's torque is getting to the traction wheels? 10%? Less? Unless you've got both wheels down and grabbing similarly your open diff works at a fraction of its potential whereas a locked rear would give you closer to 100% of available power. Offroad how often do you lose traction in front and/or rear wheels cantilevered, in mud or over rocks. Why is it that you lock your diffs as soon as you can?

The OP is young and may or may not be a super mechanic. What are the odds? Whatever, my advice was tendered based upon things he could do to improve the existing performance of the existing machine...things he could do if he were a normal high school kid in a world without automotive classes. He can mod his suspension for larger tires, he can improve his off roading with a rear locker. Doesn't hurt, does it? If he manages to pull off the front end d30, will he want to take the locker out? is a worthwhile forum but at times exhibits steroidial type tirades if a comment isn't up to body builders level of mechanical fitness. I have my opinion, and you have yours. I based mine on the OP being in high school and living in NC. I based mine on knowing several damn good(at times) offroaders using locked 2wd units and having a blast without succumbing to such a narrow minded view of off roading. And for me, this is real.

 

[urbexx]

OP doesn't need to be a super mechanic. Everything involved in a swap is a bolt on part. Like was mentioned before, most of the work involved in putting a lift in is the same work needed to do an axle swap, especially if control arms are getting swapped out.

Sure, a locker helps, but it's not suddenly going to make a 2WD truck as capable as a 4WD. Hell, my current XJ that's set up as an open/open rig has repeatedly shown up fully locked Rubicons. There's also the advantage of low range that the 2WD trucks don't have.

Like I said previously, a lot of depends on the terrain. Out here in AZ, you'd be insane to try to run most of our trails in a 2WD, locked up or not. The only guys that stand half a chance are the super light dune buggy type setups, and even then they're beating the crap out of their rigs trying to do even minor trails. I've seen plenty of people that think they know better than everyone else that try to bring their 2WD trucks out to play.....then I get to go in to pull them back out. If you're playing on dirt roads, dunes, or open desert, then no...4WD is not an absolute requirement.

 

[Curtis_H]

This may sound like im being sarcastic, but I really mean it. Its just parts. People send to take everything too seriously, and worry too much about the risk involved, and they miss out on alot of projects that they could have accomplished had they just tried. Tear into it, learn alot while you do it, and then feel the pride of driving something you built. IF you should happen to ruin the entire jeep while trying, which i HIGHLY doubt, so be it, Ill bet you learned alot from the experience anyway. There is no better way to learn than by doing. Don't worry so much about your skiills as your wallet. You obviously have internet access, and that is all the teaching you will ever need. GO FOR IT PANSY MAN!!! lol