2 wheel drive conversion to 4 wheel drive

[Parent12]

Hello,
I do not know if anyone can help me. Bought a 1989 Ford Ranger XLS, stripped it down, plan on rebuilding the whole truck (from wiring to everything else).
Have almost completed interior, ripped out everything to inspect floor and roof for leaks, checked all wiring. Almost done interior now, all is left are the seats that I must cover (change material).
My question is the following:

I plan on converting this truck to a 4X4. (from original 2X4). what are ALL the parts that I will need to do this? Am just a Jack-of-all-trades, can do almost anything. this is my project for the next little while.

can anyone help me?

Marcel

All I need to know are ALL the parts that I will need to add or replace in order to convert this truck to a 4x4.
thanks

[fordin K]

you will need alot. transfer case, possible crossmember, front drive and components, shifter and pan to accomadate shifter. here is a site I like to look at ford truck enthusiasts. it's ALL about ford trucks and everything related to them. good luck.

[2000mudder]

best thing to do is get a doner truck. then you have every part you need.it's expensive to buy all new stuff!!!

[maestrojv]

I am doing the same project..lol I bought a second donor for the parts for mine. I used the complete chasis and drivetrain from an 88.

Is your truck built before or after oct 89? You definitely will require different front end assembly. that is you will require the heavier Twin I beam axle and suspension assemblies and hubs assembly. the 89 uses the same as the earlier 85-88 units with a Dana 28 front differential and a Ford 7.5 rear as standard in the 4x4 with 28 spline axles. You must make sure to have the same gearing both front and back. Mine is 3.73 ring and pinion. standard I belive in the 4x models (but not sure) Plus, the stock 89 2x rear differential will prob be an open posi and you will want at least one step up from that to the ford locking diff.. is not quite a true locking posi but far less expensive than other upgrades. Steering box and shaft should be adequate in the 89 or very close. If you have an automatic you are in for a long process to convert as you will require a more expensive electronic transfer case and will have to obtain all the electrical dash components. If is a standard you will require a manual shifting assembly and transfer case to control the shifting from 2x mode to 4x mode. and you will have to modify the floor pan to accomodate the extra shifter and linkage.

Whew, a lot of extra work to do. I would suggest as someone else here did that you find a donor for the chassis and drivetrain and just flip over your remodeled body and engine. Will save you tons of headaches in the long haul. Hope I havent missed anything here. feel free to point out anything I may have missed.

John

[Martsy]

wlp, i have a 89 4x4 bronco II that i will sell you? haha, but yah if you are making it 4x4 the passenger side i-beam mount on the frame is located in a different spot then a 2x4, so you will have to make a new bracket of some sort, i was gonna switch out my 4x4 for just 2 whell drive on my bronco, but then i picked up a 93 minttt ranger that is my new project truck.