Love my truck but really want/need 4x4

Well, I'm still around, and have a good collection of parts, that's for sure. How bad shape is this donor in?

I do have a couple front axles, and one complete '88 rolling frame with front and rear axles under it.

To echo an earlier idea, you can have a very strong 4x4 with a Dana 50. Same wheel bearings as a 60, strong gearset, and lots of people almost throw them away to upgrade to a 60. I bought a spare d50 axle, complete for $110. Dont expect to find a deal like that but do expect to buy one for less than $300. Find a part out truck drive shaft from a truck with your same trans. Guys up here in Wisconsin sell these for less than $40.

There is more to the story here for a full conversion, but do seriously consider a D50. Demand for the "pinnacle" D60 means you can score a D50 for cheap.

lotzagoodstuff said:

Sounds like you are going to bite the bullet and do the 4WD, but a locker rear end and genuine winter tires would help you a lot. Putting a load in the bed will help too.

Don't let me talk you out of a good project, but a locker, an extra set of rims and two new snow specific sneakers could be an easier solution. By the way: if you still feel like doing the conversion, your locker and new tires are still usable.

Good luck to you, whichever way you go

Click to expand...

Have you ever had a 4x4? Once you have one, nothing else will do.

How is a locker compared to a limited slip differential (which mine has).

I have two 4x4 suburbans and love them in the snow.

This is the truck, probably driveable, if not I can get a 10k rated trailer for $112 per day. https://seattle.craigslist.org/see/cto/d/port-townsend-diesel/6955960076.html


Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

It looks pretty good for 1K.

Matt_INW said:

How is a locker compared to a limited slip differential (which mine has).

Click to expand...

Heh. A locker actually works
2 tire every time you're on the skinny pedal.

I just don't like them as much with an auto. Never seems to unlock (lockrights anyway).

I never liked limited slip or a locker type rearend in the snow, unless it's the type you can turn off. I have found with a locker, once I start spinning the rear of the truck is headed for the ditch, whichever side it decides to head for at the time. With a open rearend, one wheel spins and it makes slow or no progress and stays in the roadway, much easier to control.

franklin2 said:

With a open rearend, one wheel spins and it makes slow or no progress and stays in the roadway, much easier to control.

Click to expand...

In my experience, a Detroit or Lockright gets my 2wd to work in the snow. The open diff... I miss that day's pay.

u2slow said:

In my experience, a Detroit or Lockright gets my 2wd to work in the snow. The open diff... I miss that day's pay.

Click to expand...

Tires make a HUGE difference. Everyone says 2wd duallys suck in the snow. Daily drove mine all winter last year in NY and never had a problem. It's an open diff.

I'm not saying it'll always happen, and winter varies by location, I'm just saying over the years I've noticed that the tires you run WILL make or break snow traction. My truck got around better than the wife's Jeep!