ok, i've got a question for you guys. would it be cheaper to convert the truck I have now (1988 Ford F-150 Custom 5.8L 351 Windsor 2wd w/independant front suspension) to 4wd or would I be better off getting a new one. also, if anyone happens to know, about what would I spend to do that (ballpark figure, in US$)?
It would be a LOT cheaper to buy a 4x4. To convert it over, you would have to change the entire drive train and a good part of the front suspension. Couldn't even guess on the cost, but I would think that just the labor alone would pay for a nice 4x4.
mmmm windsor i love the windsors, the clevelands are nice, but they don't seem to have the ease of modifying.... as for a 2wd to 4wd conversion, you'll have to find a front transaxle as well as the drive shaft.... might be lucky enough to find an old one at a junk yard and be able to rip it out of that.... a junk yard will probably charge you $300 or so for parts.... then you'll have to adjust the suspension for a new ride heigt & weight, as well as the handling geometries.... might be better off getting a lift kit to do that.... and then taking it to a dealer or garage to get the handling right figure in the end if you do the change out for the transaxle & drive shaft, as well as the suspension yourself, then garage time & towing to the garage (never drive a vehicle thats had a ton of suspension work done until after its aligned unless its less than 2 miles to the garage) probably in the range of $4000.... which could get you a smaller used 4wd truck or jeep (early 90s end of 80s S10, Ranger or Wrangler, possibly even Cherokee)
djengiz: not sure on the bhp's, just got the truck a couple of months ago, and haven't had a chance to check anything. It still needs a lot of work before it's at top performance. In case you're interested in big fast engines (who isnt?) Jegs Motorsports has a chevy racing engine with a 540 cubic inch displacement, and it puts out 800hp and something like 680 lb/ft of torque. I couldn't find it on their site, but I saw it in their latest catalog, so if you want I can get the part number and get you a link to it. cderalow: thanks for the help man. I was figuring a lot more than $4k, so that sounds fairly reasonable. plus, I'm still trying to figure out whether I want it customized for off-roading, or for racing, if not both.
