The Diesel Garage banner

Making a 2wd look like a 4wd

5.9K views 16 replies 8 participants last post by  customdeluxe78  
#1 ·
I'm looking at trucks and I can get a 2wd alot cheaper than the 4wd. I was just wondering whats involved in making a 2wd look like a 4wd? I would like to get 285 or 305's under it.
 
#2 ·
youd have to put some kind of lift on it so it wont sit so high in the back and low in the front maybe some beefier shocks to
 
#3 ·
I take you really want a 4x4 but don't have the cash. Buy a 2wd, save your money for a conversion to 4x4. (This is what I should have done with my 2wd 98, but was too stupid to figure it out)

2wd to 4wd conversions are becoming more and more popular. There are even some hard core off roaders out there that won't buy a 4x4 chevy (because of IFS). Instead buying 2wd's and converting 4x4 with solid front axles.

Of course if you would go threw with all this your problem would obviously be solved. This is what I really wish I would have done.
 
#4 ·
Adding those tires will cost you dearly with the MPG numbers!

Bigger tire just mean more rolling resistance, rotational mass, and require more HP/TQ to twist... The extra height in the air just mean more wind drag and less MPG numbers...

I'm all ready researching smaller tires for my truck going from 265/75 R16 to 235/85 R16 this spring... It will keep my height the same but increase my MPG with a narrower tire and lighter... About 10 pounds less that the 265/75 R16...

Write on MPG I did... Down about 2/3 of the way is the tire write up I did...
http://mopar.mopar1973man.com/tips/cummins/general/better-mpgs/better-mpgs.htm

Tire Calculator...
http://www.miata.net/garage/tirecalc.html

I'm trying to pass my old high mark of 23.7 MPG...:thumbsup

But its your truck and your money...;)
 
#5 ·
you'd be better off just buying a 4x4. the conversion is possible but the expense and work would be outragous. like phily said, it is possible and i agree with the conversion on the chevy, to get away from the ifs. but the dodge has great frontends from the factory (the dana 60), which is what people swap into the chevy's. (usually out of a 04 and earlier ford for the leaf spring set up)

but if you insist on getting a 2wd, your best bet will be to find a whole other donar truck for parts. because you will need a bunch of parts... like a front end, tranny, transfer, driveshafts, brackes, and probably crossmembers just to name a few.

good luck either way!
 
#6 ·
he just wants it to look like a 4wd he didnt say anything about making it a 4wd
 
#8 ·
alright i didnt know if ya guys just read over it quick and misread him
 
#11 ·
You won't get that much better fuel mileage. I'm 4x4 with 4.5" lift and i get just as good as our stock 2wd does. the 2wd only get 1 mpg or so better than i do.
 
#13 ·
Why not just buy a 4X4 than it will look like a 4X4. Ya you might loose 1-2 MPG over a 2 wheel drive but the benefits out weigh the MPG loss. I can't count how many times the four wheel drive saved my @#$ and how many times I have used it too pull someone out.
 
#17 ·
remember too that your speedo will be off and you'll travel farther than your odometer says, which will look like your milage is worse than in accually is. i'm not saying bigger tire dont affect mileage, im just saying it's not quite as bad as it seems. for example you will travel 110 miles and your odo says you only traveled 100 or 105 or 90 or whatever. all depending on the jump in tire size...

just something to keep in mind