Convert to a 4wd?

inked_redneck86 · #1 05-09-2007, 05:10 PM

Hey

I have 2000 Jeep Grand Cherokee Larado. I love my jeep (Stanley as we call him). I dont want to really by another vehicle. I was wondering what it takes to get him from a 2wd to a 4wd.

People say it would just be easier to buy a 4x4 vehicle, but i only paid 1500 for the jeep itself. So i was wondering how much and what i would need to convert to a 4wd.

-Autumn-

78GMC · #2 05-09-2007, 10:40 PM

If you look a little lower, you will see that this was covered on an XJ earlier. Most of us suggest you go sell the 2wd and buy a 4wd. Saves a lot of trouble, time, and money.

NIX · #3 05-15-2007, 04:31 AM

Or buy a cheap parts 4wd XJ. Sell the engine and other stuff or buy it without it. Als long as the TC, front driveshaft and frontaxle are in it.

Not sure if you need to change the tranny and rear DS. I think it's only a conus at the tranny, but I'm not sure.

inked_redneck86 · #4 05-20-2007, 12:41 PM

i understand that it would be better if i was to just go out and buy myself a 4wd jeep....but the way i see it is. i bought this jeep for 1500....if i spend 3000 to convert it, the total of the jeep would be 4500. which is still less than some 4wd 2000 larado's i have seen. and about the time part. i think it would be quick to install the 4wd, than sit and wait to get enough money to buy a 4wd jeep.

did i make sense?

piaa_nissan · #5 05-20-2007, 02:35 PM

If it will be quick feel free to tackle the project and give us a write up detailing your experience. you can do a search on many boards and this question has been answered many times and the one factor is that it's time consuming. Find a wrecked rig and start swapping parts out. Don't forget there would also have to be some wiring changes along with all the mechanical parts. Good Luck and keep us posted!

piaa_nissan · #6 05-20-2007, 02:43 PM

You might try asking over here as well: Pirate4x4.Com Bulletin Board - Powered by vBulletin

JeepDawg · #7 05-22-2007, 10:13 AM

I just realized that I don't know what the front of a 2wd Grand looks like.

'Assuming' you could bolt up the new front axle, I see the other items as needing attention...

1. Transmission and transfer case
2. Shorter rear driveshaft
3. New center console to handle the xfer case shifter
4. Vehicle wiring? On the newer engines, the computer needs to know that you are in 4wd Lo so that the reading off the speedo does not throw off the shift points.

If you had a donor of the same year, it may not be that bad....'assuming' the frame attachment points are the same between 2 and 4wd models.

I say do it....it's about time someone proved or disproved the issue.

Take plenty of pictures...

craigdge · #8 05-22-2007, 10:18 PM

JeepDawg is most likely correct I think. I believe it's about time somebody did this conversion. I've been thinking about buying a 2wd Cherokee myself (price is pretty decent), and since the boss has a few junkers lying around, it might not be too tough to swap parts.

Reading around the BroncoII forums, and apparently in the case of the BII, it's a simple matter of hooking in the Tcase, and drive shafts, nothing more needed. Oh yeah and levers or electronics, but that's a given... right?

I've only seen one 2 wheel drive Cherokee- it was an '84 with the old 2.8 V6, and I was like 5 years old when I watched my Dad put a new engine in it. I have no clue how the front end looked, but there might be some old Polaroids of it somewhere in a box. Maybe even some VHS video too.