4x2 to 4x4 conversion discussion thread

[AaronsX]

I want this to be a discussion/brainstorming thread for all the possible ways of doing this.
Talking about parts you need, amount of labor, and $$$
There are 3 ways I know of going about converting.
-Pull all necessary 4x4 parts off a 4x4 X and swap them for all the 4x2 parts on your X.
-A transplant...or moving your body + engine and all onto the frame and suspension of a wrecked 4x4 xterra's
-Or the hardcore offroader's SAS.

Im actually getting interested in the second option because you can find X's that have been rolled at salvage yards for under $1,000. And after that all you would have to do is drop your engine and body onto is frame and suspension and then subtract and add the things like transfer case and all right?

Also please, please don't add in the "the best option is to sell it and get a 4x4 X" I know in some cases that is the best option. But when you are a full time broke student who has invested the little money he has into tires, lift, repairs, stereo, cb, things like that its just not justified to sell it and start over.
One last edit I have thought the easiest way would be to buy a wrecked xterra that matches mine the best and taking what I need or doing the transplant...then to make some of the money up scrapping or parting out the totaled X for $.

 

[granitex]

It would be easier to get a wrecked 4x4 and take all of the parts that you need to make it yours a 4x4. You would still would be able to use all of the current mods that you have done.

A body swap is a lot more complicated and costly than you are giving it credit for.

 

[TheFauxFox]

It would be easier to get a wrecked 4x4 and take all of the parts that you need to make it yours a 4x4. You would still would be able to use all of the current mods that you have done.

A body swap is a lot more complicated and costly than you are giving it credit for.

That is definitely the cheaper route, but with that, I'd still swap out for some new parts depending on the damage done. If you go this route, you'd have to be careful to check a few small things such as gear ratios. Don't want to drop a 4.6 gear ratio into a 4.9.

 

[TN4x4Xterra]

SAS it, enuff said!

In all seriousness, there was a member over TNX that did this body swap you are talking about but he had a SAS'd X and didn't want to "junk" it after rolling it over so he did the body swap to keep his SAS'd frame/engine/etc but it was very complicated swap and required a team of guys to "lift" the body over to the SAS'd rig and take the damaged body out of the original frame for the new body. His name was Maxswede, I believe.

 

[Deadpilot]

Agreed SAS it!

Im currently in the process to gather parts for my conversion. If ya wanna check out my page
http://www.xterranation.org/showthread.php?t=357

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[Macland]

Buy a 4x4 Xterra.

 

[Roadwarrior]

Mac, you don't read well do you? I keed I keed, but I don't think Aaron wants to sell his rig and buy another. As he stated at the bottom of his post.

But I think that buying a totaled X and switching over the parts would be better, cheaper and easier on your wallet.

 

[Xterradude05]

It would be easier to buy a wrecked Xterra and complete the switch but the issue is there are not many around here that are wrecked.. I have been on the hunt for some 2nd gen and 1st gen... Nothing much found.

 

[TN4x4Xterra]

It would be easier to buy a wrecked Xterra and complete the switch but the issue is there are not many around here that are wrecked.. I have been on the hunt for some 2nd gen and 1st gen... Nothing much found.

Your X is 4x4, right? Are you looking for a trail beater rig?

 

[Macland]

Mac, you don't read well do you? I keed I keed, but I don't think Aaron wants to sell his rig and buy another. As he stated at the bottom of his post.

But I think that buying a totaled X and switching over the parts would be better, cheaper and easier on your wallet.

Haha, sorry I missed that part. I guess if I was dealing with this issue I'd be looking to start over with a 4x4. Sorry, carry on

 

[Xterradude05]

Your X is 4x4, right? Are you looking for a trail beater rig?

Yeah, mine is 4X4. Basically, yeah. just trying to find one I can use on the crazier trails because I baby my X and some of the trails I want to drive on, I would never dare to try in mine.

 

[TheFauxFox]

It would be easier to buy a wrecked Xterra and complete the switch but the issue is there are not many around here that are wrecked.. I have been on the hunt for some 2nd gen and 1st gen... Nothing much found.

If you head south to Nashville and then either east to Lebanon or south to M'borro, there are a few. More times than not, you can also find them in auctions (both public and private), but they'll be difficult to bid on. Know people.

 

[Muadeeb]

It's down here near me, but check this out http://dallas.craigslist.org/ftw/pts/2842553687.html.

My wife has family in Arkadelphia so a meetup may be possible.

 

[AaronsX]

TN: I saw that guys thread after he rolled his that is where I got the idea. If I'm going to take the conversion route id like to buy and do everything at one time...not buy it piece by piece. Thats how id run out of money. So I would price it all, save up, then make the purchase.
I have also consider going the winch and locker route but that looks as thought it would almost be the same price as a 4x4 conversion... Its going to be tough to find a X that will match my gears and all and that doesn't have a crap ton of front end damage. Im thinking rolled X's that have been totaled are my best bet compared to ones that have ahd collisions.

I also want to through in I typed this up before going to bed then had a VERY realistic dream that I rolled my X...crazy stuff.

Edit: Mechpatt is in the process of doing the part swap, but he's been MIA from XN so I don't know his conversion status.

 

[drbandkgb]

If this was me id just SAS the thing.. Either way your looking at a lot of money... In the long run it may be better to just buy an older X that is 4x4..
Im seeing 2000-2004s in the 3 to 7 k range... To do it right and SAS it your looking in that range.. So you better really!!!!! love that X to do it

 

[TheFauxFox]

If this was me id just SAS the thing.. Either way your looking at a lot of money... In the long run it may be better to just buy an older X that is 4x4..
Im seeing 2000-2004s in the 3 to 7 k range... To do it right and SAS it your looking in that range.. So you better really!!!!! love that X to do it

SSHHHHHHH!!! Don't give away my project. jk.

I totally agree with this, but the only problem is price. I've been pricing the SAS process from a 2wd standpoint and its a hard price to bear. There are some things that require certain tools, know-how, or good connections. A problem I'm running into is re-gearing. Gears aren't cheap (or coilovers... or axles... or the Calmini kit... or even the raw materials) and unless you think you can do it, its expensive as hell to re-gear one axle, much more for two. Then you've gotta buy new tires to balance out the look... and probably sliders (if you don't have some already). I'm definitely not trying talk you out of it for sure. Its a good major.

 

[Deadpilot]

^ very true. Im looking at about 6k to do mine and some of my stuff is cheap but then again im gonna spend alittle more for better stuff. But I love my X and don't wanna to sell it and start all over with a new or used X but that's just me. And I wanna have a rig that I can say I built it the way I want it

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[TheFauxFox]

^ very true. Im looking at about 6k to do mine and some of my stuff is cheap but then again im gonna spend alittle more for better stuff. But I love my X and don't wanna to sell it and start all over with a new or used X but that's just me. And I wanna have a rig that I can say I built it the way I want it

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This.

There is a lot of fabrication to keep it on the cheap.

 

[J Everett]

I'm with Deadpilot. I want to say, when it's all over and done with, that I built it myself to my specs. So, I plan to source my axles/diffs from a wrecked Titan, Armada or V8 Pathfinder and use the majority of my budget for an Atlas II T/C. Partially because I know how well my Xterra has been maintained and don't want to chance a used rig, and partly because if I trade for a new rig then I'm paying for a front diff and transfer case I don't really want. Building it my way or selling altogether and buying a sports car (the speed bug has been biting hard lately) are the only options I'm considering.

And I don't really want to do an SAS, because, while it's going to end up not being a DD, I still want it to have that ability. I want to be able to drive to Tennessee for an NXM event (or GONE or wherever), wheel, and drive home in a vehicle that still drives like it does now.

 

[drbandkgb]

See you can drive a SAS rig.. Im not sure where this keeps coming from... If a Jeep can do it a Xterra can

You just need the proper sway bars and your golden

 

[AaronsX]

But 6k for a sas and 1-2k for a 4x4 conversion is a BIG difference.

 

[J Everett]

No, I know it can be driven. I just don't like the way it rides. If I wanted a vehicle with two solid axles I'd have bought the Wrangler in the first place. Also, can't stand to have warning lights on the dash, and until I see and SAS'd 2nd gen that has all those problems licked, including ABS, I want no part of it. I still want it to be as comfortable and reliable as it is now, because my DD may end up being a 2-seater, and I still want my comfortable people-carrying abilities.

I mean, to each his/her own, you know? A SAS'd rig that can go places an IFS can't is perfect for some people. Just not me.

 

[J Everett]

But 6k for a sas and 1-2k for a 4x4 conversion is a BIG difference.

Don't know where that number comes from. I'm looking at over $2k for the transfer case alone. I suppose a first gen's 4x4 drivetrain could be found for less than $2k, but there's always unknowns that pop up causing you to spend more.

 

[AaronsX]

Don't know where that number comes from. I'm looking at over $2k for the transfer case alone. I suppose a first gen's 4x4 drivetrain could be found for less than $2k, but there's always unknowns that pop up causing you to spend more.

All wrecked parts...once the parts are 12 years old and have over 100,000 miles on them stuff gets cheap. Also I'd have the wrecked X to make money off of after I have the parts I need.

 

[TheFauxFox]

Don't know where that number comes from. I'm looking at over $2k for the transfer case alone. I suppose a first gen's 4x4 drivetrain could be found for less than $2k, but there's always unknowns that pop up causing you to spend more.

He's thinking of just pulling parts off a junker X, which could be had for $2k.

The SAS can be had for $2-2.5k with the proper know-how and already having the tools. Read up on NissanNut.com on the D22 thread. Its a coil set up.

 

[drbandkgb]

Oh I agree... I hate lights on in the dash

I will say this.. once you SAS your normal challenges are not much anymore.. and thats a double edged sword... I like having my rig very off road worthy but yet safe on the road..

Aaron I still think your looking at 3k min to rob a damaged X...

 

[J Everett]

All wrecked parts...once the parts are 12 years old and have over 100,000 miles on them stuff gets cheap. Also I'd have the wrecked X to make money off of after I have the parts I need.

That's fair enough.

 

[greentennx]

The problem with getting them off a junker is that you will most lilely need to rebuild. If you can get get it for 2k, I'll be surprised. When I was thinking about doing mine the trans and transfer case was going to cost me anywhere from 700$ to 1000$. These were off a high mileage and wrecked X's. Go with the SAS and you will never regret it, and you will have one bad X.

 

[TheFauxFox]

... I'll be surprised. When I was thinking about doing mine the trans and transfer case was going to cost me anywhere from 700$ to 1000$..

Really? Is that for labor too? I found a decent T-case the other day for $100 and then another one a couple hours out for $200. All I had to do was pick it up. I guess the tranny was the expensive bit?

If you look around, its not too difficult to find someone who's rolled their X. When I was looking for mine, a guy in Nashville was selling his X with minor roof damage for $1400.

 

[AaronsX]

Thats where I'm getting the numbers...and considering no parts are damage you can make up a lot of that 1400 when you sell/part-out/or scrap the rolled x.

 

[AaronsX]

So I've been looking at totaled x's online and I'm really thinking the best option is to buy a wrecked X with working 4x4 and then take its parts and scrap the rest of the X. Seems to me that some totaled X's sell for less than 1k?? Would I have to get a 1.0 gen or could it be 2000-2004? Do the gears have to match?

 

[jmnielsen]

Do the gears have to match?

yezzir as long as yoou want 4wd

 

[AaronsX]

yezzir as long as yoou want 4wd

Thats what I'm shooting for lol

I think I have 4.6?..if that sounds right, ill have to look on my door sticker again tomorrow

 

[Cyclemut]

Or find someone local that's doing a SAS and get their old parts. We had, up until this weekend, the parts off a SAS'd truck front end, everything.

The trans/t-case is your biggest deal. I'm converting my 2WD to 4WD, but I'm doing the SAS route. The trans/t-case I'm getting in barter, but I have to rebuild the auto trans (which I'll be doing myself). The front axle is 100% custom, doing the fabwork ourselves. The ride will be handled with 63" rear Chevy leaves SOA, the front end with coils/shocks.

It can be done for less than $5k, but you have to do a lot yourself.

I'd find the parts in a J/Y and do what you can yourself. I think that would be your cheapest and best route.

 

[TheFauxFox]

Depending on the condition, the T-case for 00-04 is between $100-800. I've checked around a few salvage yards between here and Tuscaloosa, AL.

 

[AaronsX]

So I went out to causeys salvage yard because they had a 2002 Xterra. I went out to look at it with this guy and he knew nothing about it (big help) I didn't see any front end damage, and it IS 4x4, had hubs and all. I checked my gears and my door sticker says I have HG46 and this xterra in the junk yard was HG49 . Does that mean I could use all of its 4x4 parts besides the transfer case and transmission??

 

[J Everett]

No, the gearing refers to the ring and pinion in your rear axle and in the 4WD front diff and rear axle. It has nothing to do with the transmission or transfer case. When people talk about matching the gearing, it means you have to have the same gear ratios in the front and rear diffs, and the same diameter tires front and rear, or you'll cause the whole drive train to bind up from trying to turn at two different ratios.

If you're buying a complete vehicle for parts, it doesn't matter what gears you have. Just swap the front diff AND the rear axle from the wrecked X and the gears will already be a matched set. Sure, it's a little more work to swap the rear axle, but no more than regearing the axle you already have.

And, chances are, you'll need two new driveshafts, or at the very least, you'll want to make sure the shafts on the wrecked X are still in balance. And if it was a truck that rolled, I think I'd rebuild the bearings at all four hubs.

 

[AaronsX]

If you're buying a complete vehicle for parts, it doesn't matter what gears you have. Just swap the front diff AND the rear axle from the wrecked X and the gears will already be a matched set.

That makes sense but with me not seeing any damage to the front of the car they might want a pretty penny for the entire vehicle. Ill call tomorrow and see how much they want for the entire xterra. If I bought it I would take the parts I need and sell it back to them

 

[AaronsX]

Also a whole new can of worms was just opened. There is a chance I could possibly get trade vehicles with my mom because she rarely, I mean rarely drives her 2005 ford explorer 4x4 xlt. It would be a sad day to trade but I would love having
1. 4x4
2. A newer car
3. More HP & torque

She loves my Xterra and I don't think it would be so bad if my family still owned it and I saw it everyday and could drive it occasionally but again thats a whole new can of worms.

 

[Roadwarrior]

Also a whole new can of worms was just opened. There is a chance I could possibly get trade vehicles with my mom because she rarely, I mean rarely drives her 2005 ford explorer 4x4 xlt. It would be a sad day to trade but I would love having
1. 4x4
2. A newer car
3. More HP & torque

She loves my Xterra and I don't think it would be so bad if my family still owned it and I saw it everyday and could drive it occasionally but again thats a whole new can of worms.

Say goodbye to flex and cheap lifts. Just ask Mike.

Whole can of worms is right.



What happened to the other xterra I posted to your link? The one where he was parting it out?

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