2wd to 4wd conversion/ 2wd-4wd lift difference?

[Comanchenoob]

I recently purchased an 88 Comanche 2wd AMC 4.0 5speed manual. Just redid entire brake system, but the tires are separating and dry rotting off, So no use in trying to drive it right now. So, I’m looking at buying a lift for it so I can buy a good set of tires (preferably 31’s). Now, I need to know what the difference is between a 2wd lift and a 4wd lift is? Don’t have a ton of money to throw at the project so I’m trying to do it in stages. Lift, tires, drive it for awhile, and then hopefully do a 4wd conversion on it and put some Dana 35s under it. Any information you guys can give me about the lift, and the 4wd conversion would be very helpful. Thank you. Here’s some pics. The canopy is going bye bye. I also fixed the dent, and the bumpers. 

[amsuco]

So are you just taking the topper off, or getting rid if it?  Enquiring minds want to know!

[Egm89]

Well if you are on a budget u can just lift it couple inches fron the front and its relatively easy to do it and cheap too with a budget lift boost, and the biggest tire u can fit its a 31 with a slight rubbing on full lock (on stock wheels).

Btw, x2 on the topper I'm from cali so if u wanna get rid of it lmk!

[Comanchenoob]

Getting rid of it. Don’t know what else they fit on. Was gonna try to list on Craigslist or something. I got a Chrysler 4.0 sitting in the back of it with like 25,000 miles on it, gotta find a spot to put it before I take it off. 

[Comanchenoob]

I was thinking like a 3 inch lift, max of 4.5. Want to have clearance for the 31’s. And my budget is I don’t want to spend more then $1400 a month on it unless it’s something I can’t pass up on. 

[Egm89]

42 minutes ago, Comanchenoob said:

Getting rid of it. Don’t know what else they fit on. Was gonna try to list on Craigslist or something. I got a Chrysler 4.0 sitting in the back of it with like 25,000 miles on it, gotta find a spot to put it before I take it off. 

 

Well lmk, and ill ask for shipping, whats ur zip code?

40 minutes ago, Comanchenoob said:

I was thinking like a 3 inch lift, max of 4.5. Want to have clearance for the 31’s. And my budget is I don’t want to spend more then $1400 a month on it unless it’s something I can’t pass up on. 

Well 3 inch lift if u want to do it the right way youll probably spend little over 1k,

With shocks

Lcas

Ext. Brake lines

And coils

But tbh clearsnce with no lift and 31 tires its not an issue with stock wheels. I'm rocking a budget with 30x9.5x15 on those same wheels and it looks and performs wonders.

On the 2wd to 4wd conversion its not hard, just use the search function theres a ton of threads on that issue.

Congrats and welcome to the club!

 

[amsuco]

I knew that topper wouldn't work for me, as I have a long bed.  (Plus I'm really far away.). But your rig cleaned up really nice!  I just didn't want a topper that nice getting scrapped.  It doesn't look like you'll have any problems finding a taker for it.

[Eagle]

8 hours ago, Comanchenoob said:

I was thinking like a 3 inch lift, max of 4.5. Want to have clearance for the 31’s. And my budget is I don’t want to spend more then $1400 a month on it unless it’s something I can’t pass up on. 

 

You have clearance for the 31s -- but don't go there. You have a 5-speed, which means 3.08 axle ratio. To run 31s and be happy, you need 4.10 gears, and if you're on a budget you probably don't want to spend several hundred to a thousand dollars on regearing.

 

30x9.50s are basically the same diameter as 235/75-15s. The 30s may look more aggressive, but they also cost more and deliver worse gas mileage (because they're wider).

[Comanchenoob]

57 minutes ago, Eagle said:

 

You have clearance for the 31s -- but don't go there. You have a 5-speed, which means 3.08 axle ratio. To run 31s and be happy, you need 4.10 gears, and if you're on a budget you probably don't want to spend several hundred to a thousand dollars on regearing.

 

30x9.50s are basically the same diameter as 235/75-15s. The 30s may look more aggressive, but they also cost more and deliver worse gas mileage (because they're wider).

 I don’t want to have to buy two sets of tires just to drive it for a month or two. I will be buying new axles, my dream is 4.10s and lockers with 31’s. Just don’t want to spend all the money at once. Tires first. Then do axle swap 

[Comanchenoob]

8 hours ago, Egm89 said:

 

Well lmk, and ill ask for shipping, whats ur zip code?

Well 3 inch lift if u want to do it the right way youll probably spend little over 1k,

With shocks

Lcas

Ext. Brake lines

And coils

But tbh clearsnce with no lift and 31 tires its not an issue with stock wheels. I'm rocking a budget with 30x9.5x15 on those same wheels and it looks and performs wonders.

On the 2wd to 4wd conversion its not hard, just use the search function theres a ton of threads on that issue.

Congrats and welcome to the club!

 

98258 is zip. And I was looking at the rough country lifts. Not that expensive and come pretty much complete. Don’t know where to get ext. brake lines though 

[Smokeyyank]

1 hour ago, Comanchenoob said:

98258 is zip. And I was looking at the rough country lifts. Not that expensive and come pretty much complete. Don’t know where to get ext. brake lines though 

 

Don't go RC, much better lifts for the money. 

 

Zone makes a decent lift. IRO has always made decent stuff. OME is a great lift but more expensive. Really, there are lots of options and will just depend on what you want to do. If you want height and ride comfort OME is the best route. If you're planning to wheel it hard then it's going to be best to build your lift and possibly consider long arms. 

 

Personally, I'd start accumulating parts and do it right once then ten times half assed. The 4wd conversion is a good amount of work and to put parts on now you'll just be pulling them off later. You're going to need new axles and not D35s, things are only good for boat anchors. Best bet will be to source 97-99 XJ axles. You'll get a HP30 front with bigger u joints, non cad and high pinon, rear will be a 8.25 with 29 spline. More than enough axle to run 33's. If you plan on going 35's you should consider something else. While you can get away with a D30 and 8.25, might as well build a proper axle and not worry about breakage with 35's.   

 

If you're looking for just a budget lift temporarily here's what I'd do

Front

-ZJ upcountry coils net about 1-1.5" lift

-Coil spacer get about .75"

-Could also consider ACOS, I just put them on the level out my front but the great thing is they can be used to fine tune your set up once you have a proper lift. 

Rear

-AAL

That should get you enough to run a 30ish tire even though I say stick with a 29" max. Then you're also going to look at all the other parts to go with bigger tires; steering, braking, etc. 

 

 

 

 

[Swampy]

2wd to 4wd conversion is bolt on, not much too it. If you are handy with a set of tools and get the right pieces its easy. 

[Pete M]

a budget boost (2" pucks and lift shackles) will clear your 31s and costs less than 100 bucks.    then later on you can do the lift and axles at the same time.  it's a whole lot less work to gut the suspension just once.  

[Comanchenoob]

9 hours ago, Pete M said:

a budget boost (2" pucks and lift shackles) will clear your 31s and costs less than 100 bucks.    then later on you can do the lift and axles at the same time.  it's a whole lot less work to gut the suspension just once.  

Recommended company I can purchase from? I like this route for the time being. And I’m not hip on the lingo just yet. Help me out please. Lol. 

[Comanchenoob]

10 hours ago, Smokeyyank said:

 

Don't go RC, much better lifts for the money. 

 

Zone makes a decent lift. IRO has always made decent stuff. OME is a great lift but more expensive. Really, there are lots of options and will just depend on what you want to do. If you want height and ride comfort OME is the best route. If you're planning to wheel it hard then it's going to be best to build your lift and possibly consider long arms. 

 

Personally, I'd start accumulating parts and do it right once then ten times half assed. The 4wd conversion is a good amount of work and to put parts on now you'll just be pulling them off later. You're going to need new axles and not D35s, things are only good for boat anchors. Best bet will be to source 97-99 XJ axles. You'll get a HP30 front with bigger u joints, non cad and high pinon, rear will be a 8.25 with 29 spline. More than enough axle to run 33's. If you plan on going 35's you should consider something else. While you can get away with a D30 and 8.25, might as well build a proper axle and not worry about breakage with 35's.   

 

If you're looking for just a budget lift temporarily here's what I'd do

Front

-ZJ upcountry coils net about 1-1.5" lift

-Coil spacer get about .75"

-Could also consider ACOS, I just put them on the level out my front but the great thing is they can be used to fine tune your set up once you have a proper lift. 

Rear

-AAL

That should get you enough to run a 30ish tire even though I say stick with a 29" max. Then you're also going to look at all the other parts to go with bigger tires; steering, braking, etc. 

 

 

 

 

Thanks for the comment. I appreciate the input on the axle situation and the lift. I will look into what I can find with those specs. I Appreciate it

[GrizzzzBear]

Look at all of the Lift Threads here Before You Order a thing!!

Prices can vary from 1 Company to another.

Shocks can be found to fit your lift.

My Best Advice..... Do You Research.

Better to make changes Before getting the Parts. 

Make Sure you have all parts on hand, First.

Good Luck & Have Fun!!

[ParadiseMJ]

On ‎5‎/‎20‎/‎2018 at 10:33 PM, Comanchenoob said:

Getting rid of it. Don’t know what else they fit on. Was gonna try to list on Craigslist or something. I got a Chrysler 4.0 sitting in the back of it with like 25,000 miles on it, gotta find a spot to put it before I take it off. 

 

It'll fit a Ford Ranger SWB...or should I say, a Ford Ranger SWB will fit on a MJ SWB.