Hey guys, would it be easier to convert my 89 2wheel drive to a 4wheel drive...or find a 4wheel rolling chassis and move my motor to it? Ultimately i want a 4wheel drive 1st GEN. But i have a perfectly good running 2wheel drive long bed. So, what would it take to convert to a 4wheel drive front end?

 

There is a lot of work to do either way.

 

Find a Divoreced 205 transfer case,ford,chevy, or dodge. Build a crossmember, install said t/case. Find a dodge or chevy (Passenger drop), or ford(drivers drop) Dana 60 front axle, Build mounts to match spring pad width. Buy some aftermarket front springs, install. I would suggest crossover steering. Build your drivelines and hook up your brakes.
I would go this route over swapping your body to a rolling chassis. Seems like less work to me.Or find a beater 1ton and swap over needed parts to your 4x2.
When I was in high school a friend and myself swapped a mid 70's international 3/4 ton runnin gear into a 66 dodge 2 wheel drive. If I could do it at 15 yrs old im sure you could do it now. That was the first time I picked up a welder,,,,Well 15 yrs later the t/case and the steering box are still firmly attached to the frame, even tho I had now idea how to weld properly.
In my eyes..dont be skared to do a little prodject. Find the parts you need and put a couple weeks aside and do it!!

 

Oh ya, check out pirate4x4, look under the dodge forums. Theres a guy doin this right now w/a ford dana 60 and t/case. looks like sweet build up of a x-cab 2 wheeler.

 

I knew you and others were going to ask so I documented it. Here is what is involved:
https://www.dieseltruckresource.com/...-t262256.html?

 

I have two d350 crew cabs and two sets of 4X4 conversion parts... One truck is converted and one to go. It was a total PAIN (for me anyway) to do this conversion and I'm having second thoughts on doing the second one. Here is some of the progress pics from when I did mine.

https://www.dieseltruckresource.com/...t256718p2.html

 

good stuff guys.