Whats up all. I just bought an 02 Nissan Frontier Desert Runner. B4 everyone flames me for getting a 2wd, let me tell you that it will be converted to 4wd. Bought it with only 10K miles after I wrecked my Dodge Avenger. I was into racing but after so much wasted money on turbo parts/boost guages/tickets...and then the wreck, I'm selling everything put into the car to mod my truck. First up on the list is body lift. Currently have 31/10.5/15R A/T but want to upgrade that to M/T 33s. Then will come the 4x4 conversion and suspension. Got alot of work to do and hope you guys guide me in the right direction.

You planning to 'convert' it to independant front suspension (IFS, stock config)? You have an excellent opportunity to go with a SFA (solid front axle) and turn that thing into a true 4X4, with awesome capabilities. Check out this site for great ideas.

-Spike

There's a guy here that goes by OnlyOneDR that did a 4x4 conversion on a desert runner. Big pain in the ass to do if you want to convert it to be like a factory 4x4 - you have a LOT of parts gathering to do including Transmission, Tcase, front axle, crossmembers, halfshafts, hubs, spindles, front and rear driveshafts, etc.

To Spike's point, your truck has the same suspension mounting points as a 4x4, so you could use the solid axle swap kit Calmini offers - to use your transmission, you'll need to find a divorced transfer case to use with a short shaft and figure out how to mount it.

If you're an accomplished fabricator, it can be done. If you're just a weekend wrench, you're in for a helluva project with a lot of downtime for your truck.

Good luck. We're here for questions.

That will most likely later mod after I do some researching. I'm not that knowledged when it comes to modding trucks to tell you the truth. Family is though. Dad has 05 Toyota Tacoma 4x4 and mom has Jeep Liberty 4x4. Sister even has 97 4x4 Chevy Blazer. I would have went 4x4 right off the bat but could not pass up the deal they had on my Frontier.

You may need to remove the mud flaps like Mud did. "MUD" flap remover

33s are not going to fit with just a body lift. It will require body and suspension lifts and still some trimming of fenders. I agree with Spike and Andy, go solid if your going to go 4x4. I wouldn't even do a BL if you plan on doing a SAS. You will get all the lift you need out of the suspenison then and a BL would only raise your CoG.

By using a divorced t-case you have alot more options on the actual cases and rockcrawling gears. If it's a 5 speed, you'll need the gears in AZ.

Unless I miss my guess, most of that post may as well be in Greek to our poor new guy. Baby steps Thanny, baby steps.

-Spike