Finally got around to rebuilding the front axles today. So now with everything cleaned up, it's just time to start taring the girl apart! Last few pieces should be in Monday, but I can go ahead and start on the tare down at any time

 

Been progressing on this throughout this week.

Today I managed to wiggle the 2wd motor out, and with the help of the wife, get the 4x4 motor into place and the motor mounting bolts thrown in. So between lugging the motors around, and having to detach and then reattach the rear swing arm and drive shaft, the hardest parts are done I believe! The rest is just throwing on and bolting together the smaller parts.

Really wish I had a bigger garage to be doing this in lol. But at least it's inside and not out in the dirt, THAT I'm thankful for.

 

Well I got everything buttoned back up today! Started off by putting oil in the motor and hooking the battery back up. Wanted to fire up the motor and hear it run before I progressed any further. She fired right up at the first push of the button, no knocks, ticks, or smoke! Then it was just bolting in the front diff, installing the axle shafts (which I found that it's due for ball joints and brake pads... ordered now, I'll throw them on later), all the plastics and rewired the winch and light bar. Everything seems to work as it should; hit the button and the front diff actuates and locks in. So tomorrow I'll take it on a test rip and see if I missed tightening down any bolts Then I can shoot some final footage for the conclusion of my little video I'm making about it for my YouTube channel.

 

Well done, I thought it would take a lot longer to do the conversion, and you seem to have got all the right bits from the seller. Usually you think you have bought everything you need, and then find you have missed one vital part.

 

Thank you. Yeah I'm glad I ended up getting the entire parts lot from the guy that I originally planned on getting just the motor, front diff, and axles from. I ended up needing a few more little pieces that I would have never thought of like the throttle lever that has a spot for the 4x4 button to mount too.

Took it for a test rip today on a trail behind the house. Everything works great! I think the valves need adjusted, there's a slight tick when it warms up. And the clutch is a little more noisy than the one in the 2wd motor, so I may pull it apart and see what's up with it (I can always rob the one from the 2wd motor assembly if needed), although it does seem to function just fine. I've also discover that the right side axle seal in the diff leaks, and I need to replace all of my ball joints and the front brake pads lol, so all of that is on order and I'll knock all that out at once in a few weeks or so once everything arrives.

But after everything, I've very happy with the result. Was a lot of work for sure, but it was a LOT cheaper than just buying a 4x4, and I like knowing that now I know how to fix anything if I ever need to, since I know how it comes apart and goes back together