2wd to 4x4 build
 

just starting a 3/4 ton 2wd to a 3/4 ton 4x4 build. Will be using a 86 3/4 ton 2WD pickup frame and axles and drivetrain from an 87 burb. Basicly making one truck with all the spare parts we got laying around. Motor will be a 350, unsure which one we'll use as we got a few laying around. Its a father/son project. Should be a fun truck when done. :metal: More pictures(better quality too)/updates on the way.

Re: 2wd to 4x4 build
 

nice! a member on here did a 4x4 to 2wd swap and a 2wd to 4x4 swap a while back. i am forgetting his name though. took a 4x4 blazer and a 2wd pick up and came out with a 2wd blazer and a 4x4 pick up. IT is a great build up to read through and alot of work was done

Re: 2wd to 4x4 build
 

i've seen that tread. It was really well done. For some reason, my pictures aren't showing. I'll have to re-post them when i get home. Got the front cross memember and suspension off the front of the frame.

Re: 2wd to 4x4 build
 

heres what we started with.

Re: 2wd to 4x4 build
 

got the 2wd suspension off.

Re: 2wd to 4x4 build
 

The rear spring hangers are different from a 2x4 and 4x4. I am doing the same swap with a crew cab. I am using all the suspension mounts from the 4x4 on the rear and the entire front suspension mounts and all up front. The core support mounts on the frame are different as the front spring,front hangers are made to attach to them. The front crossmember that the proportioning valve mounts to is also different. It stinks that all this stuff is riveted on, but ya gotta love the ol acetylene torch to burn them suckers off.

Re: 2wd to 4x4 build
 

so what all is involved with this swap..i been thinginking of it for awhile,,but my frined doesnt want to try it,,thinks it cant be done..i got a 84 2wd 3/4 gmc..i can get all the parts dirt cheap..i know the whole front 2wd setup has to come off..then mount the 4x4 on it...wow sounds easy when i put it that way..but would it be better to just take all my stuff and put on a 4x4 frame...

Re: 2wd to 4x4 build
 

it would be easier to find a 4x4 and swap things over, but in my case we had the parts to make one. So instead of buying another truck, we decided to make one with the parts we have. Its a lot of work, but if you have the tools, its not too bad of an job. Like stano said, an acetylene torch can make a difference. Having the whole body off, also makes things alot easier. Next step for me is to dig the old burb out of the garage.

Re: 2wd to 4x4 build
 

ok thanks...will have to wait until 68 is running anyway...but i want another
4x4 eventualy..

Re: 2wd to 4x4 build
 

heres the 4x4 donor. Its an 87 3/4 ton 4x4. TBI 350. Pretty sure it has a dana 44/semi floating 14 bolt. Truck has 3.73 and posi. The burb has 5 rows of options. Was a police package suburban or police suburban. Has got skid plates and oil/tranny coolers. Anyone know a good site besides 73-87.com to decode these rpo.

Re: 2wd to 4x4 build
 

good progress...I'm the one that did this Blazer/ Pick-up swap summer 05' I will find the link if you want

Re: 2wd to 4x4 build
 

i've seen your tread and will be using it as a reference. Was very well done and the blazer goods awsome.:metal:

Re: 2wd to 4x4 build
 

yeserday, the front clip was taking off, along with the gastank and misc parts. Today we were abe to yank the motor/trans/transfer case all in one go. The whole exhaust system was also removed in one piece.

Re: 2wd to 4x4 build
 

Great progress so far. Keep up the good work. BTW, the fornt axle on the burb is a 10 bolt. (the two triangle shaped ears at the bottom of the housing are the giveaway) No real big difference in strength though.

Re: 2wd to 4x4 build
 

thanks zoomad. Was dana 60, dana 44, and gm corp 10 bolts the only options for front diffs? Or was their others?

Re: 2wd to 4x4 build
 

No problem. Yep those are it. I've heard about guys going after dodge D60's but they are not a bolt in swap. I'd wheel on that 10 bolt for now, while you got your eyes peeled for a D60 down the road. If you keep the tire size to 35-36" and are careful with the skinny pedal, the 10 bolt will last for a while.

Re: 2wd to 4x4 build
 

anyone know why my 87 3/4 ton 4x4 suburban frame is different from my 2wd 3/4 ton ton frame? The 4x4 has the larger hump and taller frame rails

Re: 2wd to 4x4 build
 

someone has to know why there is a difference. sixty8c10 had no problems with his blazer/pickup swap. Anyone??

Re: 2wd to 4x4 build
 

I don't have answer for you on that one, mine where both 1/2 tons. the only problem i had there was the frame's thickness, and the width the rails were from each other. the width was only problem on the blazer, easily corrected with a different crossmember. all i can say is if you want it bad enough the solution will present itself, that's what happened to me anyway. I know that's not what you want to hear, but give me some time i may be able to think of something better.

Re: 2wd to 4x4 build
 

More important than the frame itself is the brackets bolted to it. The truck and burb both share front diffs, so it should all pretty much work out in the end.

Post some pics of the front diff backetry, and I'll post a few pics of my 3/4 ton 4x4 truck frame for you to compare with...

The first time I did a 2wd to 4wd swap, I just changed frames out, as you can see below. I'm about to do another conversion to my 77 stepside though, but swb 4x4s are next to impossible to find here, so I'll be doing the swap similarly to how you've done it.

Re: 2wd to 4x4 build
 

burb is outside and pickup is inside.

Re: 2wd to 4x4 build
 

Burb stuff looks like like my 80's stuff, I'd say its probally good to go :)

Re: 2wd to 4x4 build
 

the motor mounts are too big to fit into the pickup frame? So do i need pickup 4x4 mounts?

Re: 2wd to 4x4 build
 

Russ so the Steppe is going under the knife??

Back on topic

I don't know how your frame wlding skills are but why not just use the burban frame and then attach new mounts and leangthen or shorten it as needed?

Good luck with your project

Re: 2wd to 4x4 build
 

The burb has a pretty different shape to it, won't be able to make the pickup body fit without some pretty major modifications...

And yeah, I suppose you'll need to find a pickup 4x4 engine crossmember and engine mounts, but it looks like the outside mounts for the springs are all the same.

And yep, stepside is going the way of a swb 3/4 ton 4x4 toy. The truck's body is just horrible, less the box. I'll probally buy a beat up / rusted out box to replace it with so I don't ruin the nice one. They are quite rare around here, and if you do find them, they are in horrible shape.

Re: 2wd to 4x4 build
 

why does the burb frame have more room for the diff to move? I guess i have to keep an eye out for 3/4 ton 4x4 p/u mounts and engine crossmember. Another option is to cut the burb frame back where it has the same height and same frame dimensons as the pickup frame and weld the front portion of the burb frame to the pickup frame. Friends of ours have made 2 or 3 of those 4door shortbox trucks.

Re: 2wd to 4x4 build
 

why can't you use the whole burban front clip and just z the frame to make everything line up.

Re: 2wd to 4x4 build
 

I'd reccomend finding a donor 1/2 ton with a 350 to grab the engine crossmember, front crossmember, and engine mounts out of, easier, and less likely to have problems in the future than if you cut and weld the two frames together, unless you are a really good welder.

That, and when you go to insure the thing, the insurance company is going to drag your truck through the coals of a nasty inspection to try and find some excuse not to insure your rig. Thats my biggest battle now that most everything is basically done. My current company won't even consider insuring it, no matter what kind of safety inspection it passes.

Re: 2wd to 4x4 build
 

Most likely going to have the frame zed by our friends whos done multiple shortbox conversions. Saves having to grid or cut out all the rivits.

Re: 2wd to 4x4 build
 

You may have already seen this site. If not heres a link to chassis dimensions, RPO codes and VIN # info.


Lots of info, helped me out tons,
Good luck with your project.


http://www.chuckschevytruckpages.com/framespecs.html
http://www.chuckschevytruckpages.com/73-87specs.html
http://www.chuckschevytruckpages.com...s_1973-87.html

Re: 2wd to 4x4 build
 

Any updates Vern? I'm starting my swap tommorow...

Re: 2wd to 4x4 build
 

not awhole lot, bought an 78 stepper yesterday. Probably going to cut off teh front end of the burb with enough room for play. Take the rear axles and rear hangers, and any necessary parts. Room is getting tough to come by now. What swap are you doing again? An 3/4ton 4x4 swap under a stepper?

Re: 2wd to 4x4 build
 

Actually, 1/2 ton swap under the stepper now, wound up buying a K5 to do the swap...

Eventually put the 3/4 ton stuff I found under the K5 after I get new spring hangers and stuff for it.

Re: 2wd to 4x4 build
 

Well, looks like its not gonna happen anymore. Outta the blue my buddy just straight up gave up on me, and I'm not gonna spend my time and money on a truck that I'll never use on my own....

I'd rather fix my quad, and have nearly unlimited access on crown land, with a big group of buddies I know well than to have a few hundred kilometers of trails to ride in a fullsize, with a group of people I barely know, and half the time don't even want to be associated with due to their serious alcohol and drug problems.

Yeah, I'm a little annoyed at the moment, I just dropped like 500 bucks on parts for all this, and now I have to try and sell all of it cause he is acting like a 13 year old kid who is afraid of a little elbow grease.

Re: 2wd to 4x4 build
 

bummer, were you going halves on the truck?

Re: 2wd to 4x4 build
 

yeah, we did... I'll have to buy out his half of the K5 then sell it.

The fortunate news is that I may have sold my 77... It'll go for between 1500 - 1700 as is, while I've got about 500 into it, lol Not quite done negotiating yet...

Re: 2wd to 4x4 build
 

getting the front 4x4 frame welded to the rear part of the 2wd pickup frame today. Pictures will be coming tonight. I have been busy with college and other activities, so hopefully things get back up to speed shortly.

Re: 2wd to 4x4 build
 

i've got the frame cleaned up, just wondering if I should paint it or leave it and have it oiled? I figure if i paint it and then 2 or 3 yrs later if it flakes, water/salt/dirt will be able to build up and rust. What do you think?

Re: 2wd to 4x4 build
 

I've got the frame painted now, along with the tranny and tcase cleaned up. Next steps are to run fuel lines, and finish the brake lines and then the motor and tranny/tcase will be dropped in. I'll be ordering a 4" lift with in the next couple of days. Any suggestions for a 4" lift?

Re: 2wd to 4x4 build
 

Wow that looks nice. so you ended up putting the burban front frame on the pickup rear half?? Did you keep the rear pickup setup or swap that for the burban rear suspention