how much work???
 

I've asked this question before, but can't seem to find the response. I want to convert my 72 2wd truck to a 4X4, but can't seem to find a 4X4 frame to swap everything over to.

Now my idea, i have an orginial big block truck that has leaf springs, what would be involved in adding a 4X4 running gear under it? Can i just add a 6 lug rearend with 4X4 springs in the place of my 2wd leaf sprung rear end (are the perches the same)?

Now for the front, can i just unbolt the 2wd front and remove, and then add spring perches and a 4X4 front axle?

And then add a 4wd engine crossmember, and tranny crossmember and an automatic tranny/205.

I have a 69, so i could get all measurements from it.

Thanks for the help

David

David have you thought about using a newer frame?

I have, but would i have to cut it down a couple of inches in order for the wheel to be centered in the wheel well? i don't know why, but i could see myself screwing that one up somehow :) And would i have to put a small body lift on in order to correct the natural bend to the 73-87 frame?

I'd be up for it if i had a little more info.

thanks
David

If you have a high hump cab you can get by with very little body lift. If done different I could see using about 2 inches for the front clip and maybe a couple fro the front of the cab. The wheel base difference is no big deal. Most body men can do that with no problems. PM me your number and email.

I put my 67 LWB body on a 1988 V30 van chassis. It was alot of work but can be done. Here is a link to some pics of the buildup if your interested. Feel free to ask questions if you like.http://www.texas4x4.org/gallery/67k20?page=1

Catfish

On the rear of your 2wd the spring hangers sit up higher on the frame, the 4wd trucks the hangers extend below the frame, so there is a big difference in height. Looking at the front of the C30 it appears the craddle would go and a 4wd engine crossmember would go in. Then the tranny cross member would have to go. Then you'd need an tranny/tc adapter cross member. Then the tc to frame mount. Not sure where the tc would be in relation to the 2wd frame bowing out, and whether or not that will cause problems. I'm not sure when you want to start but keep looking for a 4wd chassis.

thanks guys, Looks like it would be more work than i thought, i guess i'll have to extend my search farther.

David

One will turn up, I will continue to keep an eye out for you.

There's a 68 4wd chassis for sell on the parts board for $1200 Canadian, what's that like $900? You could sell the 327. Road trip?

IIRC, Off Road Unlimited has some experience with converting 2wds into 4x4s. Around $10,000 for them to do it all. :eek: You might get enough info out of them on how its done, basically. Especially whether you can use your 2wd frame.

I have an old mag article about a white 71 C10 that was converted to 4x4 using the 2wd frame. The guy put a F**d D44 straight, disc brake axle under the front by welding on coil spring perches and c-bushing brackets to the tubes. Ran F**d C-struts from custom frame brackets. Looked like a late '70s F**d 4x4 front-end, complete with driver's side diff. He just used a F**d, driver's side NP205 with a 71/2 GM 4x4 crossmember. He had to lift it at least 6" to help the diff clear the 2wd engine cross member. Cool how he used the 2wd upper coil buckets but not the A-arms. I think he used F250 lift coils

For the rear, he flipped the trailing arms to the top of the axles by welding on the same kind of 2wd perch on top as is on the axle tube bottom. Actually, I can't remember if he used a different axle with 2wd perches on top, vice leaf spring perches. In any case, he only needed to have the u-bolts round the bottom of the tube, instead of the top. He used 71 C20 coils which stayed lined up with the buckets. The rest was little stuff (longer brake hoses, etc.)

From what I could tell, he ended up with a nice riding, four-coil suspension that set the truck a bit high. I think he ran 33" tires. Maybe larger. I can't speak to the strength. The article only addressed the mods. I thought about doing this to my C10 Sub, but what a hassle. Mucho planning and fabbing. I could do some of the welding, but bracket fabbing that lines up axles/suspension parts perfectly is out of my league.