68 chevy SWB 2wd to 4wd Questions
 

Im new to this site and I've been browsing around a little. I may not have really searched the right phrases but I'm trying to find some info on a 2wd to 4wd conversion. Im using a 68 chevy SWB as the project truck. I have a 72 Chevy blazer with all of the 4wd still intact minus transfer case to use for my donor parts truck. Ive measured the rear of these two frames and i noticed that the 68 2wd narrows to the same width as the Blazers width. BUT the 2wd frame gets wider as you move towards the front of the truck, just passed the rear axle. Is this even worth trying or am i overlooking something. Thanks for any input you have in advance. Again, sorry if there is already a thread with this information, a link to it would be great!

EDIT.....STILL USING THE TRUCK FRAME

Re: 68 chevy SWB 2wd to 4wd Questions
 

You will find more info here in this forum than the 2wheel drive forum.

Re: 68 chevy SWB 2wd to 4wd Questions
 

...

Re: 68 chevy SWB 2wd to 4wd Questions
 

Your 2wd got coils or rear leaf? I did my 68 GMC lwb with 70 K5 running gear. I had rear leaf already, was a few obstacles, but wasn't too bad. At least with a donor you'll have the brackets and mounts available.

Re: 68 chevy SWB 2wd to 4wd Questions
 

thats exactly what i was thinking. I have them right next to each other, so i figured it could just transfer from one truck to another. I have coils in the rear at the moment. I was just curious if the small frame "flare" at the rear axle area was going to pose a problem. Im new at this, and i havent taken the bed off of the truck yet to get some EXACT measurements, which is probably my first issue. To get some exact dimensions. Thank GRENDEL and GMCMAX for your time and information. :)

Re: 68 chevy SWB 2wd to 4wd Questions
 

...

Re: 68 chevy SWB 2wd to 4wd Questions
 

Grendel: I have coils in the back also. thats why im saying the back is gonna be a bigger problem. Is it easier to just lengthen the blazer frame!!???

Re: 68 chevy SWB 2wd to 4wd Questions
 

...

Re: 68 chevy SWB 2wd to 4wd Questions
 

yea i dont know what would be the best thing to do. i keep finding damn 4wd to 2wd conversions lol. I really would like to keep away from stretching or shortening a frame. if thats what i have to do then so be it, just looking for some direction really. if anyone has any pics of how the rear is set up that would be great(i am picturing it to be simple, i just wanted to have a definite answer). Im definitley going with leaf springs, i was just getting that info outabout the coil setup. thanks man. im still browsing around

Re: 68 chevy SWB 2wd to 4wd Questions
 

...

Re: 68 chevy SWB 2wd to 4wd Questions
 

Can't help on the rear, but the front was pretty easy; knocked the 2wd radiator supports off and bolted the 4wd ones on, I heated and flattened the e-brake dimples then drilled and bolted the spring mounts. Had good luck drilling the rivets out. Center punch, pilot drill, then drill with like 3/8 to pop the head, used air punch to finish. Took longer, but I quit with the torch when I nicked the frame........
Here's the rear 2wd frame:
http://i48.photobucket.com/albums/f2...X/DSC02902.jpg
http://i48.photobucket.com/albums/f2...X/DSC02904.jpg

Re: 68 chevy SWB 2wd to 4wd Questions
 

GMCMAX: Those are the pics ive been trying to find. So you just bolted the 4x4 brackets right to the 2wd frame? Is that truck up and driving and useable in the pics? Thank you again.

Re: 68 chevy SWB 2wd to 4wd Questions
 

JACKED: yeah, for the front axle, the front spring mount is integral with the radiator mount and will bolt in place of the 2wd radiator mount with the addition of 2 more holes.
The front axle rear spring mount goes about where the e-brake dimples on the frame are. Get the measurement between the mounts from the blazer frame. You'll have to flatten or drill the dimples away (see grendel's pictures) then drill for the bolts.
My 2wd rear axle was already on leaf springs, so I only had to add 4" blocks to bring the rear up to the stock height of the 4X4 front.
In the pics, it was up and running, I had just pulled the pickup bed to put a flatbed on.
Those shiny bolts you see at the rear was from adding a 4" lift to the truck; I already had 4" rear blocks, and to get another 4", I lowered the spring mount instead of a shackle flip..........
Sorry no pics of the front, I didn't have a camera when I did the swap. It took about the 2 weeks I took off at Christmas that year.
Max

Re: 68 chevy SWB 2wd to 4wd Questions
 

...

Re: 68 chevy SWB 2wd to 4wd Questions
 

i'd just lenghten the blazer frame.

Re: 68 chevy SWB 2wd to 4wd Questions
 

Talked to a friend at Hibbards Iron works today. Quickest and easiest way is to lengthen the blazer frame. It will be as strong if not STRONGER than stock. Which is exactly what i wanted to hear. THANK YOU FOR ALL YOUR FEEDBACK.

You must be a subscriber to post "for sale" items.

Re: 68 chevy SWB 2wd to 4wd Questions
 

I would do it like ABhaler did to his burb in the back he just moved the rear axle from on top the rear control arms to below them it was an instent lift for the truck he then used the front spring hangers from a 4x4 for the front check out his web site here it tells you all about how he did it. http://www.geocities.com/scbeoffroad...ted/index.html

Re: 68 chevy SWB 2wd to 4wd Questions
 

you're comparing a blazer frame to a truck frame? that might be some difference....

Re: 68 chevy SWB 2wd to 4wd Questions
 

Yea i know there are differences. I was trying to figure out WHAT the differences were so i can address them. but now that i have a fabricator to take car if this, it shouldnt be an issue.

Re: 68 chevy SWB 2wd to 4wd Questions
 

So if i read this right i can take a 2 wheel drive frame and change over to 4 wheel drive if i take my time ??? I am new to this site and where i am from there is not alot of these trucks left laying around. I can find 2 wheel drive frames but i want a 4x4 .
If there is another thread to changing a 2 wheel drive to 4 wheel drive can some one point me there . Thanks

Re: 68 chevy SWB 2wd to 4wd Questions
 

ok freind of mines grand father took a blazer frame an what he did was move the rear spring hangers back. i think a couple of inches of the back of the bed set past the frame rails make som custom bumper mounts an let it go

Re: 68 chevy SWB 2wd to 4wd Questions
 

so where did u get the donor springs and axels for your conversion ?
could i use brackets/springs and axels from 73-87 model ?
also what did you do for the transfercase and bracket ?

Re: 68 chevy SWB 2wd to 4wd Questions
 

I bought it all from someone that did a 4X4 to 4X2 swap on a blazer; axles, springs, trans/tcase, crossmembers, and steering box. Front spring brackets from a totalled 70 in the junkyard.