Convert 2wd to 4wd
 

I was wondering how easy it would be to convert my 2wd 83 gmc 1/2 ton long bed with 350/350 to 4x4 status? Can I find a doner truck of the same year, remove the front axle, springs, perches, steering, drive shafts and t-case and expect it to bolt in with no fuss? Maybe even in a weekend? ;o)

DAWGYA

I am doing somthing similar. In the end I figured it will be better to just swap frames.
http://groups.msn.com/ProjectBigRed

Find a doner truck and swap frames! Or find a truck and sell the 2 wheeler. Can't "bolt on" 4wd in a weekend, and those years are every place, so I would not try!

If you're in the north (rusty) part of the country, and the 2WD is clean, Id suggest finding a rustbucket 4WD and swapping bodies.

Clean 4WDs are rare around here...

Otherwise, just sell the 2WD and buy a 4-by...

converting the 2WD frame would be alot of work. I wouldn't call it a bolt-on project, either.

HTH

-M

Thanks guys, I was just wondering. I already have a 4x4, but was wondering if my old 83 could be converted so I could take it out and beat on so I would not thrash my other truck.

It is not hard, and I was told by someone who did it that it only took them a day and it came out fine. You will need all of the front suspension and the crossmembers from a 4x4, and it all pretty much goes on the same as on the 4x4. I have some pictures of one that has been done just like that, if you PM me with you e-mail adddress I will send them to you.

it can be done its easier to swap bodies. i tried converting a2wd suburban to4wd and gave up on it

I was hopping it was a fairly easy swap. My Thinking was it was the same frame with 2wd stuff on it and that all the 4wd stuff should bolt right in.

I am in the process of doin the same thing but I am doing a complete body off restore and do all my converting with the body off have 4x4 parts laying around the house so not much out of pocket expense I would suggest using a 4x4 frame if you do not have the parts laying around, it could get expensive if you have to buy all the 4x4 parts seperately.Good luck

The 73-87 frames are not the same between the 2wd and 4wd series. The 4x4's have a larger "hump" where it goes up over the front axle. However, the 2wd can be converted. It requires A LOT of drilling. None of the parts will bolt on. I have not done this swap, but am considering doing it. I have done research and talked to people who have actually done the swap. Almost everyone who has done the swap agrees on one thing: it's really hard to do, and they wish they had just bought another truck or frame to start with instead of trying to convert.

Having said that, I'm still going to attempt it! :D Maybe I'm a glutton for punishment, but I love my truck, and I want a 4x4 (again). I'm even considering trying to swap in an '88 + IFS setup, for ride quality.

Oh yes, don't forget that the swap requires removing the engine, due to having to replace the front cross-member, which is nearly impossible to do with the engine in place. I don't think this job could be done in a weekend.

Well, I went ahead and sold the 2wd truck, and will now look for a 4x4. seems like the easy way out after reading all the posts