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*72longbed* · 01-23-2005, 10:01 PM

I found an article in an old 4 Wheel and Off-Road the other day that looks mighty interesting. This guy converted a 72 C20 to 4x4 by simply putting the rear axle under the trailing arms, and constructing a front suspension very similar to a 1978 Ford F150 4x4 with Radius arms and coil springs. He removed all of the stock front suspension down to the engine crossmember. He used an NP205 / Turbo 350 tranny, and a Dana 44 front axle out of a Chevy pickup.

Has anybody ever seen or heard of this type of conversion? Do you 4x4 experts think this is a safe and workable solution for us guys who have put way too much time and money into our 2WD's to sell them but need 4WD capability? From what I read its all "bolt-on" changes and can be reversed very easily.

I'm seriously considering making this change with the price of 70-72 4x4's being so high and me not willing to put another 3 years into getting another truck "just the way I want it".

Anyway, just thought I'd run this by the crowd that knows 4x4's to get some opinions.

Thanks,
72longbed

01-23-2005, 10:01 PM	#1
72longbed Account Suspended Join Date: Jun 2003 Location: PA Posts: 1,411	4WD Conversion Method?? I found an article in an old 4 Wheel and Off-Road the other day that looks mighty interesting. This guy converted a 72 C20 to 4x4 by simply putting the rear axle under the trailing arms, and constructing a front suspension very similar to a 1978 Ford F150 4x4 with Radius arms and coil springs. He removed all of the stock front suspension down to the engine crossmember. He used an NP205 / Turbo 350 tranny, and a Dana 44 front axle out of a Chevy pickup. Has anybody ever seen or heard of this type of conversion? Do you 4x4 experts think this is a safe and workable solution for us guys who have put way too much time and money into our 2WD's to sell them but need 4WD capability? From what I read its all "bolt-on" changes and can be reversed very easily. I'm seriously considering making this change with the price of 70-72 4x4's being so high and me not willing to put another 3 years into getting another truck "just the way I want it". Anyway, just thought I'd run this by the crowd that knows 4x4's to get some opinions. Thanks, 72longbed Last edited by 72longbed; 01-23-2005 at 11:19 PM.