2wd's~Limited supply but large demand!

[Rokcrln]

With all the 4wd blazers out their and so few 2wd why is it that more people do not convert the 4x's to 2x's? It would not be that much work and from what I remember the frames are just about the same. Swap over the body mount bushings, front X member and the rear trailing arms then do springs or bags and you are set. Then you can swap the tranny/t-case for a reular turbo 350 or AOD. Sure it would not be a "true 2wd" but who has keeped or would want to keep a true 2wd stock anyways?

Am I missing somthing or what? I figure with a 4x4 blazer and a rolling 2wd (long bed frame~ easy to find) it would take about 40 hours to do a correct convertion. Fromwhat I have seen rusted 2wd's selling for it would still be cheaper and you have a lot more to choise from.

Kevin

[FRENCHBLUE72]

i agree with ya kevin if I was rally wanting a 2wd blazer I would drop my 4wd down and convert it.....

[3qtrtontarrer]

2wd blazer ? YUK

[cheyenne10]

I have done some limited research on this one and agree. I would like to see someone who has done it before or takes one on this year write up a FAQ post for the benefit of others. This topic comes up often enough to support this.

I probably will not get close this year but an keeping my eye open for donor to start with.

[krue]

Hey, I happen to have an extra blazer frame and 2wd lwb parts truck laying around.

[Medicanman71]

cuz blazers should be 4x4.... if you want a 2wd, get a camaro

[vtblazer]

Originally Posted by Rokcrln

With all the 4wd blazers out their and so few 2wd why is it that more people do not convert the 4x's to 2x's? Sure it would not be a "true 2wd" but who has keeped or would want to keep a true 2wd stock anyways?

Am I missing somthing or what? I figure with a 4x4 blazer and a rolling 2wd (long bed frame~ easy to find) it would take about 40 hours to do a correct convertion. From what I have seen rusted 2wd's selling for it would still be cheaper and you have a lot more to choise from.

Kevin

Fair question to ask but what seems like child's play to one is major impossible surgery to another.
Skills/room/ambition/tools/machinery, did I mention skills?
See where I'm going here?

It's a good idea but over the "average" person's "I wanna build this" capabilities.
IMO.

[LUV2XCLR8]

A conversion is not a easy thing, as Kurt said, but to each his own, we
have had several members do it on here, like also said above, a detailed
write up on this would be great for the FAQ's section, we need a Voly

[Rokcrln]

Well here in Californina alot of guys would rather spend a good amount of money on a 2wd street toy that will stay nice and not just be a mall crawler. Don't get me wrong I love 4x4's but just a different style then most on this board. As far as a write up goes I will definalty do one if I come accross a good canidate. Or if some one wants one and already has the 4x4 but wants the street toy and they are in my area I will be more then happy to biuld one for them.

I have the shop, tools, skills and ideas for wild things but right now just not the time. I curently have a 68 crew cab 4x4 in the shop getting a full rebuild and upgrade as well as a fourth door! Also waiting in line is my 71 2wd SWB to get finished and a full tube chassie rock crawler 4x4. So as things clear up I will be out looking for a victom.



Kevin

[see ten]

It's not the right year but I am sure the concept is basicaly similar.
http://67-72chevytrucks.com/vboard/s...hlight=lowered

[hotrodhomi]

I might be interested in that. I've been looking for a while and I can't seem to find what I want.

[Rokcrln]

Originally Posted by hotrodhomi

I might be interested in that. I've been looking for a while and I can't seem to find what I want.

I will keep an eye out for both a 2wd and 4wd blazer and let you know if somthing comes up. Are you looking to keep one stock or go crazy with it?

Kevin

[bagged74]

The frames are different in the rear. you can bolt the trailing arm crossmember and trailing arms in, but the frame does not kick out over the arms to mount the springs. you could fab up a mount, but it would be easier to jsut flip the rear axle on top of the leaf springs and go from there.
I too would not hesitate to convert a 4x4, but i dont really need to since I have a "real" 2wd.

[Frizzle Fry]

So what do you think a factory 2wd frame with a rusted out tub (basically a vin tag) is worth these days? Not to hijack, but I know where one is sitting.

[LUV2XCLR8]

Originally Posted by Frizzle Fry

So what do you think a factory 2wd frame with a rusted out tub (basically a vin tag) is worth these days? Not to hijack, but I know where one is sitting.

If I were looking, probably worth 5 bills to me, but that's jmho

[Rokcrln]

Originally Posted by Frizzle Fry

So what do you think a factory 2wd frame with a rusted out tub (basically a vin tag) is worth these days? Not to hijack, but I know where one is sitting.

Well the quick way to look at it is like this.
Price of one in good shape is worth $X so minus what it would cost to repair all the rust. A rocker, inner panel, rocker box, kick panel, and bottom of the "A" post takes about 15-20hours to replace and have it ready for primer and paint. so figure this into it and minus that from $X and that is a reasonable place to start. Most shops charge about $55-$90 per hour for rust repair.

Kevin

[Frizzle Fry]

Shops? We're talkin a tub swap in my garage on this one if I were to pick it up It is a valid answer to a very open question though. Just wondering what a 2wd rolling chassis with vin might be worth since they are getting so rare.

[LUV2XCLR8]

Originally Posted by Frizzle Fry

a 2wd rolling chassis with vin

That right there ups the value, JMHO

[bouncytruck]

Trust me - the thought of converting has crossed my mind. I was seriously considering converting my '69. Now, I keep eyeballing my '72, but I don' think I could bring myself to cut into that one.

I figure when I do get a 2wd, it is probably going to be bagged and the suspension modified enough that it won't matter if it was once a 4wd. When the time comes, if I find a converted rig that was done well, I'd definately consider buying one if I can save some $$$$$$.

[kyle4381]

Mine was 4 wheel drive, I prefer the 2 wheel drive because in the city there is no use for a 4 wheel drive.. They use more gas and cost more to insure..The conversion is pretty straight forward. I am sure more and more people will convert their 4 wheel drives to 2.

[Frizzle Fry]

If you really wanted trailing arms you could just chop down a 2wd coilspring truck frame right? Swap body mounts and there you go.

[vtblazer]

Originally Posted by Frizzle Fry

If you really wanted trailing arms you could just chop down a 2wd coilspring truck frame right? Swap body mounts and there you go.

Seems like the quickest approach.

Would/could save tons of time, especially if both the truck frame and blazer body were in good condition to begin with.

JMO but I'd much rather see that conversion/mod than cutting down a 4x4 blazer.

[Rokcrln]

Originally Posted by vtblazer

Seems like the quickest approach.

Would/could save tons of time, especially if both the truck frame and blazer body were in good condition to begin with.

JMO but I'd much rather see that conversion/mod than cutting down a 4x4 blazer.

They are still talking about useing a 4x4 blazer but not using the frame. As far as the bend in the frame, that is not really needed for the spring mount and could easly built or adapted to work just fine on a leaf spring frame.

Kevin

[vtblazer]

Originally Posted by Rokcrln

They are still talking about useing a 4x4 blazer but not using the frame. As far as the bend in the frame, that is not really needed for the spring mount and could easly built or adapted to work just fine on a leaf spring frame.

Kevin

Yeah, true enough...

Saving old iron either way.

[obsesive23]

Hey frizzle you get that 2wd and lets talk price. I'm down for a road trip.