2WD to Symmetrical AWD? - The 1947 - Present Chevrolet & GMC Truck Message Board Network

Alaskan71 · 02-09-2011, 08:11 PM

This may not be realistically possible, but is there a way to change my 2wd chevy C10 over to a symmetrical AWD system like subaru by just changing out the transfer case, drive shaft, and rear diff? all while keeping my 350 with the possibility of upgrading later to a bigger newer motor?

DirtyLarry · 02-09-2011, 08:29 PM

Yes, there is…

….buy a Subaru or a BMW X-drive car as a second vehicle.

Seriously, the closes you could realistically come to is to retrofit the GM truck Autocrap 4x4 system and even that wouldn’t be worth the hassle.

kSStamp0182 · 02-09-2011, 08:40 PM

my 01 has the autotrac. its quite useless. because you either NEED 4x4, or dont.

Alaskan71 · 02-10-2011, 10:10 PM

Alright, I was just curious and throwing around some different ideas. But thought I'd ask because you guys know a lot more than I do about it
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**Zeke's Garage** · 02-10-2011, 10:31 PM

It probably is pretty pointless, but if you wanted to pursue it, you could look into the AWD systems used on the Bravada, Typhoon and Syclone. Not sure how they would work with your existing diffs, and how much torque they would be able to take, but there are is lot of intereset in the Typhoons and Syclones, so I'm sure you can find a specific forum and get a lot more information.

I love how my Subaru outback feels on wet and loose gravel roads, and I think it would be fun to have a truck that drove that way as well.

it's only time and money... i say go for it.

EDIT: Just noticed you're in Alaska... yeah you need it. Really do it.

Shawn

Alaskan71 · 02-10-2011, 11:30 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Zeke's Garage

It probably is pretty pointless, but if you wanted to pursue it, you could look into the AWD systems used on the Bravada, Typhoon and Syclone. Not sure how they would work with your existing diffs, and how much torque they would be able to take, but there are is lot of intereset in the Typhoons and Syclones, so I'm sure you can find a specific forum and get a lot more information.

I love how my Subaru outback feels on wet and loose gravel roads, and I think it would be fun to have a truck that drove that way as well.

it's only time and money... i say go for it.

EDIT: Just noticed you're in Alaska... yeah you need it. Really do it.

Shawn

I have driven the bravado with it's Awd and it doesn't compare to subaru's Awd, audi's or bmw's. You are right I do live in Alaska and right now drive my 2wd year round with about 9 months of snow, so I thought why not take advantage of the snow and try to convert the Awd system to my benefit. I think having a truck that handled like a Subaru would be a pretty cool project
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BIGBLU 72 · 02-10-2011, 10:51 PM

ive been thinking about AWD for a while and why could you just cut down a Silverado SS frame to fit the body of a short bed?? it has to be able to be done?

Jacfourteen · 02-10-2011, 11:38 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by BIGBLU 72

ive been thinking about AWD for a while and why could you just cut down a Silverado SS frame to fit the body of a short bed?? it has to be able to be done?

With enough skill and money anything is possible, too bad I don't have enough of either to do a job like that!

How well does the awd setup in an SS work in the snow?

Jacfourteen · 02-10-2011, 11:30 PM

I agree that the auto 4wd on the newer chevys doesn't work all that great. I was at a dead stop in the snow in my 01 tahoe and set it to auto and all that happened was the rear tires spun, then I hit the 4wd button and it then I drove without spinning a tire. The 99 explorer that I used to have had the auto 4wd and it worked great it would drive around in 2wd mode until the rear had any tire spin and then it would instantly lock into 4wd. I had that in a foot of snow before with out ever setting it to full time 4wd and it didn't get stuck.

Jacfourteen · 02-10-2011, 11:36 PM

Also I just wanted to mention that the 4wd setups on the newer chevys (at least on mine, not sure on others) isn't symmetrical, meaning it doesn't have a differential in the transfer case. what this means is that if you leave it in 4wd in high traction situations and try to turn it makes lots of noise and strain on the drivetrain, and also has less than desirable handling. The upside is that it has better traction slick conditions.

**N2TRUX** · 02-10-2011, 11:39 PM

If it were me, I would pull the complete drivetrain from a Denali or Escalade.The AWD and 6.2 in my wifes Denali pulls that beast around like mad.

Alaskan71 · 02-11-2011, 01:35 AM

Thanks for the help guys, we'll see where it goes from here but it will be quite a project
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Walts_restoration · 02-11-2011, 01:38 AM

My 78 3/4 ton 4x4 is an allwheel drive. Wouldnt ya know haha. np203 transfer case. Drive slugs on the front wheels.

Alaskan71 · 02-11-2011, 01:42 AM

How does the Awd aspect of it handle? Lemon or better than a straight forward 4wd?
Posted via Mobile Device

02-09-2011, 08:11 PM	#1
Alaskan71 Registered User Join Date: Apr 2010 Location: Anchorage, AK Posts: 18	2WD to Symmetrical AWD? This may not be realistically possible, but is there a way to change my 2wd chevy C10 over to a symmetrical AWD system like subaru by just changing out the transfer case, drive shaft, and rear diff? all while keeping my 350 with the possibility of upgrading later to a bigger newer motor?

02-09-2011, 08:29 PM	#2
DirtyLarry Windy Corner of a Dirty Street Join Date: Jun 2003 Location: Pueblo West, Colorado Posts: 2,926	Re: 2WD to Symmetrical AWD? Yes, there is… ….buy a Subaru or a BMW X-drive car as a second vehicle. Seriously, the closes you could realistically come to is to retrofit the GM truck Autocrap 4x4 system and even that wouldn’t be worth the hassle. __________________ Current vehicle collection: 1978 Chevrolet K10, 8.1L, NV4500, NP205 1989 Chevrolet Suburban, 8.1L, NV4500, NP241 1993 Chevrolet C1500 Sportside, TBI 7.4L, 4L60E 2001 Chevrolet K2500HD, Ext Cab, SWB, 8.1L, ZF 6 speed 2014 Chevrolet Impala LTZ 3.6L Vortec 8.1L because life is too short to tolerate underpowered vehicles Instagram

02-09-2011, 08:40 PM	#3
kSStamp0182 LSX addict Join Date: Jun 2009 Location: Tyler, Texas Posts: 262	Re: 2WD to Symmetrical AWD? my 01 has the autotrac. its quite useless. because you either NEED 4x4, or dont. __________________ -1982 C10 SWB GMC Sierra [undergoing 6.0/4L80E swap with mild restoration]

02-10-2011, 10:10 PM	#4
Alaskan71 Registered User Join Date: Apr 2010 Location: Anchorage, AK Posts: 18	Re: 2WD to Symmetrical AWD? Alright, I was just curious and throwing around some different ideas. But thought I'd ask because you guys know a lot more than I do about it Posted via Mobile Device

02-10-2011, 10:31 PM	#5
Zeke's Garage Senior Member Join Date: Feb 2010 Location: Kennesaw, GA Posts: 288	Re: 2WD to Symmetrical AWD? It probably is pretty pointless, but if you wanted to pursue it, you could look into the AWD systems used on the Bravada, Typhoon and Syclone. Not sure how they would work with your existing diffs, and how much torque they would be able to take, but there are is lot of intereset in the Typhoons and Syclones, so I'm sure you can find a specific forum and get a lot more information. I love how my Subaru outback feels on wet and loose gravel roads, and I think it would be fun to have a truck that drove that way as well. it's only time and money... i say go for it. EDIT: Just noticed you're in Alaska... yeah you need it. Really do it. Shawn Last edited by Zeke's Garage; 02-10-2011 at 10:32 PM. Reason: Holy crap! Geography!

02-10-2011, 10:51 PM	#7
BIGBLU 72 Registered User Join Date: Dec 2008 Location: Ashland, KY Posts: 700	Re: 2WD to Symmetrical AWD? ive been thinking about AWD for a while and why could you just cut down a Silverado SS frame to fit the body of a short bed?? it has to be able to be done? __________________ 68 C10 LWB 2/4 drop 406/th400/3.73posi 04 Silverado SS LQ9 6.0/4L65e/4.11posi AWD

02-10-2011, 11:30 PM	#9
Jacfourteen Big Red - Now its a SWB! Join Date: Jun 2009 Location: Oroville, Ca Posts: 1,624	Re: 2WD to Symmetrical AWD? I agree that the auto 4wd on the newer chevys doesn't work all that great. I was at a dead stop in the snow in my 01 tahoe and set it to auto and all that happened was the rear tires spun, then I hit the 4wd button and it then I drove without spinning a tire. The 99 explorer that I used to have had the auto 4wd and it worked great it would drive around in 2wd mode until the rear had any tire spin and then it would instantly lock into 4wd. I had that in a foot of snow before with out ever setting it to full time 4wd and it didn't get stuck. __________________ 68 3/4 ton (Project)-350 Small Block, .030 over, 10:1 comp, 3998993 heads, C3BX edelbrock intake, comp cams XE268, Holley 670 SA, long tube headers, dual flow 40's, E-fan, Alum rad, currently under the knife getting shortened and bagged build thread 41 3/4 ton (wife's)-flatbed, fully restored to original 01 Tahoe LT 4WD (my daily driver)-Magnaflow Muffler, Rollin on 22's 02 Ford Mustang Convertable (Wife's Car)-Flowmaster 50, Clear corners, Intake, sittin on 18's

02-10-2011, 11:36 PM	#10
Jacfourteen Big Red - Now its a SWB! Join Date: Jun 2009 Location: Oroville, Ca Posts: 1,624	Re: 2WD to Symmetrical AWD? Also I just wanted to mention that the 4wd setups on the newer chevys (at least on mine, not sure on others) isn't symmetrical, meaning it doesn't have a differential in the transfer case. what this means is that if you leave it in 4wd in high traction situations and try to turn it makes lots of noise and strain on the drivetrain, and also has less than desirable handling. The upside is that it has better traction slick conditions. __________________ 68 3/4 ton (Project)-350 Small Block, .030 over, 10:1 comp, 3998993 heads, C3BX edelbrock intake, comp cams XE268, Holley 670 SA, long tube headers, dual flow 40's, E-fan, Alum rad, currently under the knife getting shortened and bagged build thread 41 3/4 ton (wife's)-flatbed, fully restored to original 01 Tahoe LT 4WD (my daily driver)-Magnaflow Muffler, Rollin on 22's 02 Ford Mustang Convertable (Wife's Car)-Flowmaster 50, Clear corners, Intake, sittin on 18's

02-10-2011, 11:39 PM	#11
N2TRUX Happy to be here Join Date: Mar 2000 Location: Cypress, TX Posts: 39,023	Re: 2WD to Symmetrical AWD? If it were me, I would pull the complete drivetrain from a Denali or Escalade.The AWD and 6.2 in my wifes Denali pulls that beast around like mad. __________________ Follow me on Facebook and Instagram @N2trux.com Articles- "Jake" the 84 to 74 crewcab "Elwood" the77_Remix 85 GMC Sierra "Scarlett" "Refining Sierra"

02-11-2011, 01:35 AM	#12
Alaskan71 Registered User Join Date: Apr 2010 Location: Anchorage, AK Posts: 18	Re: 2WD to Symmetrical AWD? Thanks for the help guys, we'll see where it goes from here but it will be quite a project Posted via Mobile Device

02-11-2011, 01:38 AM	#13
Walts_restoration Real Projects never die Join Date: Jan 2007 Location: Lawrence, kansas Posts: 1,508	Re: 2WD to Symmetrical AWD? My 78 3/4 ton 4x4 is an allwheel drive. Wouldnt ya know haha. np203 transfer case. Drive slugs on the front wheels. __________________ Ill put it this way, ive got a few lawn ornaments My name tag says Ryan KansasTwister On other forums

02-11-2011, 01:42 AM	#14
Alaskan71 Registered User Join Date: Apr 2010 Location: Anchorage, AK Posts: 18	Re: 2WD to Symmetrical AWD? How does the Awd aspect of it handle? Lemon or better than a straight forward 4wd? Posted via Mobile Device Last edited by Alaskan71; 02-11-2011 at 01:46 AM.



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