Can I convert a 77 K10 4spd to 2wd?

[team39763]

I'm looking at buying a 77 K10 with a 350 and a 4spd manual. I was wondering if I could just lose the transfer case and swap on my 2wd crossmember/suspension setup? Will that trans work as a 2wd trans without major mods?
I tried doing converting a mid 80's K5 Blazer to 2wd, but the '78 2wd supsension/crossmember didn't bolt up or have any holes in common so I gave up on it.

[benoit454]

I don't think it would work like that it would need a longer tailshaft or swapped out to a 2wd transmission. As for the front susp. I don't think there is any holes you'd have to drill and make them all to make it 2wd. Maybe just leave the front end on it? and have a 2wd trans and that's it?

[Da88burban]

Heres one on a k5 2wd to 4wd swap and vice versa.
http://67-72chevytrucks.com/vboard/s...d.php?t=168231.

[05Gibbs]

im doing the exact opisite. going from a 2by to a 4by. if u wac closer i would swap you for everything u needed.

[team39763]

Yeah, I followed that link when I first attempted this swap a few months ago on my 80's Blazer. Nothing lined up, no holes matched, there were "0" similarities between the frames. My 2wd donor was a 78 model, so maybe that was the problem?

[Da88burban]

I may be wrong but I think the 2wd crossmember and all the suspension parts are the same from 73-87 c10's (and 88-91 k5 and burb's). And all the 4wd things are the same from those years. But when you swap over from 2wd to 4wd or vice versa you have to drill new holes in the frame because the 2wd and 4wd crossmembers and such do not mount the same way. I believe anyway.

[benoit454]

If you are looking for a bolt in swap no drilling or welding you might as well stop now. I know you are gonna have to drill holes more then likely and may have to drill them for everything. The 2wd front frame/subframe deal bolts in with 7 bolts on each side. You're probably gonna want to or have to cut off the old front core support brackets that hold the front spring hanger. You may have to drill holes for the new trans crossmember. It aint gonna be a simple unbolt and bolt in deal.

[team39763]

I knew I was gonna have to drill some holes and possibly weld some stuff, but I thought there would be atleast one matching hole to use as a reference or guide to work from. I don't trust myself with the measurements and lining it up 100% straight. I couldn't live with myself if someone got hurt because of my lack of skill/knowledge when putting this thing together. I may take it to a buddy that has done some frame work and see if he'll help me out.

[Da88burban]

I would try to make a template of the frame you took the crossmember off of and use the template to mark off where the new holes for whatever frame you are using.

[benoit454]

the steering box, that should be the same and same place, that could be your point of refference, because I heard the 81-87 frames the front core supports mounts are off from a 73-80 so you couldn't use those. I say get a bunch of pics of your frame and post. Only thing I have to look at is a 2wd frame which is on dad's 84.