Frame differences?

[BADAZ chevy guy]

I know everyone says there's no differences between the 4x4 SWB and the 2WD SWB. Does that mean the 4x4 frame has all the holes to bolt the front suspension for a 2WD? I want to get a frame and start a rolling chassis for the build on my 1977 SWB 2WD. I found a frame for $150.00 but just found out it's from a 4x4. I just want to make sure it will work before I fork out money!

[Your41Plague12]

I know the 4x4 stuff will bolt up to a 2wd frame in the front, but I'm not sure about the other way around. Also, the rear spring hangers are different. They give he 4x4 more height in the rear.

[BADAZ chevy guy]

Originally Posted by Your41Plague12

I know the 4x4 stuff will bolt up to a 2wd frame in the front, but I'm not sure about the other way around. Also, the rear spring hangers are different. They give he 4x4 more height in the rear.

Good to know about the rear hangers. Can I mount the OEM 2WD hangers on the rear in place of the 4x4 hangers?
Anyone else know about the front end?

[Tx Firefighter]

Originally Posted by BADAZ chevy guy

I know everyone says there's no differences between the 4x4 SWB and the 2WD SWB

Who is everyone ?

There are differences between the two.

[BADAZ chevy guy]

Originally Posted by Tx Firefighter

Who is everyone ?

There are differences between the two.

An over exaggeration on my part, Sorry.
So what I'm asking is what am I going to run into if I try to use a 4x4 frame for a 2WD?

[Tx Firefighter]

I'm not really a 4x4 guy, but I have stayed at a Holiday Inn.

Off the top of my head, I remember the front section of a 4x4 frame has hangers for the leaf springs built into the frame rails right under the toe board of the cab. That's the main stumbling block when guys convert their 2wd to 4wd is locating the right spots and boring the big holes and bolting the hangers into their 2wd frame rails.

[BADAZ chevy guy]

Originally Posted by Tx Firefighter

I'm not really a 4x4 guy, but I have stayed at a Holiday Inn.

Off the top of my head, I remember the front section of a 4x4 frame has hangers for the leaf springs built into the frame rails right under the toe board of the cab. That's the main stumbling block when guys convert their 2wd to 4wd is locating the right spots and boring the big holes and bolting the hangers into their 2wd frame rails.

I'm actually going to other way 4x4 to 2WD. So, I'll need to cut the hangers off and attach 2WD front suspension.

[Tx Firefighter]

I believe you can just remove the front leaf springs and leave the rear pair of their hangers alone on the frame. They're behind the spot where the 2wd cradle bolts on.

[83GMCK2500]

I didn't read through each post, but I started in the Blazer/Jimmy, Suburban subsection:

trying to convert 4x4 blazer to 2wd
4wd Jimmy to 2wd Jimmy?
Blazer 4wd to 2wd question???
4wd to 2wd 87 K5.
4wd to 2wd Frame Conversion

[PAPABEAR]

let me see if i can help on this, i doing the same thing but to a blazer. you dont have to cut the front spring hangers off but it would look much better without them. and the 2wd crossmember will fit but you will have to drill all new mounting holes, also the 4wd has a crossmember in front that has to go. there is ALOT of rivets that have to be removed. in the rear you will need to swap hangers also or the rear is going to sit sky high. hope this helps.

[BADAZ chevy guy]

First off, I want to thank everyone for your replies. A lot of good information here. However, curiosity got the best of me and I drove to Salt Lake to actually look at what I was dealing with. Although it could be done, the main reason I wanted another frame was to make things easier during my build. Starting with a 4x4 frame isn't going to do this for me. There's just to many modifications I'd have to make.