4wd swap, 52 chevy 3600 to 80's chevy 4wd 1/2 ton

[Marv's garage]

Hi, I have a customer who wants 4wd in her 52. Anybody put a 80's 1/2 ton running gear in one? Steering column, Box, V-8, PS, PB, booster, pedals, trans, transfer case, axles. Worried about front end width, reverse wheels?

[Purcell69]

You may need to go with a Jeep front axle from a CJ if you want to keep the wheels inside the fenders. Your best bet will be to measure the overall width hub to hub on the current front axle and go from there. The full sized GM trucks, up through 1987 are all pretty much the same width and will probably have the tires sticking out past the fenders. Another possible donor would be an IH Scout, for a Dana 44. The CJ will probably be the more narrow of the two, and be lighter duty than a Dana 44, maybe a Dana 30. Obviously you will need to relocate the spring perches.

Not too long ago, I saw a Dana 44 housing from a full sized Grand Wagoneer being sold. As I recall the seller listed the width at 48" from the inside of the C for the steering knuckle, if that gives you some idea on the large Jeep stuff. Of course there will be the spindles, hubs etc. on the outer ends that weren't included in the measurement.


-Joe

[mongocanfly]

Many years ago I put a 68 4wd frame and all under my 54..it looked o.k. but never really looked right..it sat to high to get clearance for turning front tires and wheel to wheel well never looked right either.. had also had wondered about using jeep axles to..also with the popularity of the s10 frame swap into the ad trucks what about using a s10 4wd,, never seen one done that way..

[Marv's garage]

Was going to use the orig frame, think rear axle will go in w/ orig springs, not much wider, using 80's springs in front, making hangers to mount. Front is about 6 " wider, am hoping offset wheels will work to bring tires in.

[1-ton of fun]

Why not find a narrower front axle?
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