1966 SWB 4x2 to 4x4

[Shtudwn]

Hello,

Is it possible to make a 4x4 out of my 1966 SWB 4x2? Newer running gear I assume?

I look at the costs of dropping my truck, which was my first plan, and it gets pretty costly to do it the way I want. That being said I love the look of these trucks as a 4x4. I live in the PNW where a 4x4 would be a great upgrade and something that I might pair with a low profile jetboat or a vintage truck camper.....dunno. Just lots of options.

Am I crazy? .....OK, maybe I shouldn't have asked that question but what's t take to change out the running gear? Im going to do it anyway if I drop my truck so can I go the other way? keep the existing frame?

Thank you all for reading and responding.

Dan

[andyh1956]

I was going that route. Used a '72 frame, all the 67-72 4x4 front bracketry will bolt to the frame. But since 2wd frame was splayed at rear we put later chevy rear springs UNDER the frame & squared them up. did all that work then found a '71 4x4 roller for $400!

[Shtudwn]

Wow. That would be my luck!

[LVPhotos]

If the costs of lowering bothers you, double that and then some for 4x4. Axle with matching gears to rears. Transfer case. 2 drive shafts, springs. Tires, rims, shifters, ect. I bought a Blazer to swap a 56 Willys Jeep wagon on. That was $1500, good luck finding a good running one for that know. The front can be done with tube to hang shackles off. Lots of fab work. Good luck.
Might just stab a mild 2wd lift with mild lift or Dino did long travel air bags.
72chevytrucks.com/vboard/showthread.php?t=282398

[Shtudwn]

Thank you.

The costs don't bother me but I definitely want to consider all options. I really do think these trucks look great in both configurations. I was hoping there might be a "take everything from a 90's PU" or something like that.

Dan

[padresag]

Originally Posted by Shtudwn

Thank you.

The costs don't bother me but I definitely want to consider all options. I really do think these trucks look great in both configurations. I was hoping there might be a "take everything from a 90's PU" or something like that.

Dan

that is not what you said though in the OP
if you happen to look in the faq section it may you what it takes to convert to a 4 x 4 and what years of vehicles that you can swap from
ron

[Shtudwn]

Thank you. I am concerned at spending any money and not considering all options. To be honest, I never considered the 4x4 approach because I just dont see them in the majority of posts....so they must be rare.

Thank you for the reply's.

['63GENIII]

Originally Posted by Shtudwn

Thank you. I am concerned at spending any money and not considering all options. To be honest, I never considered the 4x4 approach because I just dont see them in the majority of posts....so they must be rare.

Thank you for the reply's.

They're out there. And more often than not, cheaper than a 2 to 4 wd conversion. Theres probably double the amount of 2wd trucks rotting while awaiting the completion of a started conversion. Those trucks always lose money when it comes time to sell to the guy who's willing to finish them.

Ive done 2 conversions albeit on newer (square body) trucks and they both had a few traits in common; they both cost the same or more than buying a 4wd in the first place and both took an enormous amount of determination, commitment and time to get them to DD status. And lets not forget about the $$$, which is definitely worth considering.

Would I do another? Probably not

[LVPhotos]

There are more companies out there but here is a easy find for front crossmember.


http://www.skysoffroaddesign.com/col...chevy-sapd-004

[LVPhotos]

[jocko]

I guess I'll go a different direction with my reply. If you're on the fence between lowered 2wd and a 4x4, I'd suggest the very first thing you need to do is to decide the direction you want to go. Which do you prefer? If lowered, great, you already have your truck and you can explore low and high cost ways of getting what you want. If 4x4, then sell it and buy a 4x4. The potential difficulty and investment loss if you sell it are reason enough to not do it since you're still at the crossroads. Cost shouldn't be the driving factor in such a large decision for two very different routes that are BOTH expensive. I like the 4x4s also, I'd really recommend selling (or keeping) what you have and looking for an original 4x4. Plenty available, just gotta look and be patient. I think you'll be happier in the long run if you only lower a 2wd or buy an original 4x4, just gotta decide now, before you start.

[dubds10]

If you really want a 4x4 don't ruin a legit swb 2wd for it. Just sell the 2wd if you don't want a stock or lowered truck, and buy a true 4x4. If you ever want to sell it down the road, you'll take a hit. There are still lots of these trucks out there and you being here in the PNW means there's lots in your area. These trucks pop up on CL daily and if you just drive around east WA you'll see tons. The amount of work and money it takes to do a proper 4wd conversion isn't worth it, and the 4x4 conversions are always a lost cause in the market place.

[66 Burban]

Here are some pics of my low mile (69,xxx) 63 Short, Fleet, BBW, Custom that was converted to 4wd by the previous owner ---- he did an AWESOME job on the conversion. It may be for sale shortly (would consider trade) or I may be selling the complete chassis and running gear as I have a 2wd chassis and prefer it as a 2wd.
PM me if you would like to discuss...

[argonaut]

Do you have metal fabrication skills, tools and time?

I don't think its that expensive to convert a 2wd to a 4wd, but it really depends on what kind of build you want to do, how hard you want to look for parts and how much time and skill you have.

Its easier to drop a truck because there is a TON of aftermarket support and lots of pre-fabricated, bolt on solutions. There is so much demand for lowered C10s these days that everyone and their brother make drop kits. But they cost big money. But that's only if you want to "lay rockers" or something like that. You can still lower the truck a modest few inches with springs and new alignment alone. you can still have a decend ride and look good, but it won't be slammed.

TO me the front suspension suspension is fairly easy to convert because you can buy parts from diy4x or ord or ruffstuff or similar for crossmember, spring and shackle hangers, shackles, etc. And you can buy cheap axles on craiglist all day long.

But what do you want to do with the rear? As was noted the 2wd frames widen out in the rear but you have a few options. You can use crossmembers and rear spring hangers from a 2wd GMC with leaf springs to get a more "factory" looking solution. Or you can leave the trailing arms and relocate the axle under the arms. Or you'll have to do some custom fabrication.

So, what are your goals?