4x4 Swap with 6 inch lift help

[Davewitha53]

Hey everyone, new guy here!

I have an 85 c30 Crew Dually that I'm building into an Overlanderand I want to convert to 4wd and I have a question I did not find an answer to.

If I do a 6 inch leaf spring lift on the truck do I need to mess with finding a 4x4 crossmember? I can get the axle and hangers pretty easy, but finding a 4x4 cross member from a 4x4 c30 has proven impossible. I can cut out parts I don't need and weld in braces to the 2wd crossmember as needed. I figure the lift kit should cause the axle clear the 2wd crossmember.

Any advice would be appreciated. Thanks!

[sweetk30]

6" lift might clear maybye a little trimming .

look at www.offroaddesign.com for bolt in 4x4 cross members .

also www.diy4x.com has b52 kits that you can bolt in to make it 4x4 on the front fairly easy .

and fyi the front hanger for the rear leaf springs is 3" shorter than true 4x4 version . the riviot holes dont line up for a bolt in swap . so do a 3" block or 2.5" flip kit from offroad design or diy4x on the rear .

otherwise the only other problem is you need a 4x4 trans crossmember or fab one . unless your doing a divorced t-case .

being 2wd already your setup steering box wise to do a bolt in crossover steering kit .

hope this helps and keep use posted with pics .

[Davewitha53]

Awesome info, thanks!

I knew I have to address the steering and plan on probably a divorced tcase, though I may do a new OD trans with a tcase mounted.

Sounds like i just need 2wd lift spring fir the rear and the 4x4 fir the front, I'm fine welding in the hangers.

[sweetk30]

leaf springs are not 2wd or 4x4 specific for the most part on these trucks .

just pic your hight .

and fyi : c/k 30 trucks are specific on hangers . they do NOT share the same spacing as 1/2 or 3/4 ton on leaf springs spacing in the rear .