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08-20-2003, 10:36 PM
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#1 |
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Registered User
Join Date: Aug 2003
Location: Buffalo, NY
Posts: 115
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4x4 conversion???
Hey 4x4s I'd like to move over to this board full time but first I need the truck, do you think you can help?
I have a 71 GMC LWB 2wd. How do I go about making her into a 4x4. I have inspected the frames on some 4x4s and believe they are essentially the same. 1. First I would have to scrap the front end and make room for the leaf springs (bolt on) and front axle(dana44). 2. Then and put in a crossmember for the transfer case. 3. Hook up the new drive shafts, and I'm off to the bogs....right, or no its not that easy.... Please explain, or post some helpful tips..... or email me at: bdheeter@adelphia.net Thanks |
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08-21-2003, 01:13 AM
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#2 |
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Collector of rusty Items
Join Date: Dec 2001
Location: Sisters,Oregon USA
Posts: 731
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The frames are completely different. A 4x4 frame is like 2 inches narrower than a 2x4. My advice, find a 4x4 frame. I picked one up for 50 bucks, but that is really cheap. I bet you can find one for 200. Believe me, you will not regret it.
You also need a tranny/tcase plus all the linkage. Then you need a different steering box, unless you do a crossover, because the 4x4 is different than 2x4 steering box. I started to do a conversion, but it was cheaper to just buy a 4x4. good luck
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Scrub Sisters, Oregon - Home of the Sisters Rodeo. 70 GMC 1,000,000 + miles 72 K-20 project, 456 Dana60 front, Corp14 rear w/locker, 265R19.5 tires 20-ply. Warn 12k winches both ends, Cross-over steering with raised tie-rod, Powerbox steering, 4500 watt 120-AC power, Air, Hydraulic aux power, 4 inch lift, 5000 lb air-bags both ends. |
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08-27-2003, 10:47 PM
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#3 |
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Join Date: Dec 1999
Location: Eastern - Manitoba Canada, Winnipeg
Posts: 4,369
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Find a 4x4 frame ... 1/2 ton 3/4 ton. truck or suburban 4x4 .. all easily will become a truck 4x4 frame. Much easier swap than taking a 2wd frame and making it 4x4. Just a rolling frame goes for up to $800 here without transfer case and tranny.
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Senior active founding member. 70 3/4 ton GMC Suburban 4x4 250/4 spd. 71 1/2 ton Suburban Chevy 4x4, 350/350 72 Chev 1 ton tow truck 402BB w/Holmes 440 wrecker on propane 2005 FLSTSCI Harley Springer 85 FXSB Harley Lowrider 72 Triumph 650 Bonneville 5spd "Poor people don't have hobbies" Quote from wife. |
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08-28-2003, 12:20 PM
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#4 |
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Senior Member
Join Date: Jul 2001
Location: Muskegon,MI,USA
Posts: 6,026
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It is too bad that you are so far away, the yard where I shop a lot has a real decent frame with front and rear differentials that they would sell for $250. It is a 71 or 72 1/2 ton so it has front disc brakes.
Jim |
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