4x4 conversions

[82ccshorty]

I have seen that people do 4x4 conversions on this site. Well i have a 76 c30 that i would like to turn into a 4x4. My question is, is it cheaper to do a 4x4 conversion or buy a k30? i know where there is a k30 but neither one of the axles are there pretty much no drivetrain at all. no motor no trans no transfer case and no axles. so what would be cheaper for me? and how hard is a 4x4 conversion?

[N2TRUX]

It really depends on whats common in your area. In some regions where the K trucks are used a lot for snow plows, finding a good K30 might not be cheap. In other areas where they 4wd isn't used much, they are just gas hogs and can be had at a reasonable price. Check Craigslist and see what your region has to offer.

If you can find a complete K30 and its what you want at a fair price then that would be the simplest route to take. If not, then a K30 parts truck would be a good choice. When doing a conversion its best to have a complete donor so the small parts don't nickel and dime you to death.

[82ccshorty]

I could take the c30 and the k30 and make one right?
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[v30crewcab]

its alot easier to just use the k30 frame than the the c30. its alot of work changing the rivets everywhere to swap the spring hangers out.

[spencer_41188]

im getting ready to make my 87 r30 a 4x4 im using a 80 gmc k35 for a parts truck seeing it had a dana 60 and a np205 behind a 400 trans but im doing one better putting a nv4500 in the truck too so hello hiway all the spring hangers and shackles im getting from diy4x.com im thinking about keeping the overloads but changing the main springs to a 1/2 ton truck for a softer ride

[82ccshorty]

I think I'm going to buy the k30 and use everything enterchangable from the c30 on it
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[spencer_41188]

from 73 to 80 all the parts will cross over and you will need to drill a cuple holes for the core support/spring hanger and cut a hole for the shackle eye. you may have to drill some holes for the crossmembers dont worry if the parts truck is a srw as long as it has a dana 60 because dually hubs are easy to come by i got a set from www.extremeaxlesales.com and they where $100.00

the parts im getting from diy4x.com are the b52's, frame eye and templet to cut it out with a plasma, the 64 rear spring hanger and the shackle flip kit for 1ton. im doing this so i can get the 4inch lift i wont but also i will get a softer ride and more wheel travle for off road and i wont the wheels center in the wheel wells

[82ccshorty]

How hard is it to find a Dana 60
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[Mattman2010]

I have done the 4x4 conversion on my crew cab that I have. I just used parts off of a k20 that I had for the front and found some rear spring hangers off of a k30 that someone cut them off of. As for finding a dana 60 that depends on your area. You will just have to keep checking craigslist and see if there are any for sale. A parts truck or a k30 truck would be the best way to go that way you can either swap the body over to the k30 frame or cut the parts off of a parts truck to do the swap.

[82ccshorty]

Originally Posted by Mattman2010

I have done the 4x4 conversion on my crew cab that I have. I just used parts off of a k20 that I had for the front and found some rear spring hangers off of a k30 that someone cut them off of. As for finding a dana 60 that depends on your area. You will just have to keep checking craigslist and see if there are any for sale. A parts truck or a k30 truck would be the best way to go that way you can either swap the body over to the k30 frame or cut the parts off of a parts truck to do the swap.

well i know where there is a k30 crew cab dually but it has no axles under it and no engine or trans. its pretty much just a frame and body. i am considering buying it and fixing it. So i will need to find a dana 60. the guy is suppose to throw in the 14 bolt rear if i buy it.

[Mattman2010]

Well then I guess it depends on how much the guy is asking for it. Is the truck in really good shape? I would say that a Dana 60 would be around $1000, but some times you can get lucky and find them for around $600.

[82ccshorty]

Originally Posted by Mattman2010

Well then I guess it depends on how much the guy is asking for it. Is the truck in really good shape? I would say that a Dana 60 would be around $1000, but some times you can get lucky and find them for around $600.

He wants a 1300$ and it's not negotiatable.
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[Mr. 250r]

how hard is it to find a d60? lol the question is how hard is it to find a reasonably priced one because everyone thinks that axle is like the winning lottery ticket, i would only be interested if its 950 or cheaper i got an 86 d60 and matching rear axle for 850 complete so the deals are out there just gotta wait them out

[Mattman2010]

Originally Posted by 82ccshorty

He wants a 1300$ and it's not negotiatable.
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I hope that thing is in good shape. $1300 seems a lot to me for a non roller with no motor trans or transfer case.

[82ccshorty]

Originally Posted by Mattman2010

I hope that thing is in good shape. $1300 seems a lot to me for a non roller with no motor trans or transfer case.

He said t was I don't know because I haven't looked at the truck yet. He said he thought it was a real solid truck
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[82ccshorty]

Originally Posted by Mr. 250r

how hard is it to find a d60? lol the question is how hard is it to find a reasonably priced one because everyone thinks that axle is like the winning lottery ticket, i would only be interested if its 950 or cheaper i got an 86 d60 and matching rear axle for 850 complete so the deals are out there just gotta wait them out

I found one out of a 1 ton dodge that was 800$ but what's the difference between it and a Chevy?
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[spencer_41188]

http://www.pirate4x4.com/tech/billavista/60_front/ ... this will tell you all the diffreces on the chevy, dodge, and ford dana 60s and yea you can find a dana 60 but people think its gold and when you compair the price of a fully loaded brand spakin new one from curry or crane you will wonder wtf my best advice is to find a compleat truck and part it out and like i said befor it dont have to be a dually dont limit your options

i know a fue people that truck pull and they use a 10bolt or a dana 44 up front and they havent had a problem with axles breaking

and about that truck he said he would throw in a 14bolt! you wont find a 14bolt under a full width dually there all dana70 now a cab and chassis like mine has a 14bolt but it has dually hubs and the brakes are moved over to alow dually hubs

i seen an episode of xtream 4x4 where they made a front axle out of a 14bolt using crane hi clearence parts ... just an idea

[82ccshorty]

Originally Posted by spencer_41188

http://www.pirate4x4.com/tech/billavista/60_front/ ... this will tell you all the diffreces on the chevy, dodge, and ford dana 60s and yea you can find a dana 60 but people think its gold and when you compair the price of a fully loaded brand spakin new one from curry or crane you will wonder wtf my best advice is to find a compleat truck and part it out and like i said befor it dont have to be a dually dont limit your options

i know a fue people that truck pull and they use a 10bolt or a dana 44 up front and they havent had a problem with axles breaking

and about that truck he said he would throw in a 14bolt! you wont find a 14bolt under a full width dually there all dana70 now a cab and chassis like mine has a 14bolt but it has dually hubs and the brakes are moved over to alow dually hubs

i seen an episode of xtream 4x4 where they made a front axle out of a 14bolt using crane hi clearence parts ... just an idea

Could I use a Dana 44 and keep it a dually? I'm not going to be towing with it or anything but I like 4x4 duallys
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[spencer_41188]

yes you could use a dana 44 idk if the dually hub will fit but you can put a 2.5" or a 3" spacer, 6 to 8 lug adapter or 5 to 8 lug adapter inless you wana roll around with mix mached rims

i think the cheapest axle would be the 10bolt because them off road jeep guys love the dana and they will fab up some crazy stuff to make it work

heres a good place to get some ideas on where to find an axle http://www.pirate4x4.com/tech/bible/index.html

[82ccshorty]

I think I'm going to buy it and find a Dana 60. My buddy usually has a few
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[82ccshorty]

what transfer case would a 1980 crew cab with a th400 use? a 205 or 208?

[Mattman2010]

I would say that it has a 205.
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[82ccshorty]

Originally Posted by Mattman2010

I would say that it has a 205.
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thats what i thought but i was unsure

[82ccshorty]

Does anyone have the blues that would be on a 80 model? its a blue and white but idk what color would be on a 80