3/4 ton 2x4 to a 3/4 4x4

[jpmanyhearts]

I just picked up a 3/4 ton 2x4 and I want to convert to a 4x4 I have a late 70 early 80 Border Patrol suburban, now my idea is to pull everything off the suburban and put that under the 70 including the 700r4 4 speed auto, will this work or is the suburban too new ??? any advice or direction would be great thanks in advance all

[dwaite72lnghrn]

Frame is different so you will have to lift the body off the frame. Wheel base is longer on the sub I think so the rear wheels wont sit under the bed correctly. But anything is possible when you want it bad enough.

[jpmanyhearts]

no my idea is to unbolt the front end and role it out from under the suburban pull the diff and tranny then unbolt the rear end and do the same with that and hopefully it will all bolt up my other truck has a 700r4 under it but I don't know from what era it's from are the diffs the same as the 68 to 72 ???

[LONGHAIR]

You are not going to be able to just "bolt-on" a 4x4 conversion. There is a lot more to it than that. I generally recommend against it anyway. If the vehicle you already have was available as 4x4....you are better off to start your project with one of those. "Conversions" are for vehicles that were never available that way in the first place.

[jpmanyhearts]

so your saying to leave well enough alone and just have it as a 2x4 3/4 ton ??? the 4x4 around here are pretty expensive even tho the market is fludded with them a 4x4 shell will run 1200 and I thought since I have this stuff allready why not try lol I just wanted to see if it had allready been done so I would know what I was in for

[GruntMoanCough]

I'm in the middle of a 4x4 conversion on a '68 1 ton, using a '69 3/4 ton for a donor.
Not sure how compatible they are with what you're using is but, I would recommend crawling underneath each of them and taking some measurements to give you an idea of what your dealing with. Should work, IMO.

[mjetie71]

I mounted a 68 cab and front end on a 73 frame and had to make every mount for it and then find a 100 in. box for the bed and slide the rear fenders back. The axles of course matched up. The motor sits low in accordance to the engine comp. I had to make a rear driveshaft I didnot have a factory one So as you can tell anything is possible just take your time have a hoist available set parts where you think they belong step back and look and measure Good luck

[70cst]

I would think long term if you want a 4x4 ... save your money and purchased a 4x4 that left the factory as such. As LONGHAIR said...there is a lot to consider when converting a 2x4 to a 4x4. Then again....if you are mechanically gifted and can do the work then it might be something you will enjoy. Good Luck.