Converting 2WD Heat Stove to 4WD

[IronCanine]

Just what the world needs now...another heat stove thread. Not even my first . But I've thought for a while you could make a 4WD heat stove from a 2WD one, so tonight I put it to the test.

I had three examples in the old basement, none of which were particularly outstanding by themselves...two were pretty crummy. One was a 2WD with the rearward down pipe bend. The other was was a 4WD. The third is I believe a 4WD example, but without the aft cutout. All are non-A.I.R. versions. Neither of the two 4WD heat stoves ended at the same spot.

I have often wondered if they only stamped 2WD stoves and then just cut them. I have seen 4WD versions that were cut with an upper and lower "tail", or just an upper "tail" as pictured here. Though I can't be sure than mine hasn't just broken. I assume this cutout is clearance for a 4WD dipstick.

There are two half circles on the inner aspect that I used as a reference. Two pics show this point compared between the 2WD version and one of the 4WD versions.

Here are some additional links for the curious...even one to a reproduction heat stove for 76-80 Corvettes which is similar and probably workable for us:

https://67-72chevytrucks.com/vboard/...d.php?t=786952

http://67-72chevytrucks.com/vboard/s...d.php?t=115144

https://www.southerncarparts.com/c3-...gaAr5uEALw_wcB