2wd to 4 wheel drive swap in progress....ideas?

[gyjackson]

I just stripped the frame of my '72 2wd Custom/10 swb (I'm the second owner, earned it from my grandpa in 1986 with 11,280 miles on it). Nothing left but the rails, crossmembers, and body mount brackets. Whew!...I'm gonna have a pile of good, low mileage (about 70,00 now) parts left over... I am about to begin swapping in all suspension and running gear (including crossmembers) from a SWB 1980 4x4 (drivetrain and title are all that survive....the body is shot!). I know I am gonna get alot of heat for "hacking" up a truck like this, but hey, I kept it this long and my taste changed...I got all the parts...so what the heck. If my tape measure isn't lying to me, I think it should work out well. I hope to end up with a nice, clean, dependable truck that looks like it was born that way. After searching high and low, I really can't find anyone who has followed this method for a 2-4wd conversion. Looks like a few have used the newer frame, shortened it, and fabbed body mounts (none for me, thanks). If anyone has words of wisdom, I am all ears. I will try to make pics and keep 'em updated as I go. I plan to do the tank relocation and shackle flip for a 4" lift. Thanks for all the tips and ideas!!