converting from 4x4 to 2x4, whats it take? - The 1947 - Present Chevrolet & GMC Truck Message Board Network

chevy2racr · 07-04-2002, 01:29 PM

subject says it all, just curious, if you ahve a 4x4 frame, what does it take? can you goto a-arm front?
Bryce

**Joesjunk** · 07-04-2002, 01:46 PM

I think you would be better off selling the 4x4 frame and getting a 2wd frame. 2wd frames are not worth hardly anything, but your 4x4 one is. Where I am at you can't sell 2wd long bed frames, no one needs them.

70 Jimmy · 07-04-2002, 02:20 PM

It's very easy. You need:

Cross member, disc to disc.
Brake hoses.
Power steering box.
Sway bar optional.

You will also have to decide if you want to go 5 lug or 6 lug. 6 lug rotors are pricey but so are new rims and coverting your rear.

Also, it's difficult to convert the rear to trailing arms if your looking to do that.

Anyway, the crosmember bolts up to the frame with some holes matching and some that need to be drilled or drilled out. It becomes obvious once it's in position.

I think I got the hard stuff noted. Good Luck.

chevy2racr · 07-05-2002, 12:17 AM

truck 2WD frames are cheap, but if this happened to be a blazer... I'd use the 4x4 for a while, just lookin down the road

Dan69 step · 07-05-2002, 07:16 AM

I'm with finding a 2wd frame ,alot easier in the long run, and 2wd frames are plentiful.It's not that hard to remove/replace cab,bed,etc. Saw a 69 long box the other day near York,NE for $250. Pretty rough but had a nice grille insert.
I was just in Ottumwa to see my uncles and drove back on 34. It's nice to know where others are located.

ckhd · 07-05-2002, 10:04 AM

DON'T DO IT TO A 4X4!! Please?

I agree that you should do some trading. Some people (like me) would lots rather have a 4X4 than 2X4. I have a '72 long bed 2wd. I would trade rolling chassis in a heartbeat! I have little use for a 2X4...

bouncytruck · 07-05-2002, 11:46 AM

There have been plenty of post lately from people with 2wd's wanting to make them 4wd. Why not just trade with one of them and save both of you a lot of time and effort?

7069684X4 · 07-05-2002, 01:10 PM

Am I crazy or are the frames different.

chevy2racr · 07-05-2002, 02:17 PM

yeah, thing is, if I got this blazer I'd keep the 4x4 parts if I converted so I could go back. like I said, its a BLAZER not a truck, so you find plentiful 2WD blazer frames and I think u found a gold mine. I was just curious to know what it'd take
Thanks
Bryce

chevy2racr · 07-05-2002, 11:14 PM

ttt

Mike C · 07-06-2002, 07:16 PM

The rear spring perches are different as well. 2 wheel drives are USUALLY ( The Longhorn I had was 2 1/2") 2 1/4" springs and 4x4 are 2 1/2". Unless it is a Blazer, I would just get another complete chassis and swap all of my running gear and cab onto it. Fewer bolts that way I would think and no grinding blankety-blank rivet heads! As noted previously, it's easy to get rid of a 4x4 but not so much a 2x, but I'll be happy to swap you a complete 2 wheel drive for your 4 wheel drive chassis.

robby · 07-06-2002, 11:44 PM

dont do it, let somebody have the 4x4 stuff that wants it

blazer boy · 07-07-2002, 09:50 AM

when i converted one of my blazers to 2wd , i just swapped in a 2wd rear axle(5 lug) from a truck . and since a blazer has leafs in the back you can do a flip kit to lower the rear end. and i just swapped in the 2wd front crossmember. it was a very easy swap , don't listen to those guys . 2wd frames are impossible to find cheap and in good shape.

07-04-2002, 01:29 PM	#1
chevy2racr So Many Ideas, So Little Money Join Date: Sep 2001 Location: Marshalltown, IA Posts: 1,610	converting from 4x4 to 2x4, whats it take? subject says it all, just curious, if you ahve a 4x4 frame, what does it take? can you goto a-arm front? Bryce __________________ 72 Blazer 3/4 ton running gear 4.10s NP205/TH350 350 4in lift half doors 71 C10 with 454 99 S-10 5.1L SBC 700R4 09 Malibu Marshalltown, Iowa

07-04-2002, 01:46 PM	#2
Joesjunk Senior Member Join Date: May 2001 Location: Independence MO. Posts: 7,726	I think you would be better off selling the 4x4 frame and getting a 2wd frame. 2wd frames are not worth hardly anything, but your 4x4 one is. Where I am at you can't sell 2wd long bed frames, no one needs them. __________________ 72 3/4t Custom Deluxe 402/auto 66k Original paint 71 3/4t 4x4 Custom Deluxe 10k original miles Original paint 71 3/4t Cheyenne 402 70k original paint 72 3/4t 4x4 Custom deluxe 72 3/4t 4x4 Custom deluxe 91k original paint 72 Cheyenne/30 Dually 69 Camaro SS396 4-speed 13 GMC 2500HD Duramax I bought new 05 Jeep Wrangler "Willys Edition" 12k miles (I bought new) 85 3/4 ton 4x4 Scottsdale 33k miles original paint 86 1 ton 4x4 SRW Silverado 454 restored 80 1 ton 4x4 SRW Silverado 9,434 original miles!! original paint 95 GMC 1 ton dually 4x4 my dad bought new 95 GMC 3/4 ton 4x4, regular cab 454, 31k original miles 2002 2500HD 4x4 regular cab 6.0L 67k miles 2002 2500HD 4x4 regular cab 8.1L 28k miles 2003 GMC 2500HD 4x4 regular cab Diesel 93k miles 67-72 Parts for sale

07-04-2002, 02:20 PM	#3
70 Jimmy aka Crusher, Crushergmc Join Date: Mar 2000 Location: Oregon Posts: 1,834	It's very easy. You need: Cross member, disc to disc. Brake hoses. Power steering box. Sway bar optional. You will also have to decide if you want to go 5 lug or 6 lug. 6 lug rotors are pricey but so are new rims and coverting your rear. Also, it's difficult to convert the rear to trailing arms if your looking to do that. Anyway, the crosmember bolts up to the frame with some holes matching and some that need to be drilled or drilled out. It becomes obvious once it's in position. I think I got the hard stuff noted. Good Luck. __________________ "KEEP IT DOWN!" 70 Jimmy 454 2wd 56 GMC Big Window "It's funny till someone gets hurt, then it's freakin' hilarious"

07-05-2002, 12:17 AM	#4
chevy2racr So Many Ideas, So Little Money Join Date: Sep 2001 Location: Marshalltown, IA Posts: 1,610	truck 2WD frames are cheap, but if this happened to be a blazer... I'd use the 4x4 for a while, just lookin down the road __________________ 72 Blazer 3/4 ton running gear 4.10s NP205/TH350 350 4in lift half doors 71 C10 with 454 99 S-10 5.1L SBC 700R4 09 Malibu Marshalltown, Iowa

07-05-2002, 07:16 AM	#5
Dan69 step Registered User Join Date: Nov 2000 Location: Fullerton,NE Posts: 380	I'm with finding a 2wd frame ,alot easier in the long run, and 2wd frames are plentiful.It's not that hard to remove/replace cab,bed,etc. Saw a 69 long box the other day near York,NE for $250. Pretty rough but had a nice grille insert. I was just in Ottumwa to see my uncles and drove back on 34. It's nice to know where others are located. __________________ 69 short step 68 50th Anniversary Gold/ White lwb 72 2wd Blazer 63 Studebaker Avanti 85 Avanti 66 Studebaker Cruiser 49 Studebaker pickup 3-49 Studebaker 1 1/2 truck 94 White/ GMC coe (cabin hauler) 95 chev 2015 chev Duramax 2500

07-05-2002, 10:04 AM	#6
ckhd Registered User Join Date: Oct 2000 Location: St. Johns, Arizona Posts: 2,660	DON'T DO IT TO A 4X4!! Please? I agree that you should do some trading. Some people (like me) would lots rather have a 4X4 than 2X4. I have a '72 long bed 2wd. I would trade rolling chassis in a heartbeat! I have little use for a 2X4... __________________ my 2¢ - t.i.o.l.i. Bowen 1968 K20 fleet 1969 K10 swb fleet 1972 K10 Suburban 1972 C10 lwb step 1992 K1500 'burb 1995 K2500 'burb 1997 C1500 'burb 1999 K1500 2000 K1500 'burb Why do I own so many Suburbans?

07-05-2002, 11:46 AM	#7
bouncytruck SKINNY TIRES RULE! Join Date: Sep 2001 Location: Bothell, WA Posts: 11,038	There have been plenty of post lately from people with 2wd's wanting to make them 4wd. Why not just trade with one of them and save both of you a lot of time and effort? __________________ bouncytruck 1972 K5 The Hauler 1994 K1500 Suburban The Daily2010 Kia Soul Wife's Ride2014 Fiat 500L

07-05-2002, 01:10 PM	#8
7069684X4 Registered User Join Date: Jul 2002 Location: Fla Posts: 29	Am I crazy or are the frames different.

07-05-2002, 02:17 PM	#9
chevy2racr So Many Ideas, So Little Money Join Date: Sep 2001 Location: Marshalltown, IA Posts: 1,610	yeah, thing is, if I got this blazer I'd keep the 4x4 parts if I converted so I could go back. like I said, its a BLAZER not a truck, so you find plentiful 2WD blazer frames and I think u found a gold mine. I was just curious to know what it'd take Thanks Bryce __________________ 72 Blazer 3/4 ton running gear 4.10s NP205/TH350 350 4in lift half doors 71 C10 with 454 99 S-10 5.1L SBC 700R4 09 Malibu Marshalltown, Iowa

07-05-2002, 11:14 PM	#10
chevy2racr So Many Ideas, So Little Money Join Date: Sep 2001 Location: Marshalltown, IA Posts: 1,610	ttt __________________ 72 Blazer 3/4 ton running gear 4.10s NP205/TH350 350 4in lift half doors 71 C10 with 454 99 S-10 5.1L SBC 700R4 09 Malibu Marshalltown, Iowa

07-06-2002, 07:16 PM	#11
Mike C Registered User Join Date: Dec 1999 Location: Austin, TX, USA Posts: 7,738	The rear spring perches are different as well. 2 wheel drives are USUALLY ( The Longhorn I had was 2 1/2") 2 1/4" springs and 4x4 are 2 1/2". Unless it is a Blazer, I would just get another complete chassis and swap all of my running gear and cab onto it. Fewer bolts that way I would think and no grinding blankety-blank rivet heads! As noted previously, it's easy to get rid of a 4x4 but not so much a 2x, but I'll be happy to swap you a complete 2 wheel drive for your 4 wheel drive chassis. __________________ 44 Willys MB 52 M38A1 64 Corvette Coupe 68 Camaro 'vert LT1 & TH700 69 Z/28 355 12.6's @110 69 Chevy Short Step 4 1/2"/7" drop 72 Jimmy 4WD 4spd 4" & 35's 02 GMC 2500HD 4x4 Duramax

07-06-2002, 11:44 PM	#12
robby Semper Fidelis Join Date: Dec 2001 Location: Cedar City, Utah Posts: 654	dont do it, let somebody have the 4x4 stuff that wants it __________________ 72 Chevy C 20 with 402 For sale 85 GMC K2500 83 Trans Am Cedar City, Utah (Missouri Native)

07-07-2002, 09:50 AM	#13
blazer boy Registered User Join Date: Feb 2001 Location: derby ks usa Posts: 115	when i converted one of my blazers to 2wd , i just swapped in a 2wd rear axle(5 lug) from a truck . and since a blazer has leafs in the back you can do a flip kit to lower the rear end. and i just swapped in the 2wd front crossmember. it was a very easy swap , don't listen to those guys . 2wd frames are impossible to find cheap and in good shape.

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