2wd to 4wd.....just curious

[Mike C]

If you want 4 wheel drive without a lift and tires over 33" in height, I would also keep the trailing arm rear and do some conversion in the front. Even if it just meant the factory 4x4 setup parts from a donor. Would be a super cool beach cruiser.

Would take some creative drive-shaft fab, a donor front axle and steering box from a 4 wheel drive unless you do cross-over where you can keep the 2x4 box. Trans and t-case. TH400 and 208 from a square body should be pretty cheap. Would be a cool conversion without a ton of new parts.

[mcmlxix]

Since the Suburban is such a long wheelbase, find a divorced NP205 or buy an Atlas transfer case. You could essentially have a 4x4 without changing the drivetrain...

[FLYNAVY30]

Originally Posted by mcmlxix

Since the Suburban is such a long wheelbase, find a divorced NP205 or buy an Atlas transfer case. You could essentially have a 4x4 without changing the drivetrain...

That would actually make a lot of sense since I already have a built 6.0L LS along with a Gear Star STG II 4L65E.

[HO455]

205s are light and basically bulletproof used to be real cheap but the crawler crowd has decided they are valuable so prices have gone up some. Lots of Ford units out there but they are clocked wrong for our trucks. The Dodge units are set up for the front pumpkin to be on the same side but you may have to use a Dodge crossmember. I don't know this for a fact but something to be aware of. Or build your own crossmember like I did in my 52.

[mcmlxix]

Originally Posted by FLYNAVY30

That would actually make a lot of sense since I already have a built 6.0L LS along with a Gear Star STG II 4L65E.

Also, some states are particular about the partial VIN stamp on the frame matching the body and title.

For the rear, I went with a later model 2004 GMC 2500 with disc brakes and a drum in hat emergency brake. Nice to have 4 wheel disc brakes...

[HO455]

For the quad curious. I stumbled across these photos of a Dodge 205 set up and thought of this thread. Just food for thought. This particular 205 is set up for a PTO winch hence the 2 driveshafts going forward. The driver's side shaft is for the winch.

[FLYNAVY30]

Originally Posted by Mike C

If you want 4 wheel drive without a lift and tires over 33" in height, I would also keep the trailing arm rear and do some conversion in the front. Even if it just meant the factory 4x4 setup parts from a donor. Would be a super cool beach cruiser.

Would take some creative drive-shaft fab, a donor front axle and steering box from a 4 wheel drive unless you do cross-over where you can keep the 2x4 box. Trans and t-case. TH400 and 208 from a square body should be pretty cheap. Would be a cool conversion without a ton of new parts.

Yes, not interested in a monster ride height or tires....essentially looking at stock ride height K20 with 33" tires.

What would the advantages/disadvantages of leaving the rear trailing arm set up while converting the front to leaf springs be as far as ride quality and handling....both on and off road?

[A1971Blazer]

Originally Posted by FLYNAVY30

Yes, not interested in a monster ride height or tires....essentially looking at stock ride height K20 with 33" tires.

What would the advantages/disadvantages of leaving the rear trailing arm set up while converting the front to leaf springs be as far as ride quality and handling....both on and off road?

I have all the parts to convert my '67 2WD (69 frame) to 4WD..it does have the trailing arm and coils in the rear...I'm curious about the ORD front coil-over conversion going on to the 2WD chassis...I'm pretty sure the frames are really close to the same from the front cab mount forward...except of course for the leaf spring mounts
I have a '71Blazer frame to compare
I think a coil front and rear would be a dandy combination.....I'm no longer into hard core off roading...but this would be cool 4WD driver...?