Is a 4x4 frame the same as a 2wd frame? - The 1947 - Present Chevrolet & GMC Truck Message Board Network

cwilkie · 07-31-2006, 10:52 AM

I have a friend who is wondering if a 4x4 frame is the same as a 2wd frame. He has a 4x4 and there is something wrong with the frame. There are many 2wds around here but next to none 4x4. He's wondering if he can swap in a 2wd frame and just bolts on the 4x4 components.

Chance

Livrat · 07-31-2006, 01:34 PM

The frames are not the same, 2WD frames bulge out in the rear where the 4X4's are straight.. It will not be a "bolt in" swap, But it is possible with alot of work, you can remove all of the spring hangers, mounts and crossmembers and drill tons of holes and put it all on a 2WD frame..

67chevemall · 07-31-2006, 01:38 PM

big job! look harder for a 4X4 frame

extd56 · 07-31-2006, 03:38 PM

How about using a GMC frame that has rear leaf springs? I believe the front should bolt on.

67chevy2wd · 07-31-2006, 05:13 PM

Where is belcourt at in ND. I used to know but have forgot. If I remember right New Salem played them in basket ball and possibly football when we were still 11 man.

badpeanut · 07-31-2006, 08:52 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by extd56

How about using a GMC frame that has rear leaf springs? I believe the front should bolt on.

I believe 4x2 leaf rear trucks use the same frame as coil rear trucks.

extd56 · 07-31-2006, 09:16 PM

A coil spring frame is a lot different in the back than a leaf spring truck, I have 2 of each so it is easy to compare.

badpeanut · 08-01-2006, 08:23 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by extd56

A coil spring frame is a lot different in the back than a leaf spring truck, I have 2 of each so it is easy to compare.

No, see http://www.earlyclassic.com/Tech.asp...=Spring%20Time

cwilkie · 08-01-2006, 10:36 AM

Belcourt is at the top center of North Dakota and about 20 miles south of the Canadian border. Another way to look at it is Belcourt is about 35 miles north of Rugby, North Dakota. Actually, it is located on the Turtle Mountain Indian Reservation. So...Yes...I am Native American!

72 CustomCamper · 08-02-2006, 12:01 AM

Here are 2 pics. The first is a 4x4 frame. The second is a 2wd coil spring frame. Major difference in the rear...

Chuck

6T8 · 08-02-2006, 02:57 PM

Everyone is forgetting the rear shackle mount on the front spring. Frame is also different there. Based on experience, keep looking for 4x4 frame. I have one but Tucson might just be alittle far to drive.........Rick

6869704X4 · 08-05-2006, 12:50 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by 6T8

Everyone is forgetting the rear shackle mount on the front spring. Frame is also different there. Based on experience, keep looking for 4x4 frame. I have one but Tucson might just be alittle far to drive.........Rick

What are the differences there? I am looking for a frame and was under the impression that they were the same.

Maybe someone can post some pics of that area?

72 CustomCamper · 08-05-2006, 10:35 PM

On the 4x4 and leaf spring frames the frame rails are straight. Pic 1...
On the 2wd coil spring frame the frame have a curve in it for the springs to sit on. Pic 2...

6869704X4 · 08-06-2006, 08:15 PM

Thanks 72CustomCamper, but I was asking about what 6T8 said about the rear front spring mounts. The aft part of the frame is easy to spot as far as the difference between coil and leaf.

07-31-2006, 10:52 AM	#1
cwilkie Chance Join Date: Sep 2001 Location: Belcourt ,ND, USA Posts: 750	Is a 4x4 frame the same as a 2wd frame? I have a friend who is wondering if a 4x4 frame is the same as a 2wd frame. He has a 4x4 and there is something wrong with the frame. There are many 2wds around here but next to none 4x4. He's wondering if he can swap in a 2wd frame and just bolts on the 4x4 components. Chance __________________ 1968 Chevrolet Stepside BB 396 w/TH400 1972 Chevrolet 3/4 Ton 4x4 BB 496 w/TH400

07-31-2006, 01:34 PM	#2
Livrat Member #1049 Join Date: Jun 2000 Location: Troy Montana Posts: 3,940	Re: Is a 4x4 frame the same as a 2wd frame? The frames are not the same, 2WD frames bulge out in the rear where the 4X4's are straight.. It will not be a "bolt in" swap, But it is possible with alot of work, you can remove all of the spring hangers, mounts and crossmembers and drill tons of holes and put it all on a 2WD frame..

07-31-2006, 01:38 PM	#3
67chevemall Registered User Join Date: Apr 2003 Location: NB Posts: 3,367	Re: Is a 4x4 frame the same as a 2wd frame? big job! look harder for a 4X4 frame __________________ 1968 Chevy C10 307 3ott fleetside 1967 Chevy C/10 V8, 3spd, fleetside lwb.Sold 1967 Chev C/10 step, 383, M21. SOLD

07-31-2006, 03:38 PM	#4
extd56 Senior Member Join Date: Nov 2004 Location: Vacaville, CA Posts: 2,272	Re: Is a 4x4 frame the same as a 2wd frame? How about using a GMC frame that has rear leaf springs? I believe the front should bolt on.

07-31-2006, 05:13 PM	#5
67chevy2wd Registered User Join Date: Sep 2003 Location: New Salem, ND Posts: 1,558	Re: Is a 4x4 frame the same as a 2wd frame? Where is belcourt at in ND. I used to know but have forgot. If I remember right New Salem played them in basket ball and possibly football when we were still 11 man. __________________ 07 Chevy classic LBZ Duramax (a few mods) '67 Chevy 1/2 ton 2wd (in pieces) '69 Chevy 1/2 ton 2wd (on hold) '71 GMC 3/4 ton 4x4 ‘71 GMC 1/2 ton 2wd suburban

07-31-2006, 09:16 PM	#7
extd56 Senior Member Join Date: Nov 2004 Location: Vacaville, CA Posts: 2,272	Re: Is a 4x4 frame the same as a 2wd frame? A coil spring frame is a lot different in the back than a leaf spring truck, I have 2 of each so it is easy to compare.

08-01-2006, 10:36 AM	#9
cwilkie Chance Join Date: Sep 2001 Location: Belcourt ,ND, USA Posts: 750	Re: Is a 4x4 frame the same as a 2wd frame? Belcourt is at the top center of North Dakota and about 20 miles south of the Canadian border. Another way to look at it is Belcourt is about 35 miles north of Rugby, North Dakota. Actually, it is located on the Turtle Mountain Indian Reservation. So...Yes...I am Native American! __________________ 1968 Chevrolet Stepside BB 396 w/TH400 1972 Chevrolet 3/4 Ton 4x4 BB 496 w/TH400

08-02-2006, 12:01 AM	#10
72 CustomCamper huh ??? Join Date: Nov 2002 Location: Fredericksburg,Va. Posts: 3,368	Re: Is a 4x4 frame the same as a 2wd frame? Here are 2 pics. The first is a 4x4 frame. The second is a 2wd coil spring frame. Major difference in the rear... Chuck Attached Images __________________ 90 Blazer Silverado 350w/ 700R4 and 32" Kelly's "I am a bomb technician. If you see me running try to keep up!"

08-02-2006, 02:57 PM	#11
6T8 Active Member Join Date: Dec 2004 Location: Tucson, AZ Posts: 233	Re: Is a 4x4 frame the same as a 2wd frame? Everyone is forgetting the rear shackle mount on the front spring. Frame is also different there. Based on experience, keep looking for 4x4 frame. I have one but Tucson might just be alittle far to drive.........Rick

08-05-2006, 10:35 PM	#13
72 CustomCamper huh ??? Join Date: Nov 2002 Location: Fredericksburg,Va. Posts: 3,368	Re: Is a 4x4 frame the same as a 2wd frame? On the 4x4 and leaf spring frames the frame rails are straight. Pic 1... On the 2wd coil spring frame the frame have a curve in it for the springs to sit on. Pic 2... Attached Images __________________ 90 Blazer Silverado 350w/ 700R4 and 32" Kelly's "I am a bomb technician. If you see me running try to keep up!"

08-06-2006, 08:15 PM	#14
6869704X4 Registered User Join Date: Jul 2002 Location: SE NM Posts: 769	Re: Is a 4x4 frame the same as a 2wd frame? Thanks 72CustomCamper, but I was asking about what 6T8 said about the rear front spring mounts. The aft part of the frame is easy to spot as far as the difference between coil and leaf. __________________ The more I learn about women, the more I love my truck.

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