how hard is it to convert to 4 wheel drive - The 1947 - Present Chevrolet & GMC Truck Message Board Network

>X< · 07-02-2002, 05:29 PM

please dont say if i have to ask its too hard. i decided that instead of building a street truck i am going to sell my swb frame and build a 4x out of my 72 3/4 ton parts truck, since its better than my daily driver anyway, but it already has a dan 60 on teh back so all i need is transfer case, transmission, and front susp/ axle. can i swap the whole leaf setup from a 73-87 chevy 3/4 ton? can i swap from a 1/2 ton? can i swap from a 67-72 half ton? i can buy a parts truck but it prob has a dana 44, one of you told me, and i want a dana 60. my uncle has a fab shop so the welding will be no prob, has anyone done this before?thanks ,sean

**JIMs70GMC** · 07-03-2002, 05:33 AM

I know the rear of coil and leaf sprung trucks are different but sounds like you already have a leaf rear suspension. As for the front end I'm not sure probably need to get another truck(4x4) next to yours and see what's different. I'm sure the engine will have to be mounted all the way back so the front end/driveshaft will be ok. The TC mounts to the frame also so you'll need to make sure that spot is clear. The front spring hangers are intregal with the rad core support attachment point. Just things to think about.

bouncytruck · 07-03-2002, 12:07 PM

The half ton will have a D44 and I believe that the 73 + springs are longer than what is on the earlier trucks.

buckshot · 07-03-2002, 11:13 PM

seanh71,are you planning to do alot of serious rock crawling?if not you probably don't need a dana 60.dana 60 fronts are getting kinda pricey.it's hard to find them for less than $1000 now.what is the part truck you found-1/2,3/4,or 1 ton?also,what year is it?buckshot.

>X< · 07-04-2002, 12:31 PM

buckshot, the parts truck that i am using for my project is the one pictured, it is a 72 custom20 3/4 ton lwb fleet, my poriginal plan was build a street truck with that cab but i figured out that i cant afford what i want, but if i build a mud truck i can, my best bet is probably gonna be getting a 73-87 parts truck, so can i use the front susp off of one? i'm not planning on doing any rock crawling, as we dont have any rocks here, but we have lots of mud and swamps, i am using a 500 p 454, so i thought i would have less of a chance of breaking something with a dana 60,is a 44 much weaker? any imput wil be apreciated, thanks, sean

>X< · 07-04-2002, 12:33 PM

bouncytruck, does it matter if the springs are longer? cant i just weld the perches to fit the bigger springs?

Mudder · 07-04-2002, 05:52 PM

Thought about just swapping the body over to a newer 4x4 frame. You can find 73-80 3/4 4x4 frames and running gear around here for 500 bucks or less. its not that big of a job to switch the older body onto a newer frame. Just a thought!

buckshot · 07-04-2002, 06:07 PM

Mudder67 is right.you would probably be better off putting your body on a 3/4 ton 4x4 running gear.why didn't i think of that

buckshot

>X< · 07-04-2002, 10:48 PM

hey mudder, i thought about that, how hard is it to change the body to that frame, how diff is that frame, re-welding body nounts is something i can do, but i wont have to do any bed flor work or change cab floor or anything? does anybody know a site or anybody that has done this before? thanks mudder and buckshot, by the way mudder, that IS your truck under your sig, right? i see that everywhere, just wonderin, you know, some people put other pics under their sig, wasnt your truck in petersons and 4 wheeler?

Mudder · 07-05-2002, 12:35 AM

Give me a few days and ill write up all the details of doing that swap. My body sits on a 77 chassis with 79 axles. Ive had very few ask if the frame is from a newer truck. The newer frame does haave advantages to the older ones. Yes htas my truck under my sig. It was in 4x4Power 2 years ago and on the cover. I have done another photo shoot for 4wheeler but it hasnt made it yet. I have pics of all the mounts for the cab and fron clip. Just have ot fibure out how to scann them to a good size.

blue_69 · 07-05-2002, 03:36 PM

mudder67

I am also interested in some info on that swap it sounds like a good alternative to convert to a 4x4. If you need images resized or anything i can do that if you email them to me jlawren2@twcny.rr.com

bouncytruck · 07-05-2002, 04:19 PM

seanh71, I guess since your going to be doing some custom fabriacting, it should work ok. It sounds like the new frame mudder was talking about might be a better way to go.

>X< · 07-05-2002, 05:07 PM

thatd be great mudder, if anyone knows of a 73-87 4x4 3/4 or 1 ton lwb frame near them please let me know, thanks sean

buckshot · 07-06-2002, 12:26 AM

seanh71,guess what i stumbled across today?an '80 gmc 1 ton 4x4 custom camper.dana 60 front,dana ? dual wheel rear,sm465 tranny,205 transfer case,& a 454.if i only had $2500 it would be mine.i just can't afford it right now

buckshot.

>X< · 07-06-2002, 12:45 AM

damn, thats a good find, i would get it but i cant have any more parts trucks at my house for a while, got to get rid of some first, dont have 2500 either, is that guy willing to part it out, prob not huh

buckshot · 07-06-2002, 01:01 AM

i'll ask when i get a chance to talk to him.what parts are you interested in?the front end and the frame?i kinda have my eye on the tranny&transfer case.i don't know when i'll have a chance to talk to him but,i'll let you know if he decides to part it.

>X< · 07-06-2002, 01:59 PM

i am interested in everyhing but the body, but i can get a trany and transfer case here, the frame and running gear would be great though

trukman1 · 07-12-2002, 05:17 AM

Sean, The 73-up front springs are longer but the diff's are open knuckle which is desireable. Most front end parts interchange easily at the frame due to the front portion of the frames being the same except for the spring length. Remember, the frames on the 73- up trucks had saddle tanks half way back (Frame steps up) and also were longer...approx. 4 5/8" on the LWB. It has been done well but you have to know your stuff. If you have leafs in the rear of your current frame the swap isn't that hard. Coils? That's another story, not impossible but probably not worth the pain. By the way, a coil spring rearend on a four x four sure would be flexy for those rock crawlers out there. Just my .02 cents. Good luck, Gary

Mudder · 07-12-2002, 10:50 AM

working on the info for this swap. Soneone is always want to know this so gonna try to find all the pics of mounts back, etc. Found some of the pics yesterday. Gonna try to put it together for future reference.

neonlarry · 07-15-2002, 09:27 PM

I know the wheel base is different between the lwb 67-72 and 73-87, but does anyone know about the swb? I was thinking that if you could get a short stepside, you could just change the cab and leave the same bed.

Also, I know it would be a lot of work, but does anyone think it could be done cheaper that just buying a 67-72 4x4? Of course, where I live, you never see a 67-72 4x4 for sale for less than $6-8,000. Some people that live near me just got a 69 CST/10 4x4, but I have no idea how much they paid

>X< · 07-15-2002, 10:22 PM

ok, heres my plan, instead of convrting 72 3/4 ton to 4 wheel drive i am prob using a 80(maybe a little earlier or later) 3/4ton 4x4 truck, that is sitting in a field an hour from my house, hope its still there, wont be a prob towing it off, might get it for free, but i am dropping the body from my 72 custom 20 onto it, if the bed doesnt fit right and is too complicated then i'l sell the bed and build a flatbed, uncle has welding shop, so i might do that anyway, no body lift, just gonna save for a while and fork over for superlift 73- 87 12 inch lift, already have dibs on my friends 38 inch TSL's when he gets his new 40's, have a dana 60 rear already, hopefuly the 80's chevy truck will have a np205 and a turbo 400, wish i wouldnt have traded my turbo 400 from 72 for stupid swb frame, which is still for sale, Mudder 67 is prob gonna hate me in a month after all the question that i am going to be asking him, but thanks for the help guys, the idea about putting on later frame is gonna save me tons of money, later, sean

Mudder · 07-16-2002, 02:58 AM

have helped others and will be glad to give you thein info I have stored away in my head. Will get all my pics that i have of mounts together and so info and get it to you. This is why we have cell phones with free long distance!

07-02-2002, 05:29 PM	#1
>X< registered IWATA user Join Date: Feb 2002 Location: Baton Rouge Posts: 4,483	how hard is it to convert to 4 wheel drive please dont say if i have to ask its too hard. i decided that instead of building a street truck i am going to sell my swb frame and build a 4x out of my 72 3/4 ton parts truck, since its better than my daily driver anyway, but it already has a dan 60 on teh back so all i need is transfer case, transmission, and front susp/ axle. can i swap the whole leaf setup from a 73-87 chevy 3/4 ton? can i swap from a 1/2 ton? can i swap from a 67-72 half ton? i can buy a parts truck but it prob has a dana 44, one of you told me, and i want a dana 60. my uncle has a fab shop so the welding will be no prob, has anyone done this before?thanks ,sean Attached Images __________________ -'63 Ford Fairlane 500 coupe, v8, auto, faded and rusty. awaiting built roller 302 and some flat black -'99 Honda Prelude. vtech/5spd. no pipe, no intake, bone stock. awaiting new top end. -01 GMC Yukon SLT 5.3 dented and scratched with a noisy tranny. Take off that Von Dutch hat before i stab you with a 000 Mack.

07-03-2002, 05:33 AM	#2
JIMs70GMC user # 2756 Join Date: Jun 2001 Location: Chesapeake, Virginia Posts: 4,612	I know the rear of coil and leaf sprung trucks are different but sounds like you already have a leaf rear suspension. As for the front end I'm not sure probably need to get another truck(4x4) next to yours and see what's different. I'm sure the engine will have to be mounted all the way back so the front end/driveshaft will be ok. The TC mounts to the frame also so you'll need to make sure that spot is clear. The front spring hangers are intregal with the rad core support attachment point. Just things to think about. __________________ 1970 K25, 8' stepside bed 350/465/205 44 up front, 60 in the rear 4.10s rolling on 33" Dunlop MTs 1986 K5, 350/465/208 Dana 60/14 bolt from a cucv 36" Super Swampers TSL/SX 1983 K20 w/ CUCV axles, 350/700R4/208 sitting on 37" Goodyears 1986 M1031 6.2 diesel, TH400/NP205 locker in the rear and a LS in the front, all stock for now..... 1986 K30, 350/400/205 dana 60 and 14 bolt. I kept the drivetrain. Body/bad and chassis are gone. 1981 K30, 350/465/205 dana 60 and dually 14 bolt. Has a G80, and a flat bed. Going to replace the flat bed. 1985 K20, 350/400/208 10 bolt and SF 14 bolt. I wonder where I can find some 1 tons. Hmmmmm

07-03-2002, 12:07 PM	#3
bouncytruck SKINNY TIRES RULE! Join Date: Sep 2001 Location: Bothell, WA Posts: 11,049	The half ton will have a D44 and I believe that the 73 + springs are longer than what is on the earlier trucks. __________________ bouncytruck 1972 K5 The Hauler 1994 K1500 Suburban The Daily2010 Kia Soul Wife's Ride2014 Fiat 500L

07-04-2002, 12:31 PM	#5
>X< registered IWATA user Join Date: Feb 2002 Location: Baton Rouge Posts: 4,483	buckshot, the parts truck that i am using for my project is the one pictured, it is a 72 custom20 3/4 ton lwb fleet, my poriginal plan was build a street truck with that cab but i figured out that i cant afford what i want, but if i build a mud truck i can, my best bet is probably gonna be getting a 73-87 parts truck, so can i use the front susp off of one? i'm not planning on doing any rock crawling, as we dont have any rocks here, but we have lots of mud and swamps, i am using a 500 p 454, so i thought i would have less of a chance of breaking something with a dana 60,is a 44 much weaker? any imput wil be apreciated, thanks, sean __________________ -'63 Ford Fairlane 500 coupe, v8, auto, faded and rusty. awaiting built roller 302 and some flat black -'99 Honda Prelude. vtech/5spd. no pipe, no intake, bone stock. awaiting new top end. -01 GMC Yukon SLT 5.3 dented and scratched with a noisy tranny. Take off that Von Dutch hat before i stab you with a 000 Mack.

07-04-2002, 12:33 PM	#6
>X< registered IWATA user Join Date: Feb 2002 Location: Baton Rouge Posts: 4,483	bouncytruck, does it matter if the springs are longer? cant i just weld the perches to fit the bigger springs? __________________ -'63 Ford Fairlane 500 coupe, v8, auto, faded and rusty. awaiting built roller 302 and some flat black -'99 Honda Prelude. vtech/5spd. no pipe, no intake, bone stock. awaiting new top end. -01 GMC Yukon SLT 5.3 dented and scratched with a noisy tranny. Take off that Von Dutch hat before i stab you with a 000 Mack.

07-03-2002, 11:13 PM	#4
buckshot Registered User Join Date: Mar 2001 Location: alabama Posts: 156	seanh71,are you planning to do alot of serious rock crawling?if not you probably don't need a dana 60.dana 60 fronts are getting kinda pricey.it's hard to find them for less than $1000 now.what is the part truck you found-1/2,3/4,or 1 ton?also,what year is it?buckshot.

07-04-2002, 05:52 PM	#7
Mudder Registered User Join Date: Feb 2001 Location: East Central, MO Posts: 11,336	Hey Thought about just swapping the body over to a newer 4x4 frame. You can find 73-80 3/4 4x4 frames and running gear around here for 500 bucks or less. its not that big of a job to switch the older body onto a newer frame. Just a thought!

07-04-2002, 06:07 PM	#8
buckshot Registered User Join Date: Mar 2001 Location: alabama Posts: 156	Mudder67 is right.you would probably be better off putting your body on a 3/4 ton 4x4 running gear.why didn't i think of that buckshot

07-04-2002, 10:48 PM	#9
>X< registered IWATA user Join Date: Feb 2002 Location: Baton Rouge Posts: 4,483	hey mudder, i thought about that, how hard is it to change the body to that frame, how diff is that frame, re-welding body nounts is something i can do, but i wont have to do any bed flor work or change cab floor or anything? does anybody know a site or anybody that has done this before? thanks mudder and buckshot, by the way mudder, that IS your truck under your sig, right? i see that everywhere, just wonderin, you know, some people put other pics under their sig, wasnt your truck in petersons and 4 wheeler? __________________ -'63 Ford Fairlane 500 coupe, v8, auto, faded and rusty. awaiting built roller 302 and some flat black -'99 Honda Prelude. vtech/5spd. no pipe, no intake, bone stock. awaiting new top end. -01 GMC Yukon SLT 5.3 dented and scratched with a noisy tranny. Take off that Von Dutch hat before i stab you with a 000 Mack.

07-05-2002, 12:35 AM	#10
Mudder Registered User Join Date: Feb 2001 Location: East Central, MO Posts: 11,336	I can give ya details Give me a few days and ill write up all the details of doing that swap. My body sits on a 77 chassis with 79 axles. Ive had very few ask if the frame is from a newer truck. The newer frame does haave advantages to the older ones. Yes htas my truck under my sig. It was in 4x4Power 2 years ago and on the cover. I have done another photo shoot for 4wheeler but it hasnt made it yet. I have pics of all the mounts for the cab and fron clip. Just have ot fibure out how to scann them to a good size.

07-05-2002, 03:36 PM	#11
blue_69 someday Join Date: Dec 2001 Location: canastota,new york Posts: 629	mudder67 I am also interested in some info on that swap it sounds like a good alternative to convert to a 4x4. If you need images resized or anything i can do that if you email them to me jlawren2@twcny.rr.com __________________ Click Here to search ebay for all 67-72 parts My 72 CST blazer build 72 CST Blazer 4x4 67 2wd swb ( project onion crate ) 86 4x4 lwb plow truck 40 x 60 foot barn to work on all this stuff

07-05-2002, 04:19 PM	#12
bouncytruck SKINNY TIRES RULE! Join Date: Sep 2001 Location: Bothell, WA Posts: 11,049	seanh71, I guess since your going to be doing some custom fabriacting, it should work ok. It sounds like the new frame mudder was talking about might be a better way to go. __________________ bouncytruck 1972 K5 The Hauler 1994 K1500 Suburban The Daily2010 Kia Soul Wife's Ride2014 Fiat 500L

07-05-2002, 05:07 PM	#13
>X< registered IWATA user Join Date: Feb 2002 Location: Baton Rouge Posts: 4,483	thatd be great mudder, if anyone knows of a 73-87 4x4 3/4 or 1 ton lwb frame near them please let me know, thanks sean __________________ -'63 Ford Fairlane 500 coupe, v8, auto, faded and rusty. awaiting built roller 302 and some flat black -'99 Honda Prelude. vtech/5spd. no pipe, no intake, bone stock. awaiting new top end. -01 GMC Yukon SLT 5.3 dented and scratched with a noisy tranny. Take off that Von Dutch hat before i stab you with a 000 Mack.

07-06-2002, 12:26 AM	#14
buckshot Registered User Join Date: Mar 2001 Location: alabama Posts: 156	seanh71,guess what i stumbled across today?an '80 gmc 1 ton 4x4 custom camper.dana 60 front,dana ? dual wheel rear,sm465 tranny,205 transfer case,& a 454.if i only had $2500 it would be mine.i just can't afford it right now buckshot.

07-06-2002, 12:45 AM	#15
>X< registered IWATA user Join Date: Feb 2002 Location: Baton Rouge Posts: 4,483	damn, thats a good find, i would get it but i cant have any more parts trucks at my house for a while, got to get rid of some first, dont have 2500 either, is that guy willing to part it out, prob not huh __________________ -'63 Ford Fairlane 500 coupe, v8, auto, faded and rusty. awaiting built roller 302 and some flat black -'99 Honda Prelude. vtech/5spd. no pipe, no intake, bone stock. awaiting new top end. -01 GMC Yukon SLT 5.3 dented and scratched with a noisy tranny. Take off that Von Dutch hat before i stab you with a 000 Mack.



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07-06-2002, 01:01 AM	#16
buckshot Registered User Join Date: Mar 2001 Location: alabama Posts: 156	i'll ask when i get a chance to talk to him.what parts are you interested in?the front end and the frame?i kinda have my eye on the tranny&transfer case.i don't know when i'll have a chance to talk to him but,i'll let you know if he decides to part it.

07-06-2002, 01:59 PM	#17
>X< registered IWATA user Join Date: Feb 2002 Location: Baton Rouge Posts: 4,483	i am interested in everyhing but the body, but i can get a trany and transfer case here, the frame and running gear would be great though __________________ -'63 Ford Fairlane 500 coupe, v8, auto, faded and rusty. awaiting built roller 302 and some flat black -'99 Honda Prelude. vtech/5spd. no pipe, no intake, bone stock. awaiting new top end. -01 GMC Yukon SLT 5.3 dented and scratched with a noisy tranny. Take off that Von Dutch hat before i stab you with a 000 Mack.

07-12-2002, 05:17 AM	#18
trukman1 Registered User Join Date: Apr 2001 Location: Beavercreek, Ohio 45431 Posts: 737	4X Conversion Sean, The 73-up front springs are longer but the diff's are open knuckle which is desireable. Most front end parts interchange easily at the frame due to the front portion of the frames being the same except for the spring length. Remember, the frames on the 73- up trucks had saddle tanks half way back (Frame steps up) and also were longer...approx. 4 5/8" on the LWB. It has been done well but you have to know your stuff. If you have leafs in the rear of your current frame the swap isn't that hard. Coils? That's another story, not impossible but probably not worth the pain. By the way, a coil spring rearend on a four x four sure would be flexy for those rock crawlers out there. Just my .02 cents. Good luck, Gary

07-12-2002, 10:50 AM	#19
Mudder Registered User Join Date: Feb 2001 Location: East Central, MO Posts: 11,336	I am working on the info for this swap. Soneone is always want to know this so gonna try to find all the pics of mounts back, etc. Found some of the pics yesterday. Gonna try to put it together for future reference.

07-15-2002, 09:27 PM	#20
neonlarry Registered User Join Date: Feb 2002 Location: Vacaville, CA Posts: 2,746	I know the wheel base is different between the lwb 67-72 and 73-87, but does anyone know about the swb? I was thinking that if you could get a short stepside, you could just change the cab and leave the same bed. Also, I know it would be a lot of work, but does anyone think it could be done cheaper that just buying a 67-72 4x4? Of course, where I live, you never see a 67-72 4x4 for sale for less than $6-8,000. Some people that live near me just got a 69 CST/10 4x4, but I have no idea how much they paid __________________ 70 C/10 Light Red 350/TH350, HEI, Duals w/40 series Flows, 91 seat, LED taillights 99 Pontiac S/C GTP, SLP Ram Air hood, GMPP Konis & springs 95 Neon ACR, MP PCM, AFX UDP, 3.0 CAI

07-15-2002, 10:22 PM	#21
>X< registered IWATA user Join Date: Feb 2002 Location: Baton Rouge Posts: 4,483	ok, heres my plan, instead of convrting 72 3/4 ton to 4 wheel drive i am prob using a 80(maybe a little earlier or later) 3/4ton 4x4 truck, that is sitting in a field an hour from my house, hope its still there, wont be a prob towing it off, might get it for free, but i am dropping the body from my 72 custom 20 onto it, if the bed doesnt fit right and is too complicated then i'l sell the bed and build a flatbed, uncle has welding shop, so i might do that anyway, no body lift, just gonna save for a while and fork over for superlift 73- 87 12 inch lift, already have dibs on my friends 38 inch TSL's when he gets his new 40's, have a dana 60 rear already, hopefuly the 80's chevy truck will have a np205 and a turbo 400, wish i wouldnt have traded my turbo 400 from 72 for stupid swb frame, which is still for sale, Mudder 67 is prob gonna hate me in a month after all the question that i am going to be asking him, but thanks for the help guys, the idea about putting on later frame is gonna save me tons of money, later, sean __________________ -'63 Ford Fairlane 500 coupe, v8, auto, faded and rusty. awaiting built roller 302 and some flat black -'99 Honda Prelude. vtech/5spd. no pipe, no intake, bone stock. awaiting new top end. -01 GMC Yukon SLT 5.3 dented and scratched with a noisy tranny. Take off that Von Dutch hat before i stab you with a 000 Mack.

07-16-2002, 02:58 AM	#22
Mudder Registered User Join Date: Feb 2001 Location: East Central, MO Posts: 11,336	I dont hate easily! have helped others and will be glad to give you thein info I have stored away in my head. Will get all my pics that i have of mounts together and so info and get it to you. This is why we have cell phones with free long distance!

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