2wd to 4wd and lift?

[Laoich]

The works I s'pose What exactly has to be done to change my Suburban from 2wd to 4, the lift would come easy after that I figure. I'm only worried about how much frame mod there will have to be, and my lack of a welder

Anyone done this to an '87?

Sterling

[bisquik65]

Here is some info. I started with a 80 3/4 4x4 burb , rusted out, I got a 89 2wd burb that had no motor,Here are pics of progress. The body will simply bolt on,( I used a lift to change mine) But no cutting/welding unless you are using a 2wd frame converting to 4x4,Its easier to find a rusted 4x4 frame..: Word of advise,Get you a 3/4 4x4 frame.If you plan on runnig bigger tires and a lift,make sure you put the reinforcing plate behind the steering box,So the frame won't crack,The 3.4 frame is alot thicker..that a 1/2 ton.. You don't want to do a job like this twice If you have any questions at all,I will be glad to help, as i just did this same thing..Thanks,Erick

[Canadianbuilder]

I am in the process of doing the same thing,putting a 89 1/2 ton 2 wheel drive sub on an `82 4x4 3/4 ton chassis.I didn`t quite understand your post.Did you have to put a bodylift in for the tranny tunnel to clear the trans/transfer case?
My 89 had a 700r4 and the lower tunnel and the new chassis is going to have a th400/205 combo.What trans transfer case are you running in yours?Thanks.

[bisquik65]

I didnot use a body lift(I hate those things) And the floor hump does need to be cut out and use a 73-87 bolt on hump(alot more clearance) And if you are using a longbed pickup frame,it is 9 inches shorter that a burb frame,major differences too,I used a 80 3/4 ton 4x4 burb frame so the body sipmly bolted right to it. And the burb is running a 350 (for now) and a 400/205 setup. The H2 wheel work great too. I got them off ebay for 175 new take offs 2005 model.

[Canadianbuilder]

Ok thanks for the info bisquick.I don`t really care much for bodylifts either but I don`t want to cut my tunnel or buy new carpet.
Yeah I know pickups use an entirely different frame,besides the difference in length there is a 2" difference in wheelbase(sub 129.5 pickup 131.5)not to mention the rails are a totally different shape.
I`m putting an 89 2wheel sub on an 82 suburban 3/4 ton 4x4 chassis.I`m going to see if I can get away with a 1" bodylift.If not I`m pretty sure I can clear the tranny/trans with a 2".I`m also running a 4" suspension lift with 33`s.Trans/transfercase combo is the same as yours by the way th400/np205
I like the pics of your burb.The H2 wheels look sharp.I am going to run 16x8 Cragar black soft 8 rims on mine.I`ll post some of mine when I get the chassis ready(its still buried in the snow)and the body ready to switch over.

[Laoich]

Ya'll are talking about a body lift being necasarry (sp?) What really has to be done, what does the tranny have to do with the body?

[Canadianbuilder]

GM used at least 2 different transmission tunnels on the floor of their 73-87 pickups and 73-91 subs,blazers and crewcabs.Generally 4wheel drive vehicles and 2wheel drive trucks with 4 speed manuals were equipped with a higher tunnel on the floor to clear the tranny or trans/transfercase.Usually (if not always)the higher tunnels are bolted in and the top of the tunnel can be unbolted and removed.The lower tunnels were one piece and not removable.I have seen pics of people cutting the top off the lower tunnels and installing a higher tunnel top.I haven`t done it myself so I can`t comment on how much work is involved in doing it or if it fits like a factory install.One thing about doing that though is the original carpeting in the truck won`t fit properly anymore.The carpet in my sub is in mint condition so I don`t want to replace it yet.
In my opinion it is easier and cheaper to install a small body lift either 1 or 2".I`m not sure yet though how much is necessary to clear the trans/transfercase I am using.I have heard 2" but I am going to install polyurethane bodymount bushings.Hopefully with the poly bushings I can get away with a 1"aluminum bodylift.

[bisquik65]

The 1 inch body lift is not a bad idea,it will help alot. I was planning on putting the floor hump in mine. And as far as the 89 body on a 82 frame,thats a bolt on.. The only difference is the body cushion holes are smaller on the 82 frame,i had to torch mine out to fit the 89 cushions to fit down in them,Yes i can get more pics today of the (BEAST) burb..I will post them here...Thanks,Erick

[Canadianbuilder]

Ok bisquick now I`m totally confused lol.Is your tranny tunnel already cut?If not,how much clearance do you have between the tunnel and your tranny/transfercase?If you are still running the lower tunnel and no bodylift and your trans/transfercase aren`t hitting the bottom of the floor than a bodylift or putting the higher tunnel in would be unnecessary.I`m curious as I would prefer not to have any bodylift when I do mine.
As far as the holes in the body mounts on the frame being smaller it is because your frame is from an 80 isn`t it?All the listings for body mount bushing kits I`ve seen list 81-91 as the same kit and 73-80 as a different kit.