2wd to 4wd.

[autobodyman2]

I have a small firewood business and have noticed some older chevys with dumps on them by my house. What all would it take to convert from 2wd to 4wd. I know a new front axle, transfer case, driveshaft, ujoints. Can anyone kinda give me an idea on price of this swap. How are these 2wd duallys in snow with weight on the back? thanks you all for your help.

[roj2323]

well i'm not a 4x4 guy but here's a few additionals i thought of.

engine mounts
trans crossmember,
rear ring & pinion
pitman arm

it's just my opinion but it would probably be cheaper and faster to just swap frames.

[shelby987]

From what I have read, the general agreement seems to be its easier, quicker, and cheaper to do a full frame swap than it is to hunt down all the parts required and to do the fabrication required......in my opinion, once you were done hunting down all the parts, it would have been easier to start with a donor vehicle.....and if its quicker to swap bodies.....why bother taking the parts off of the 4x4?

[bouncytruck]

You'll also need a steering box, possibly a fan shroud (the engine on a 4wd is set back further to maximize the length of the front driveline), brake lines.

Just swap the frames.

[Palf70Step]

I believe the cab mount are also different for 4x4 and 2wd. I also think the 4x4 has the frame reinforce more in certain areas. You'll also probably need to change the rear from coil/trailing arm to a leaf spring set up (unless you's is already a leaf). Way easier to just swap frames.

[bouncytruck]

Forgot, the cab on a 4wd has a high hump to clear the t-case.

[racerx]

well body man i am in the process of doing what you are asking. well somewhat?? i have a donnor truck. i was able to find a 78 blazer to donate all the pieces. from what i can tell all the frame is the same, almost like the truck came down the line generic, and then it either got a k frame or leafsprings. the floorboard hump bolts into a stamped boss in the two wheeldrive cab. i have also taken the a/c out of the 78 and converted it to fit the 70 firewall. all i can say is patience, lots of it. will try to stay in touch as the project goes on.

[rwgregory]

About 20 years ago I converted a 2-w/d Dodge stepside into a 4x4. I used a
donor truck and can honestly say that is the ONLY way to do it. If you tried
to gather all of the parts necessary to do a clean job you would probably end
up in the funny farm. I was amazed at the amount of parts required that had
to be swapped out in addition to the obvious ones like front axle,trans,
transfer case, etc. You will run into all sorts of surprises as the project
progresses. However, when you finish it, it will be worth the hassles.

[special-K]

If the dump trucks you are refering to are 1t dual rear trucks,then it wouldn`t be that hard to add 4wd.What year range are they in?It is costly to get the 1t front end.If you find a K/30 donor,there`s your firewood truck.Good luck,those trucks are keepers,hard to find.Why not just add a locker?

[TP from Cntl PA]

Where are you cutting wood that you need 4x4? I've ran 2wd trucks in the woods for years and never really needed 4x4............I haul with my '69 1-ton GMC Dually and it will go everywhere I need it too........

Years ago we hauled out with our '69 C-10 250/3spd............Had 33's on the rear and it took alot to stop it...........A few times we had to chain up to get out, but I doubt a 4x4 would have went far either without being chained up, had the center section on the rear pushing mud.

Unless your hauling out through mud/snow, or blazing your own trails, I'd try a 2wd dually first............We run on logging roads as we skid the logs out to them.

[TP from Cntl PA]

We're running the road with it or we'd have more on it...................

Once you haul with a stake body or dump box, you'll never want a regular pickup box again!

[nitor]

I did a frame swap from a 1988. I put my 2wd 1970 GMC on an 88 4X4 frame. Lots of frabrication.

[Chrome8]

Originally Posted by nitor

I did a frame swap from a 1988. I put my 2wd 1970 GMC on an 88 4X4 frame. Lots of frabrication.

I'm kindof thinkin of doing a similar swap with my 72 c10 onto a 88-99 4x4, what were your major problems? wheelbase must be the same huh? IFS rides so nice, plus i want fuel injection and overdrive, the list goes on.

[nitor]

Originally Posted by Chrome8

I'm kindof thinkin of doing a similar swap with my 72 c10 onto a 88-99 4x4, what were your major problems? wheelbase must be the same huh? IFS rides so nice, plus i want fuel injection and overdrive, the list goes on.

The wheelbase was just about an inch longer. The cab mounts had to be fabricated. I had to make a lift for the cab. The steering box on the 70 was on the outside of the frame where as the box on the 88 was on the inside. I had to redo the shift linkage. I really can't think of any more major things off the top of my head. I've attached before and after pics.

[cstanley]

was it worth it? i'd like to do the same swap!