2x4 To 4x4

[Hittman]

I had a '71 3/4T 4x4 frame follow me home the other day. My plan is to swap my '70 C20 body on to this in the next few weeks. The weather hasn't been cooperating just yet however. I'm hoping some of you experts out there may be able to assist me in prepping this frame before the swap.

This frame was originally an auto with the NP205 transfer case. I now have a 4-speed and Rockwell transfer case out of a '69 (my brother got the '69 frame with the '71 mechanicals....don't ask.). Thing is with this set up the location for all the brackets don't line up the same due to the different transfercase. Everything is shifted forward a few inches except for the carrier bearing crossmember. As you can see in the second pic in the upper right hand corner there is a little bracket riveted to the frame that sticks out and is in the way of relocating that crossmember(also shown in the third pic). I want to make sure this little bracket isn't necessary so I can grind off the rivets and get rid of it to relocate the crossmember. Anybody know what this is for? I don't want to do anymore until I know this piece isn't necessary. I have everything mounted in temporarily as a test fit before I drill any holes. All seems good except for that crossmember. Anything else I need to watch out for?

I got this from a friend of mine for $300. He got bored with it once he went through the axles and transfer case, ran new brake lines and covered it all in POR. I would like to give it a better stance with a 2-4 inch lift - but economically. Is it best just to block it? Body lift? Any suggestions would be helpful.

The last pic is from last fall sittin' low in the weeds. Hopefully I will be able to get some finished pics before the weeds start growing again. I'm sure I will be posting again once I begin this project.

Thanks in advance for all your knowledge out there.

[charowsky123]

that bracket looks like e- brake or exhust hinger. cut rivets keep it and modify it if you need it.

[charowsky123]

i think i see e-brake ran in pic two so might just be exhust hanger. hope that helps.

[Hittman]

Thanks charowsky123. Unless anyone else out there knows, I will go ahead and cut it off so I can get moving on this. Anyone out there have any suggestions for lifting it 2-4 inches? Blocks? Body lift?

[Hittman]

By the way, why is it when I post it always shows up as "moved"?

[earl87gta]

I looked on my truck and that braket isnt there so it must not be needed.

[hugger67]

thats a steal for 300.00 that bracket is a exhaust hanger i was wondering if you could take a measurement off of it for me i need to know how long the front springs are from eye to eye and if possible could you take a picture of the front leaf spring hangers by the radiator core support mounts i'm changing my 67 to 4x4 but don't have a 4x4 to go off of and theres no chance of finding a 4x4 frame around here that solid so i'm using the 2x4 and need a few specs thank you very much in advance for any help Andy

[OldCreek]

exhaust hanger... grind off the rivet and then move it to wherever.

[Mudder]

I move all 4x4 related threads here to the 4x4 section. If it's just pictures or something about your year of truck like 67-72 body, interior, motor, etc I leave it where you posted. Some of your questions have been answered here in the 4x4 forum several times. You will get the best 4x4 answers here. Lot of these guys know their stuff.

[Mudder]

For your lift. I don't see a thing wrong with 4" blocks in the rear and springs in the front. Tuff Country is a good lift. Look at a ruler to see how much 2 inches is. You wanna pay what you will have to pay for 2 inches? In 3 months you will be wishing you had went with a 4".

[MN Rooky]

That hanger is for the parking brake cable. I just finished my 4" lift and had to remove the parking brake cable from that hanger. I ended up moving the rear mount to the bottom of the frame and eliminating the hanger to give the rear cable enough slack to the wheel.
MN Rooky

[OldCreek]

I believe the confusion in the mount is the wording. He said top right corner..... but I think the mount he is talking about is in the top left corner in the 2nd picture.... because, it's the same mount in the third picture.
If I'm right about what he's talking about...its an exhaust hanger as you can see it's not being used in the curren ebrake setup.

[Hittman]

Thanks to all you guys for pitching in. Mudder is right, I have had a few questions answered here and I appreciate all the help. Looks like I will be grinding off that silly bracket to make way for the cross member move.

Hugger67 - I will try to get those measurements for you in the next day or two and pics to go along with it. Sounds like you have your work cut out for you - I should stop complaining about all the work I have ahead of me! Good luck!

[Mudder]

Good pastime, not work.

[Hittman]

One more quick question - knowing you are not supposed to block the front axle, and the fact that I probably can't afford new springs just yet, can one just put shackles on the front to lift it up or is there too much side to side stresses going this route too? Sorry, never really worked with a 4x4 yet. I don't look to do any serious off roading but want a solid driver and be able to take it in the fields every once and a while.

What about a body lift? I have a new stock urethane body mount kit to use for the swap - is it crazy to mount those in conjunction with the old body mounts to get a couple inches and just use longer bolts? I am probably out of my gourd asking this one.... Will a body lift alter the steering enough that I need other items for that?

Thanks again

[Mudder]

Body lifts can casue all sorts of things to be stretched out. Brake lines, steering, radiator etc. Look over on the for sale parts forum. I think billsbowtie has a 4 inch rancho lift for sale.

[earl87gta]

you can get add leaf springs for less then 100 that would get you 2in of lift but will stiffen up the ride.
I dont like more then a 2in body lift on these trucks the bumpers are hard to move up so any thing more then that and the gap between the front bumper and the grill looks goofy . with my 3in lift beside the break lines needing moved my steering colume shaft to the steering box hit the iner fender well. with a 2in body lift i didnt have that trouble. since your doing a body swap any way i would say its a good time to do a body lift you can also get a 1in body lift from ORD its one of the best body lifts you can get all aluminam your bolts should come with the kit so no need to get longer ones.

[Hittman]

Well I finally managed to start tearing the old girl apart this weekend. Got the front clip, doors, bench and floor hump removed. Now I just need to disconnect the wires and linkage and locate a cherry pick and get that engine pulled.

I do have a question regarding unhooking the e-brake cable. I unbolted the clamp that holds on the the cable at the foot brake mechanism and pulled the pin but noticed the clamp is wrapped around the cable and won't fit through the firewall hole. There is a little ball capped on the end of the cable within a U-shaped bracket also. What's the best way to remove any or all of this without cutting the cable? Will it come through from the other end?

Also, how does one remove the shifter stick from the tranny (4-speed)? When it comes to pulling the cab off I don't want to have to lift it over the stick on both my existing frame or the 4x4 frame. I'm sure I am missing something obvious here on both questions...

Maybe I can get this blog moved to the 67-72 message board also?

[Yukon Jack]

Regarding the shifter, push down on the metal retainer cap where the shifter goes into the tranny then turn it a bit and it will then pop up so you can remove the shifter.

I can't recall whether you need to be in a specific gear or between a gear when you do this but someone else will remember.

[DirtyLarry]

That sure is a neat project you got going.

Push down and twist on the lock collar. It is best to have the transmission in neutral when you remove the shifter.

I am lost on your ebrake cable question?? Pictures would probably help.

I would not recommend using a body lift. Body lifts should be against the law. Suspension lift deals can be found way too economically compared to suffering the never ending consequences of going the cheap body lift route.