My shorty 4x4 conversion - The 1947 - Present Chevrolet & GMC Truck Message Board Network

Gene · 03-06-2009, 07:08 PM

Heres what i'm starting with, a 68 short wheelbase frame that I just completed stripping most of the 2wd parts from.

Well, heres the truck i'm starting with, everyone tells me i'm crazy, but i'm also hardheaded!

Gene · 03-06-2009, 07:14 PM

Well I cant upload the frame photo but it is a 68 shorty stripped of all its 2wd parts.

Gene · 03-06-2009, 07:22 PM

This is what the end product will be ( I hope)

tinyt869 · 03-06-2009, 07:32 PM

gene wish you the best of luck with your project
what type of front axle will you be using

Gene · 03-06-2009, 11:13 PM

Either 72 blazer complete suspension or 84 blazer suspension, havent made up my mind yet. Money will be the deciding factor im sure

meansting04 · 03-07-2009, 12:22 AM

good luck. I am with the your crazy crowd, but whatever makes you happy. Keep us posted.

skchevota · 03-07-2009, 01:53 AM

That is going to be awsume. I would go with the 84 stuff, if you use the mounts from the 84, you can run the 73 and up front springs, they are less expencive, and they are longer so they ride and flex better.

mjksharris · 03-07-2009, 12:03 PM

Subscribing to this one!
Goota love the 2wd swb converting to 4x4!!!!!

**special-K** · 03-07-2009, 01:55 PM

Go for it!Gonna be nice.

62 short step · 03-07-2009, 05:24 PM

Cant wait to see some pics of the progress!

Mudder · 03-07-2009, 06:14 PM

I bet you double the value of the truck.............It's a good move and I do not think you are crazy.

Gene · 03-07-2009, 10:14 PM

Found a pretty cheap setup from a 91 suburban, but it has a 203 transfer case, will this bolt to my th350?

skchevota · 03-08-2009, 12:58 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Gene

Found a pretty cheap setup from a 91 suburban, but it has a 203 transfer case, will this bolt to my th350?

yup, but unless you are using it for a doubler, the 203 is kind of a turd..

72blue · 03-08-2009, 01:44 AM

I like the 205 myself...took mine out of the 72 for rebuild and could have gotten away with just seals; inspected the bearings and they looked like the new ones. This is my opinion.
James

*FormerMember* · 03-08-2009, 10:58 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Gene

Found a pretty cheap setup from a 91 suburban, but it has a 203 transfer case, will this bolt to my th350?

91 Burb did not have an NP203 stock.

NP241 is what it SHOULD be...

BTW, pictures of my conversion in my sig thread.

Gene · 03-08-2009, 04:08 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by grendel

91 Burb did not have an NP203 stock.

NP241 is what it SHOULD be...

BTW, pictures of my conversion in my sig thread.

I have viewed all of your pics grendel, nice work! I am torn between doing it the way you did with the aftermarket brackets, or cutting down this 91 burb frame and mounting my body up top. 1st of all I know it will take some body mount modifications, but will it be a hell of a lot more work than transferring the suspension to my existing frame? The burb is all there including steering parts. Basically its a burb minus the body. Either way I will end up with a 91 burb frame because I am trading my cut down 115 wheelbase frame straight across for his rolling chassis. I am getting the good end or will this be a wash?
Thanks!

*FormerMember* · 03-08-2009, 05:37 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Gene

I have viewed all of your pics grendel, nice work! I am torn between doing it the way you did with the aftermarket brackets, or cutting down this 91 burb frame and mounting my body up top. 1st of all I know it will take some body mount modifications, but will it be a hell of a lot more work than transferring the suspension to my existing frame? The burb is all there including steering parts. Basically its a burb minus the body. Either way I will end up with a 91 burb frame because I am trading my cut down 115 wheelbase frame straight across for his rolling chassis. I am getting the good end or will this be a wash?
Thanks!

I think swapping brackets would be easier, but I would also want nice clean frame... if not, cutting down the burb frame and re-setting body mounts might be the way to go. Depends on how good you are with a welder saw and tape measure.

The aftermarket brackets with a stock 2wd frame are simpler fabrication wise.

Gene · 03-08-2009, 09:00 PM

Well, I go after the burb tomorrow. O took a measurement off of a neighbors 78 blazer and it was the same width at the front, and at the rear it was within fractions of an inch. So am I to assume that the only hurdle is the body mounts? Man I feel like a freakin 4 year old asking all these questions so please bear with me!!! As far as the welding and fabrication part, I will leave that up to my dirt track buddy. I can weld, but i'll be damn if I will rely on it holding up to 3000+ lbs!

Gene · 03-12-2009, 05:28 PM

Well, here's how far I have came. I know its just the front clip but I have the bed and cab almost ready to come off also. I have to get my frame stripped because I am trading it to a dude with a 91 burb rolling chassis. I should be ready to send him this frame in about a week or so.

dammitmitchell · 03-12-2009, 11:47 PM

tell u what dude.. some kickey t's on those alloy rims will loooook beautiful..
welcome to our 4x4 world..
now u r going to be heavily tempted to "park" on imports..
good looking truck!

pokethesmot · 03-13-2009, 08:06 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by dammitmitchell

tell u what dude.. some kickey t's on those alloy rims will loooook beautiful..
welcome to our 4x4 world..
now u r going to be heavily tempted to "park" on imports..
good looking truck!

lol the first day i got my truck i was thinking "man, i wanna park on some ones car"

msgross · 03-13-2009, 08:10 PM

that looks like a clean truck.. should be nice.

Gene · 03-13-2009, 08:51 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by dammitmitchell

tell u what dude.. some kickey t's on those alloy rims will loooook beautiful..
welcome to our 4x4 world..
now u r going to be heavily tempted to "park" on imports..
good looking truck!

Man do I wish they were unilug with a 6 bolt pattern, I am litterally going for the look of the truck in the above pics, I have already made a deal for some 6 lug rallies

03-06-2009, 07:08 PM	#1
Gene Registered User Join Date: Aug 2002 Location: Muskogee, Oklahoma Posts: 2,914	My shorty 4x4 conversion Heres what i'm starting with, a 68 short wheelbase frame that I just completed stripping most of the 2wd parts from. Well, heres the truck i'm starting with, everyone tells me i'm crazy, but i'm also hardheaded! Attached Images Last edited by Gene; 03-06-2009 at 07:08 PM. Reason: add photos

03-06-2009, 07:14 PM	#2
Gene Registered User Join Date: Aug 2002 Location: Muskogee, Oklahoma Posts: 2,914	Re: My shorty 4x4 conversion Well I cant upload the frame photo but it is a 68 shorty stripped of all its 2wd parts.

03-06-2009, 07:22 PM	#3
Gene Registered User Join Date: Aug 2002 Location: Muskogee, Oklahoma Posts: 2,914	Re: My shorty 4x4 conversion This is what the end product will be ( I hope) Attached Images

03-06-2009, 07:32 PM	#4
tinyt869 Registered User Join Date: Nov 2008 Location: Union Star MO Posts: 31	Re: My shorty 4x4 conversion gene wish you the best of luck with your project what type of front axle will you be using

03-06-2009, 11:13 PM	#5
Gene Registered User Join Date: Aug 2002 Location: Muskogee, Oklahoma Posts: 2,914	Re: My shorty 4x4 conversion Either 72 blazer complete suspension or 84 blazer suspension, havent made up my mind yet. Money will be the deciding factor im sure

03-07-2009, 12:22 AM	#6
meansting04 Registered User Join Date: Aug 2008 Location: travis afb Posts: 304	Re: My shorty 4x4 conversion good luck. I am with the your crazy crowd, but whatever makes you happy. Keep us posted. __________________ 67 gmc 1/2 ton, 5.0 v6, 4 speed SOLD!! 70 Chevy C-10, 355, th400, 3.73's 2/4 drop

03-07-2009, 01:53 AM	#7
skchevota Registered User Join Date: Oct 2006 Location: Evans, Colorado Posts: 530	Re: My shorty 4x4 conversion That is going to be awsume. I would go with the 84 stuff, if you use the mounts from the 84, you can run the 73 and up front springs, they are less expencive, and they are longer so they ride and flex better.

03-07-2009, 12:03 PM	#8
mjksharris Registered User Join Date: Sep 2008 Location: Bend,OR. Posts: 36	Re: My shorty 4x4 conversion Subscribing to this one! Goota love the 2wd swb converting to 4x4!!!!!

03-07-2009, 01:55 PM	#9
special-K Special Order Join Date: Nov 2004 Location: Mt Airy, MD Posts: 85,858	Re: My shorty 4x4 conversion Go for it!Gonna be nice. __________________ "BUILDING A BETTER WAY TO SERVE THE USA"......67/72......"The New Breed" GMC '67 C1500 Wideside Super Custom SWB: 327/M22/3.42 posi.........."The '67" (project) GMC '72 K2500 Wideside Sierra Custom Camper: 350/TH350/4.10 Power-Lok..."The '72" (rolling) Tim "Don't call me a redneck. I'm a rough cut country gentleman" R.I.P. ~ East Side Low Life ~ El Jay ~ 72BLUZ ~ Fasteddie69 ~ Ron586 ~ 67ChevyRedneck ~ Grumpy Old Man ~

03-07-2009, 05:24 PM	#10
62 short step Senior Member Join Date: Aug 2005 Location: Greenwell Springs, Louisiana Posts: 2,882	Re: My shorty 4x4 conversion Cant wait to see some pics of the progress! __________________ www.louisianaclassictruckclub.com 1965 c-10 86 chevy c/k 20

03-07-2009, 06:14 PM	#11
Mudder Registered User Join Date: Feb 2001 Location: East Central, MO Posts: 11,336	Re: My shorty 4x4 conversion I bet you double the value of the truck.............It's a good move and I do not think you are crazy.

03-07-2009, 10:14 PM	#12
Gene Registered User Join Date: Aug 2002 Location: Muskogee, Oklahoma Posts: 2,914	Re: My shorty 4x4 conversion Found a pretty cheap setup from a 91 suburban, but it has a 203 transfer case, will this bolt to my th350?

03-08-2009, 01:44 AM	#14
72blue Registered User Join Date: Feb 2009 Location: arroyo grande, ca Posts: 206	Re: My shorty 4x4 conversion I like the 205 myself...took mine out of the 72 for rebuild and could have gotten away with just seals; inspected the bearings and they looked like the new ones. This is my opinion. James __________________ James

03-08-2009, 09:00 PM	#18
Gene Registered User Join Date: Aug 2002 Location: Muskogee, Oklahoma Posts: 2,914	Re: My shorty 4x4 conversion Well, I go after the burb tomorrow. O took a measurement off of a neighbors 78 blazer and it was the same width at the front, and at the rear it was within fractions of an inch. So am I to assume that the only hurdle is the body mounts? Man I feel like a freakin 4 year old asking all these questions so please bear with me!!! As far as the welding and fabrication part, I will leave that up to my dirt track buddy. I can weld, but i'll be damn if I will rely on it holding up to 3000+ lbs! Last edited by Gene; 03-08-2009 at 09:02 PM.

03-12-2009, 05:28 PM	#19
Gene Registered User Join Date: Aug 2002 Location: Muskogee, Oklahoma Posts: 2,914	Re: My shorty 4x4 conversion Well, here's how far I have came. I know its just the front clip but I have the bed and cab almost ready to come off also. I have to get my frame stripped because I am trading it to a dude with a 91 burb rolling chassis. I should be ready to send him this frame in about a week or so. Attached Images



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03-12-2009, 11:47 PM	#20
dammitmitchell the pollock Join Date: May 2008 Location: abilene, texas Posts: 4,423	Re: My shorty 4x4 conversion tell u what dude.. some kickey t's on those alloy rims will loooook beautiful.. welcome to our 4x4 world.. now u r going to be heavily tempted to "park" on imports.. good looking truck! __________________ Jack of ALL trades, Master of none.. (but one... procrastination) Army vet 02-08 RIP El Jay! Miss you brother! http://67-72chevytrucks.com/vboard/s...d.php?t=343538 http://67-72chevytrucks.com/vboard/s...d.php?t=386042

03-13-2009, 08:10 PM	#22
msgross Registered User Join Date: Jul 2006 Location: Central PA Posts: 12,201	Re: My shorty 4x4 conversion that looks like a clean truck.. should be nice. __________________ The Garage: 1968 K-10 SWB - "Project Money Pit" 1996 Z-71 - "huntin rig" 1969 C-10 LWB (SOLD) "Project flip that truck or else" 1993 Passport, F@rd 1-ton (SOLD)"Project Cousin Eddie" My Garage Build "The 1,000 footer"

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