2wd conversion

[OARNGESI]

Hi i just bought a 70 4wd blazer picking it up tomarrow but want a 2wd igot 2 parts trucks one with leafs and the other with coils which is better to use i akso have a transmission how easy is it what else will i need thanks alot

[bouncytruck]

Sport Truck magazine did an article on converting from 4wd to 2wd that might help you - http://www.sporttruck.com/techarticl...ion/index.html

[OARNGESI]

Hey thanks alot is that this months issue

[bouncytruck]

No, its about a year old, but the article is still online.

[70rs/ss]

I've got a buddy in Tucson that has done this exact swap at least 20 ish times?! He is an old pro and they are fairly straight forward, especially with the front crossmember assembly, drill some holes, bolt it on and the front is done more or less. The rear is up to you lowered leafs is the easiest way, the stock coil sprung crossmember and trailing arms will work, but a small half round piece of metal will need to be added to the rear frame rails where the frame sits on the coil springs, as the 4X4 rear frame rails are straight and the 2wd rails have a kick-out to match up with the coil. The other option is to modify the rear 2wd suspension and use bags, etc since you have to fab up some things to get the stock oe set-up to fit, this same amount of work could net you a pretty trick rear suspsion, that could lay pavement (well if you are OK with raising the bedfloor, but, well I am getting off track here!!)


The reasons/methods I mention above are the MAIN reason I question why a guy that wants to customize (read: "REALLY" customize a 2wd Blazer, since none of the 2wd frame atributes are going to be saved if you C-notch the frame (the section you remove to C-notch is the part of the frame with the kickouts, which is the main identifyer of an oe 2wd frame!) and BTW a bit of info, you may not be aware of is that the 4X4 front frame rails are an inch higher than the 2wd's so you get an extra inch of drop when converting a 4X4 frame to 2wd!! If you have questions, LMK and I'll get you in touch with my friend in Tucson, but the article that is linked looks very thorough, good luck and welcome to the 2wd club!!

[LUV2XCLR8]

Originally Posted by 70rs/ss

BTW a bit of info, you may not be aware of is that the 4X4 front frame rails are an inch higher than the 2wd's so you get an extra inch of drop when converting a 4X4 frame to 2wd!!

[OARNGESI]

Thanks alot

[hwyix]

Originally Posted by bouncytruck

Sport Truck magazine did an article on converting from 4wd to 2wd that might help you - http://www.sporttruck.com/techarticl...ion/index.html

I am just putting this info for anybody that might search this thread in the future.

I clicked on that link above, read the story and I then thought I could buy 4wd to 2wd from earlyclassic.com. I emailed them about their kit and the responded right away with this:

from sales <sales@earlyclassic.com>
to Doctor Wrench <doctor.wrench@gmail.com>
date Thu, Jun 4, 2009 at 11:07 AM
subject Re: blazer 4wd to 2wd conversion kit



Sean, we don't have a "kit" for that conversion. As it shows in the article, it requires a used factory front crossmember(preferably a disc brake model). We manufacture drop spindles($249), drop coils($114), and a sway bar for the front($159). We manufacture the trailing arm crossmember and trailing arms($649 for all three) for the rear. We offer drop springs and a Super Track Bar kit for the rear as well as KYB shocks. Upper rear shock mounts will have to be fabricated.
Thanks

[bouncytruck]

I always thought it was odd they were trying to make it look like you can just call and order a kit. You can also pull all the trailing arm stuff from just about any era correct 2wd chevy truck.

If you have a lot of money, you can buy custom frames from http://www.jimmeyerracing.com/

[JayDubBlazer]

They never mentioned how far forward you had to move the engine for the conversion. Did they move the engine so it would be closer to stock configurations or because it would be in the way of the new front suspension assy?

[bouncytruck]

The engines on 4wds were 2" further back from the 2wds. My understanding is they did this to increase the front drive line as much as possible. I have heard that the frame has the holes for both mounting positions, but I've never actually seen it. I don't know if you have to move the engine forward when you use the stock 2wd front suspension though. Hopefully someone who has done a conversion will chime in.

[1sik52]

My Blazer was a 4wd converted to a 2wd and they did not move the engine forward. The distributor is right up against the firewall though. No big deal to me. I am swapping my motor for a LS1 here in a few weeks.