Need some help/advice a 2wd to 4wd suburban project (pics). - The 1947 - Present Chevrolet & GMC Truck Message Board Network

trevor73402 · 06-21-2011, 09:56 AM

Yeah I've since been doing some reading on this over at CK5 and Pirate 4x4. It seems like it's been done. There are mixed reviews on whether it's a easy job or a pain in the ass. I've read that ORD makes a "kit" for this. I'm going to check into this.
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rcbildr · 06-22-2011, 08:34 PM

I think your best bet would be to find a donor 4x4 burb and either do a body swap or convert the 2wd you have. If you got a donor 4x4 burb all your brackets/hangars will be easily available...and there might be some extras (like interior parts and such) you can set aside as spares. I helped a friend of mine start coverting his 63 chevy truck to a 4x4 and about the only real PITA was busting out the frame rivets at certain stages of the project.

Rogue_Alphonse · 06-22-2011, 08:44 PM

You'd need either a 4x4 trans tunnel or just do a 3" body lift for sure to fit the transfer case. As for a front suspension, it's best to find a donor 4x4 for all the components, in fact [correct me if I'm wrong] I think the steering column might even be different. Try to get your trans and transfer case from another Burb, so you can get the rear driveshaft. As long as you have a front shaft that goes to whatever transfer case you have, it'll fit. If it has a 10-bolt rear, you might be able to find a set of 6-lig axles and brake parts and just "rebuild" your old diff.

I hope you can pull it off though! I love the 1980 front end, and a Burb on top of that being 4x4 would look awesome!

You also got a sweet deal!

06-21-2011, 09:56 AM	#1
trevor73402 Registered User Join Date: Apr 2010 Location: Ardmore, OK Posts: 164	Re: Need some help/advice a 2wd to 4wd suburban project (pics). Yeah I've since been doing some reading on this over at CK5 and Pirate 4x4. It seems like it's been done. There are mixed reviews on whether it's a easy job or a pain in the ass. I've read that ORD makes a "kit" for this. I'm going to check into this. Posted via Mobile Device __________________ 1984 K10 SWB "Coal" 1987 K5 Blazer "Ole Miss" 1979 GMC Jimmy (Project) 2008 F250 CC 4x4 King Ranch 6" lift on 37's (Spartan-ized!!) 2008 Dodge Challenger SRT8 Hemi Orange 2008 HD StreetGlide 2007 HD Custom Fatboy 1980 Suburban (will be for sale or trade soon).

06-22-2011, 08:34 PM	#2
rcbildr Registered User Join Date: Sep 2000 Location: Gold Bar, WA Posts: 1,216	Re: Need some help/advice a 2wd to 4wd suburban project (pics). I think your best bet would be to find a donor 4x4 burb and either do a body swap or convert the 2wd you have. If you got a donor 4x4 burb all your brackets/hangars will be easily available...and there might be some extras (like interior parts and such) you can set aside as spares. I helped a friend of mine start coverting his 63 chevy truck to a 4x4 and about the only real PITA was busting out the frame rivets at certain stages of the project. __________________ My Projects: 1960 GMC 1/2ton with 305 V6 (daily driver) 1963 Chevy 1/2ton 2wd...converting to 4x4 1967 Suburban 1/2ton 2wd My Girlfriends Projects 1985 Chevy Suburban 3/4ton 4x4 with 6.2L diesel, 4" lift, converted to TH-400, Warn Premium manual hubs, & Wildcat 315/75/R16 tires. (daily driver) 1978 Camaro Type LT with a Marine 350 & vortec heads, Rochester Carb, & roller cam 1978 Camaro Z28

06-22-2011, 08:44 PM	#3
Rogue_Alphonse Registered User Join Date: Dec 2009 Location: Gap PA Posts: 280	Re: Need some help/advice a 2wd to 4wd suburban project (pics). You'd need either a 4x4 trans tunnel or just do a 3" body lift for sure to fit the transfer case. As for a front suspension, it's best to find a donor 4x4 for all the components, in fact [correct me if I'm wrong] I think the steering column might even be different. Try to get your trans and transfer case from another Burb, so you can get the rear driveshaft. As long as you have a front shaft that goes to whatever transfer case you have, it'll fit. If it has a 10-bolt rear, you might be able to find a set of 6-lig axles and brake parts and just "rebuild" your old diff. I hope you can pull it off though! I love the 1980 front end, and a Burb on top of that being 4x4 would look awesome! You also got a sweet deal! __________________ 1991 Mustang GT Vert, T-5 w/ Pro 5.0, Trick Flow upper & lower, BBK cold air intake, 3:73, BAMA chip, etc. 1988 K5 Blazer, [coming soon] TBI 400, SM465/NP208, 12 bolt rear, 3:08's, looks like a 1980. 1998 Jeep Grand Cherokee 4.0 fully loaded daily driver! Where there's a will, there's a rig!



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