looking for some help- 64 2wd to 4x4 swap/engine help

[vintage_car]

I have a buddy who has a 2wd 64 shortbed, it has the stock straight 6. He would like to make it a 4x4, a daily driver and have reliable drivetrain to work on the farm. No rockcrawling or intent to offroad on purpose, but needs to get out of hilly farm terrain from time to time.
I'm looking for ideas, suggestions, similar build threads.
thanks for the help.

[Clyde65]

keep the 6cyl, put a posi in it with lower gears (4.10) and get a 2004r/7004r tranny ( highway driveability) and put a 2" body lift and a 2" chassis lift. putting a 4x4 front on a classic truck isnt easy or cheap I would think.

[vintage_car]

is there a frame swap that might help in the 4x4 arena?

[62 short step]

I would look for a 60-66 4x4 frame, it would make it so easy. You can find them, they are out there.

[vintage_car]

anything more modern than a 60-66? Just askin'

[Captainfab]

You can use a '73-'87 frame and running gear. It just depends on what you want as a end result, what your fab skills are, and what your local DMV has to say about switching frames, and still being able to title and license said vehicle.

Here is a thread showing a '62 C10 body I mounted onto a '74 C10 frame and running gear.

http://www.67-72chevytrucks.com/vboa...d.php?t=481023

[vintage_car]

fab skills are not an issue, that is an interesting swap. I'm still searching the site, but appreciate any ideas.

['63GENIII]

I swapped a '76 CCDRW to 4x4 about 12 years ago. It wasn't difficult, just time consuming. I ran a TH400 with a divorced spicer 24 t-case. Used alot of grade 8 bolts for the leaf spring mounts. Dana 60 front axle out of a 80's chevy and stock Dana 70 rear. I don't think I'd try to do it again. I'd probably look for a beater 4x4 for the farm. May be faster and cheaper that way. The crew cab that I had eventually worked (and wheeled) really well but my wife had had enough by that point and I ended up selling it.