2WD to 4WD hump - The 1947 - Present Chevrolet & GMC Truck Message Board Network

BigBlocksRule · 05-03-2012, 08:18 AM

I just scored a straight '91 Suburban for one of my next projects. It's 2WD and I want to convert it to 4WD. I understand I can do a 2" body lift to clear the transfer case, but is it possible to swap the tall center hump or is that a major undertaking? I'm fine with a body lift, but if I can get away without it and just go with 4" of suspension lift, it will be something to consider before I start work. This one has a nice, straight frame and I have all the matching 4WD stuff to use, just need the hangers in front and add a crossbrace and I'm good to go. I have a '77 K-5 to use for reference.

I have a couple of kids as does my GF, they like camping and skiing and this will be the perfect rig to let 'em use. I'm not a fan of camping that much (my idea of "roughing it" is a small microwave and TV

). If I'm sleeping in the woods, it'll be in the back of the 'burb. When a bear shows up, close the tailgate and drive off, come back and get what he left tomorrow.

*gmachinz* · 05-03-2012, 12:57 PM

Is it 1/2 or 3/4 ton? The frames are different in terms of height for added strength. Not a huge deal if both trucks are 1 or the other. The 4wd hump is taller than you think...more like 4" off the floor-you can use one as a template to trace onto your floor and cut inside that entire line by an inch all around. If you want a factory look, buy some riv-nuts and pliers so you can drill and secure the hump down for a nice, finished install.
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BigBlocksRule · 05-04-2012, 07:18 AM

Mine is a 2WD. Carpet is fine and I'm sure it needs the body mounts installed anyway. I'll keep researching until I find out just how much I'll need to add to clear, I don't want to cut this thing up too much.

BigBlocksRule · 05-07-2012, 07:44 AM

I remembered a '78 short 4x4 I had bought for parts but left at the guy's place a couple of years ago. It was a rust bucket but has the hump. It looks like it should be pretty much a bolt-in deal after cutting the floor...anything else I need to know before I start cutting?
Any way around the carpet/hump thing? I'm thinking of cutting and gluing a piece of very similar carpet onto the hump right up to the flange, then cutting a hole in the original carpet to make it fit around the hump.
Since this will be a skiing/camping rig, I'd rather go with rubber front to back, but that stuff ain't cheap!

05-03-2012, 08:18 AM	#1
BigBlocksRule Registered User Join Date: Jun 2008 Location: Lubbock, TX Posts: 2,047	2WD to 4WD hump I just scored a straight '91 Suburban for one of my next projects. It's 2WD and I want to convert it to 4WD. I understand I can do a 2" body lift to clear the transfer case, but is it possible to swap the tall center hump or is that a major undertaking? I'm fine with a body lift, but if I can get away without it and just go with 4" of suspension lift, it will be something to consider before I start work. This one has a nice, straight frame and I have all the matching 4WD stuff to use, just need the hangers in front and add a crossbrace and I'm good to go. I have a '77 K-5 to use for reference. I have a couple of kids as does my GF, they like camping and skiing and this will be the perfect rig to let 'em use. I'm not a fan of camping that much (my idea of "roughing it" is a small microwave and TV ). If I'm sleeping in the woods, it'll be in the back of the 'burb. When a bear shows up, close the tailgate and drive off, come back and get what he left tomorrow.

05-03-2012, 12:57 PM	#2
gmachinz Account Suspended Join Date: Jun 2011 Location: Des Moines, IA. Posts: 4,143	Re: 2WD to 4WD hump Is it 1/2 or 3/4 ton? The frames are different in terms of height for added strength. Not a huge deal if both trucks are 1 or the other. The 4wd hump is taller than you think...more like 4" off the floor-you can use one as a template to trace onto your floor and cut inside that entire line by an inch all around. If you want a factory look, buy some riv-nuts and pliers so you can drill and secure the hump down for a nice, finished install. Posted via Mobile Device

05-04-2012, 07:18 AM	#3
BigBlocksRule Registered User Join Date: Jun 2008 Location: Lubbock, TX Posts: 2,047	Re: 2WD to 4WD hump Mine is a 2WD. Carpet is fine and I'm sure it needs the body mounts installed anyway. I'll keep researching until I find out just how much I'll need to add to clear, I don't want to cut this thing up too much.

05-07-2012, 07:44 AM	#4
BigBlocksRule Registered User Join Date: Jun 2008 Location: Lubbock, TX Posts: 2,047	Re: 2WD to 4WD hump I remembered a '78 short 4x4 I had bought for parts but left at the guy's place a couple of years ago. It was a rust bucket but has the hump. It looks like it should be pretty much a bolt-in deal after cutting the floor...anything else I need to know before I start cutting? Any way around the carpet/hump thing? I'm thinking of cutting and gluing a piece of very similar carpet onto the hump right up to the flange, then cutting a hole in the original carpet to make it fit around the hump. Since this will be a skiing/camping rig, I'd rather go with rubber front to back, but that stuff ain't cheap!



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