Another 2wd to 4wd ??

[6600DURAMAX]

I know this has been asked a hundred times but I cannot seem to find the old threads. Ae the 2wd and 4 we'd frame rails the same. I am looking for a 4wd Shortbed frame but have the ability to convert a 2 we'd if the frame rails are the same. What about the rear of a 2wd leaf sorting truck. Are they the same hangers used on a 4wd frame?

Are the body mounts positioned the same as far as height goes?

I am not worried about the cross members as I am going the LS route and will have to fab stuff anyway

Thanks guys

[b454rat]

I only did one, a crew cab, and stuff between the two were different. Can't really comment on 1/2 or 3/4 ton.....

[dbash]

No they are not the same.

4WD frame rails are straight (same dimension between rails) from about the cab back. 2WD are curved for the rear suspension.

4WD frames are 25% stronger give or take.

I would keep searching for a 4WD frame. My truck was a 2WD frame converted to 4WD by the PO and it was a happy day when I chucked that worn out 2WD frame and started building on the real thing.

You can see a 4WD frame in my build thread (click the blue text below)

Good luck on your build, their out there if you search CL.

[Billett]

General consensus on here is that it's cheaper to find a 4wd frame

[6600DURAMAX]

Ok I will continue down that road of looking for a 4wd frame. I search CL everyday just coming up with none so far in my area. I am looking at a 200 mile radius. Would travel further if I have to.

[6600DURAMAX]

New update and ??'s

Found a longbed 4x4 - I would just need to section it down to a Shortbed

OR

Found a Shortbed 2wd with rear leaf springs

Which one will be easier to convert...?

[bhammer]

Just stick to looking for a 4wd frame, they are a pain to find but it will be easier to rebuild off of that than trying to make a 2wd frame work. They are out there though, just have to look. I am in the process of a 4wd shortbed rebuild, I had to drive about 800 miles round trip to get decent frame. I may have an extra frame left over, won't know for a while though. Good luck....

[argonaut]

If you buy the long bed 4x4 frame it is very easy to cut down. 12" from behind the rest cab mount, 8"of the very rear ends.

[OldCreek]

Some 2wd frames, i.e. GMC, are straight in the rear and have leaf springs… Some chevy ones are, also, iirc.

[6600DURAMAX]

So if the 2wd had leafs then they have the same frame as a 4x4? Where the rear hangers the same for the rear leafs?

[lowrollin70gmc]

The rear of the frame would be the same or at least workable. 2wd frames are different in the front where the 2WD crossmember bolts into the frame. If I remember correctly, the 4WDs frame rails sweep higher than the 2WD rails. Easily workable, but it would also be easier and less noticeable to shorten a long bed frame.

[BLAZERMAN]

The 2 wheel drive frame is pretty much the same shape at the front, your 4x4 engine cradle will bolt right in, you will have to change the front core support mounts for the 4x4 versions that have the spring hangers built in. There is a bump out on each side of the frame for the E brake cables that has to be cut out and patched in with flat steel...then you will have to bore about a 2" hole in that spot for the rear upper shackle mounts along with there mounting holes. The rear spring hangers on a leaf spring 2 wheel drive frame are different than the 4x4 hangers but no reason they won't work.
If you have access to a good long bed 4x4 frame your a lot better off shortening it for what your doing.