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#1 |
Registered User
Join Date: Apr 2013
Location: Austin, TX
Posts: 592
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2wd to 4wd.....just curious
Just curious what it takes to change a 3/4 ton 2wd to 4wd, and if you were to do it, what would you upgrade/change from factory in the process? Are there any differences in the 3/4 ton frame between the 2wd and 4wd trucks?
This isn't anything I would be doing in the immediate future, but something I'd consider when I pull the body off the frame in a few years to address the rust in the truck. Thanks!
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1972 C20 Suburban 1964 Corvette Coupe 1997 Lexus LX450 |
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#2 |
What?
Join Date: Jun 2007
Location: Southern California
Posts: 7,617
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Re: 2wd to 4wd.....just curious
Lots of work, and I'd be looking to do a chassis swap instead.
If your current situation is rear coils, they will not be all that great in a solid front axle 4x4 configuration. Haven't seen anything on the frame that makes the two different, just body mounts and suspension parts.
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Chris 1968 K20 Suburban 1972 K10 LWB PU |
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#3 |
Registered User
Join Date: Apr 2013
Location: Austin, TX
Posts: 592
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Re: 2wd to 4wd.....just curious
Thanks Chris, that's kind of what I figured. I imagine if you're going to go that far, it might be worth considering an aftermarket chassis.....depending on where you are on the time vs. money scale.
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1972 C20 Suburban 1964 Corvette Coupe 1997 Lexus LX450 |
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#4 |
What?
Join Date: Jun 2007
Location: Southern California
Posts: 7,617
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Re: 2wd to 4wd.....just curious
I'd just keep your eyes open for a 4x4 67-72 roller burb.
One where the front clip, engine, trans is gone and the tub is rotten. Hopefully with a title, then pop the rusty tub off and send it off to recyclers. Rebuild, clean the new old 4x4 chassis and then swap it under your nice 2wd burb.
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Chris 1968 K20 Suburban 1972 K10 LWB PU |
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#5 |
Registered User
Join Date: Apr 2013
Location: Austin, TX
Posts: 592
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Re: 2wd to 4wd.....just curious
fair enough
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1972 C20 Suburban 1964 Corvette Coupe 1997 Lexus LX450 |
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#6 |
Account Suspended
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Location: Tacoma, WA
Posts: 6,873
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Re: 2wd to 4wd.....just curious
Use a long bed truck 4wd chassis, same as suburban when you add suburban body mount brackets, easy peasy
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#7 |
What?
Join Date: Jun 2007
Location: Southern California
Posts: 7,617
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Re: 2wd to 4wd.....just curious
Swapping a LWB PU frame is doable, but it is not a direct replacement.
It will need fabrication to work, plus the burb frame is longer in the back since the rear bumper mounts to the frame unlike the PU's.
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Chris 1968 K20 Suburban 1972 K10 LWB PU |
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#8 |
Registered User
Join Date: Jun 2013
Location: Somewhere
Posts: 3,082
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Re: 2wd to 4wd.....just curious
Many trucks use swingarms, while 4x4s use leaf springs. I imagine you can use either but check the diff ratios...
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#9 |
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Location: Locust grove, Ga
Posts: 2,234
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Re: 2wd to 4wd.....just curious
So let me jump in this and first I’m gonna be the guy to argue everyone that says it’s too much work to convert a frame, after all swapping frames requires a ton of stuff to be moved. The real question that should be asked is do you just want to go 4wd or go with a big lift at the same time? I’ll keep my mouth shut till you reply to that question as to keep confusion down. But I ran a 2wd could spring LWB chassis setup as 4wd on 37s with no tire rub and glad I did because the truck is now 2wd again and took just half a day to put back
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70 C10 highschool truck now C20 cummins powered 72 Crew Denali, Bigger, Stronger, Faster, well you get the point..... the ole 65 continental Syclone killer AWD T56 LS Paypal please pay as Goods&Services Madkidd00000007@yahoo.com |
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#10 |
Registered User
Join Date: Apr 2013
Location: Austin, TX
Posts: 592
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Re: 2wd to 4wd.....just curious
No, if I were to eventually convert my truck to 4wd, it would not be to put a big lift and huge tires on it
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1972 C20 Suburban 1964 Corvette Coupe 1997 Lexus LX450 |
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#11 |
Registered User
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Location: Locust grove, Ga
Posts: 2,234
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Re: 2wd to 4wd.....just curious
Well I’m that case need another chassis because of the rear coil spring setup. I’ve flipped the axle under the trailing arms but just that alone gives you about 6.5” of lift from 2wd height so for stock height 4wd that’s too much. What randy said is something to keep in mind about a truck chassis, I may be wrong but I think only 72 the rear bumper bolted directly to the frame and the older models used brackets
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70 C10 highschool truck now C20 cummins powered 72 Crew Denali, Bigger, Stronger, Faster, well you get the point..... the ole 65 continental Syclone killer AWD T56 LS Paypal please pay as Goods&Services Madkidd00000007@yahoo.com |
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#12 |
Post Whore
![]() Join Date: Feb 2016
Location: Portland Oregon
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Re: 2wd to 4wd.....just curious
It is a long ways away (unless you can swing a transfer to Whidbey Island) but a prime candidate.
https://seattle.craigslist.org/tac/p...942130058.html
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Thanks to Bob and Jeanie and everyone else at Superior Performance for all their great help. ![]() RIP Bob Parks. 1967 Burban (the WMB),1988 S10 Blazer (the Stink10 II),1969 GTO (the Goat), 1970 Javelin, 1952 F2 Ford OHC six 4X4, 29 Model A, 72 Firebird (the DBP Bird). 85 Alfa Romeo If it breaks I didn't want it in the first place The WMB repair thread http://67-72chevytrucks.com/vboard/s...d.php?t=698377 |
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#13 |
Registered User
Join Date: Apr 2013
Location: Austin, TX
Posts: 592
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Re: 2wd to 4wd.....just curious
yea, that would be a good candidate....unfortunately, this project is still a few years out. That being said, its pretty apparent that a full chassis swap is probably the easiest way to go.
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1972 C20 Suburban 1964 Corvette Coupe 1997 Lexus LX450 |
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#14 |
Post Whore
![]() Join Date: Feb 2016
Location: Portland Oregon
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Re: 2wd to 4wd.....just curious
When your ready reach out to richard2717. He is has been known to part out Burbans from time to time. I believe he is in Maryland which is somewhat closer. And he is a real nice guy to boot.
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Thanks to Bob and Jeanie and everyone else at Superior Performance for all their great help. ![]() RIP Bob Parks. 1967 Burban (the WMB),1988 S10 Blazer (the Stink10 II),1969 GTO (the Goat), 1970 Javelin, 1952 F2 Ford OHC six 4X4, 29 Model A, 72 Firebird (the DBP Bird). 85 Alfa Romeo If it breaks I didn't want it in the first place The WMB repair thread http://67-72chevytrucks.com/vboard/s...d.php?t=698377 |
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#15 |
Registered User
Join Date: Apr 2013
Location: Austin, TX
Posts: 592
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Re: 2wd to 4wd.....just curious
will do, thanks!
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1972 C20 Suburban 1964 Corvette Coupe 1997 Lexus LX450 |
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#16 |
Registered User
Join Date: Apr 2013
Location: Austin, TX
Posts: 592
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Re: 2wd to 4wd.....just curious
In doing a little more research into a chassis swap, does anyone know if the '73 and later K20 Suburban chassis will work under the '67-'72 Suburban body? If so, how much work does it take to adapt?
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1972 C20 Suburban 1964 Corvette Coupe 1997 Lexus LX450 |
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#17 |
Collector of Projects
Join Date: Apr 2003
Location: Las Vegas
Posts: 3,106
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Re: 2wd to 4wd.....just curious
No Limit Engineering out of Tennessee can build you a fully boxed chassis to what ever specs you want.
If it was me (and can't afford a new chassis) I would do a B52 swap on the front from www.diy4x.com and find someone to build beefier rear trailing arms and use go 4 link in the rear... |
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#18 | |
Registered User
Join Date: Apr 2013
Location: Austin, TX
Posts: 592
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Re: 2wd to 4wd.....just curious
Quote:
Its fully how all of these shops advertise aftermarket, Pro-Touring style frames, but nobody is advertising aftermarket frames optimized for 4x4 applications. I'd be curious to see what they charge for a fully boxed frame that is essentially a stiffer version of the factory frame, that would accept all of the factory body and suspension mounting points.
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1972 C20 Suburban 1964 Corvette Coupe 1997 Lexus LX450 |
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#19 |
Registered User
Join Date: Dec 1999
Location: Austin, TX, USA
Posts: 7,721
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Re: 2wd to 4wd.....just curious
If you want 4 wheel drive without a lift and tires over 33" in height, I would also keep the trailing arm rear and do some conversion in the front. Even if it just meant the factory 4x4 setup parts from a donor. Would be a super cool beach cruiser.
Would take some creative drive-shaft fab, a donor front axle and steering box from a 4 wheel drive unless you do cross-over where you can keep the 2x4 box. Trans and t-case. TH400 and 208 from a square body should be pretty cheap. Would be a cool conversion without a ton of new parts.
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44 Willys MB 52 M38A1 64 Corvette Coupe 68 Camaro 'vert LT1 & TH700 69 Z/28 355 12.6's @110 69 Chevy Short Step 4 1/2"/7" drop 72 Jimmy 4WD 4spd 4" & 35's 02 GMC 2500HD 4x4 Duramax |
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#20 |
Collector of Projects
Join Date: Apr 2003
Location: Las Vegas
Posts: 3,106
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Re: 2wd to 4wd.....just curious
Since the Suburban is such a long wheelbase, find a divorced NP205 or buy an Atlas transfer case. You could essentially have a 4x4 without changing the drivetrain...
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#21 | |
Registered User
Join Date: Apr 2013
Location: Austin, TX
Posts: 592
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Re: 2wd to 4wd.....just curious
Quote:
Yes, not interested in a monster ride height or tires....essentially looking at stock ride height K20 with 33" tires. What would the advantages/disadvantages of leaving the rear trailing arm set up while converting the front to leaf springs be as far as ride quality and handling....both on and off road?
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1972 C20 Suburban 1964 Corvette Coupe 1997 Lexus LX450 |
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#22 |
Registered User
Join Date: Apr 2013
Location: Austin, TX
Posts: 592
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Re: 2wd to 4wd.....just curious
That would actually make a lot of sense since I already have a built 6.0L LS along with a Gear Star STG II 4L65E.
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1972 C20 Suburban 1964 Corvette Coupe 1997 Lexus LX450 |
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#23 |
Post Whore
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Location: Portland Oregon
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Re: 2wd to 4wd.....just curious
205s are light and basically bulletproof used to be real cheap but the crawler crowd has decided they are valuable so prices have gone up some. Lots of Ford units out there but they are clocked wrong for our trucks. The Dodge units are set up for the front pumpkin to be on the same side but you may have to use a Dodge crossmember. I don't know this for a fact but something to be aware of. Or build your own crossmember like I did in my 52.
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Thanks to Bob and Jeanie and everyone else at Superior Performance for all their great help. ![]() RIP Bob Parks. 1967 Burban (the WMB),1988 S10 Blazer (the Stink10 II),1969 GTO (the Goat), 1970 Javelin, 1952 F2 Ford OHC six 4X4, 29 Model A, 72 Firebird (the DBP Bird). 85 Alfa Romeo If it breaks I didn't want it in the first place The WMB repair thread http://67-72chevytrucks.com/vboard/s...d.php?t=698377 |
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#24 |
Registered User
Join Date: Apr 2013
Location: Austin, TX
Posts: 592
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Re: 2wd to 4wd.....just curious
good info, thanks!
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1972 C20 Suburban 1964 Corvette Coupe 1997 Lexus LX450 |
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#25 |
Registered User
Join Date: Dec 1999
Location: Austin, TX, USA
Posts: 7,721
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Re: 2wd to 4wd.....just curious
The trailing arms ride smoother with their coils than the leafs and they naturally inhibit spring wrap up. You can buy taller rear coils which would let you match height to whatever conversion method you used in the front at least up to a few inches.
I prefer an integral T-case over a non integral, but either work. One interesting thing about the non integral is you can have a longer front shaft and a shorter rear shaft. One of the reasons the 4x4 motor is back so much further than the 2x4 is to get enough length on the front shaft. If it were mine, I would consider stock HD '73 and up front springs, an 8.5" 10 bolt with 8 lug wheels and either DIY4x4 or '73 spring brackets. The '73 springs are a little longer and should ride a little smoother. I would also try and find a passenger flat top knuckle and do crossover steering using you factory 2x4 box. Once it was together, pick some new rear springs to match front rid height. Might make sense to swap a 14 bolt in the rear at the same time if you have an HO52. That would let you run a limited slip. It would be awesome with TrueTracs in both ends I have some of these parts if you are still considering this when you move to my part of the world.
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44 Willys MB 52 M38A1 64 Corvette Coupe 68 Camaro 'vert LT1 & TH700 69 Z/28 355 12.6's @110 69 Chevy Short Step 4 1/2"/7" drop 72 Jimmy 4WD 4spd 4" & 35's 02 GMC 2500HD 4x4 Duramax |
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