4x4 swap

[Mister laugh]

I have been searching through the forums for info on a 4x4 swap, all of the threads i have come across more or less tell me to search except for a few that are very vague. What i want to know is can i swap the whole front x member from a 73 to 87? and then hang springs? I have a very very rusty 82 k-10 that i may use for parts to convert my 70 c10 with a high hump cab and straight six. Maybe even swap in the diesel at the same time although this would be less straight forward.

[LONGHAIR]

It's not as easy as the crossmember swap on a 2 wheel drive truck, where you are swapping in the later model's disc brakes. The crossmember on a 4x4 is really not much more than a cradle for the engine mounts, it has nothing to do with mounting the suspension. You will probably have to do some fabricating, but it's not that bad. The rough part is cutting out all of the rivets from the '82 frame. You are going to have to steal the spring mounts from the front of the frame and the shackle mounts too. The biggest obsticle is usually the transmission/transfer case. You need a transmission from a 4x4 and the transfer case to match. You will probably have to have driveshafts made to fit after everything is mounted. Steering is the next issue, somewhat depending upon how high you intend the truck to sit. Cross-over steering will allow you to keep the two wheel drive steering box, but since you have a complete truck, it might be just as easy to swap the 4x4 stuff into the older truck.
Over-all, it might be easier to swap your cab onto the 4x4 frame.

[msgross]

I would suggest these parts from DIY 4x4..

http://www.diy4x.com/suspension.htm

FGB52 - has front spring and radiator support mounts, shackles and shackles mounts. Just unbolt the 82's springs and roll the entire axle under this setup... $270

First Generation Engine crossmember
1969-1972 full size Chevy/GMC - $205 (if you're going V8...

Just need to find a tranny mount (will the 82 work?), steering box (82) and a way to mount shocks on the frame if the 2WD mounts dont work..

good luck and post pics...

[FormerMember]

Originally Posted by msgross

I would suggest these parts from DIY 4x4..

http://www.diy4x.com/suspension.htm

FGB52 - has front spring and radiator support mounts, shackles and shackles mounts. Just unbolt the 82's springs and roll the entire axle under this setup... $270

First Generation Engine crossmember
1969-1972 full size Chevy/GMC - $205 (if you're going V8...

Just need to find a tranny mount (will the 82 work?), steering box (82) and a way to mount shocks on the frame if the 2WD mounts dont work..

good luck and post pics...

You can see pics of those parts installed in the C to K conversion I did.

(I feel like a grandfather now)

Edit to add... any of the transmission cross members will from the "square bodies" will line up, so pull the trans and t-case with the cross member and drill some holes. Let me know if you need one, I have 10 or so of them.

[Mister laugh]

Thanks for all the info. Now all i need to do is decide if i want to do it.

[skchevota]

Originally Posted by Mister laugh

Thanks for all the info. Now all i need to do is decide if i want to do it.

If you build it, it will wheel!!!!

[Mister laugh]

The more i think about it the more i want to find something with no engine/tranny and swap it over the body on the 82' is shot there isn't a good panel on it but the drivetrain in relatively new.

[low900rr]

Originally Posted by Mister laugh

The more i think about it the more i want to find something with no engine/tranny and swap it over the body on the 82' is shot there isn't a good panel on it but the drivetrain in relatively new.

Im gonna do a 69 2wd to 4wd conversion too using the parts from diy4x. Check out grendels builds......good reading and alot of pics.