2wd GMC to 4wd Chevy

[jdb368]

My new project, I am starting with a 1/2 ton GMC lwb 2wd pick up. I am planning on making it into a 1969 1/2 ton lwb 4wd. I am planning on using the frame, rear leaf springs and the factory 12bolt rear end. For the front I am going to use the complete front 4wd set up. The GMC body is in rough shape, I have a Chevy cab that is factory AC and enough odds and ends to make a rust free truck.

Here is the GMC





I got the old body off






set the cab aside, might use it one day.

[72chevyfleet]

nice keep us posted with pics

[jdb368]

Thanks, Im going to try to keep post as current as possible.

A last look at the 6 banger





The guy in the fork truck is my friend Bobby

Im using a 87 Chevy 1/2 ton 4wd set up on the front





All loaded up and headed for my garage

[jdb368]

Got the front 4wd parts bolted in



Rough cut out for the front leaf spring perch, Im going to clean up the hole later.

[jdb368]

sand blasting the frame.

[jdb368]

After sand blasting, sprayed with acid to convert any rust left and prep for paint



New Paint!!



1/4 inch plates to cover up holes in frame and add straingth to the spring mount




other side, done



87' Front spring mounts, radiator support mount and brace


I am planing on upgradeing all hard the 3/8 hardware and painting mounts

[onlyifihadachevy]

did you check the gear ratios in the axles?

[bigblazerboy]

nice looking build. i will be watchin since its a gmc

[jdb368]

I havent pulled the axel covers yet, Im not verry farmiler with the gear set ups expecialy in a 4wd. My friend owns an auto shop and is going to set them up for me. I think they are different right now, so I am going to have to buy one set anyways. I was thinking about useing 4-10 gears, Is this too low?

thanks guys, Ive got some more pictures to post later.

[onlyifihadachevy]

its shouldn't be to low because a lot of trucks run those gears. 4.10s is the highest gear you can get in the stock rear end but i maybe wrong since i dont know 1/2s well. 3.73 might not have enough torque and 456 may have too much depends on the trans and t case gears.

[onlyifihadachevy]

Originally Posted by onlyifihadachevy

its shouldn't be to low because a lot of trucks run those gears. 4.10s is the highest gear you can get in the stock rear end but i maybe wrong since i dont know 1/2s well. 3.73 might not have enough torque and 456 may have too much depends on the trans and t case gears.

And by the stock rear end i meant from the factory but im not sure, but its the highest that i heard of. Straight from the factory gears.

[jdb368]

The 87 engine mounts dont fit exactly, they are about an inch too tall to fit between the fraim rails, so I cut them to fit then welded a the mounting tab back on the top.


I have taken them out and welded the backs and sides as well



My new lift kit came in today. It is a 4 inch Rough Country lift with rear springs. Hopefully I can get it it installed pretty soon

[jdb368]

I forgot to mention, I am 15 years old and my dad is helping me build this truck. am hopeing to get this truck running in time for me to get my licenses. The progress is a little slow because I usually have a lot of home work and I don't get much time to work on my truck

[amullis]

I like this build. I hope that you can get it ready by your 16th. Looking forward to some more updates.

[jdb368]

over the weekend I got the front and rear springs put on

Rear:


Front: I also repainted the front end of the frame, because it got scrached up with the motor mockup, springs and sway bar.

I still need to paint the back spring shackles

[jdb368]

I designed a new cross member to replace the traling arms/ drive shaft hoop cross member. It is supposed to look like a factory one. I had some 1/8" steel bent into the U shape, and two of each of the smaller plates.



I then cut the main secton at a 45* to atach the small angled plate


I did the same to the other side and welded them up





This is the cross member it is supposed to look like

The bottom braces were too short to fit so I am makeig some new ones I should get them on soon

Also, I found some hardware that looks like the factory rivets

[jdb368]

I got my cab home 2 days ago, I just havent been on the computer for a wile.

The cab Im useing



Its home!

[70rs/ss]

Looking sweet, I plan to convert my 72 2wd Burb to a 4X4 about the same way you did it, by the way I love that ramp truck! Super sweet and great progress so far, you and your dad have done excellent work on it! Can't wait for more picts!!

[GruntMoanCough]

Good job, keep it up!
BTW, I too, dig the tow vehicle. Very cool.

[onlyifihadachevy]

nice, good job. i might be getting a 69 shortbed 4wd for 800 soon.

[Big J'72 GMC]

As many others have already said, love that tow rig, projects looks cool too bud, good luck

[jdb368]

Thanks, I love the old ramp truck too! It belongs to my friend, well he is more like my adopted granddad, Bobby. He is the one that gave me the truck and old parts. its a 1969-70 dually. Here is a good picture of it.

[jdb368]

I got the cab in the gradge, I took out the gas tank, A/C, gages, glove box, wireing, windshield, and every thing elis.



we drilled holes to mount the high hump trans tunnle.



cut out the floor

[silver7]

Looks great. I'll be following your work since I'm working on converting a 71 c10 swb to 4x4 now too. Good luck.

[jdb368]

It has been awhile since the last post. My camera stopped working so I have been taking the new progress pictures with my phone. Yesterday i finally figured out how to get them onto my computer.

I have decided to use a 6.0L engine out of a 2005 Chevy truck. I already have a transfer case and Th so I bought a custom flex plate to connect the new engine and old transmission.
I can't find the pictures of what the engine used to look like when I got it.
It had factory manifolds on it and no coil covers. The headers are for a 2002 Camaro, they don't fit but since I cant use them for anything elis I'll make them fit. The coil covers are off of a GTO with a little trimming the now say C10, I will take a better picture of just them.



Since I have changed engines there are some clearance issues and also engine mount issues with the 85 4x4 x-member. It would have worked fine with the small block but doesn't work well with the genIII engine. I found a universal engine x-member kit that fits much better, and looks better too.