Convert Wrecker to 4X4???

[toomanytoyz]

Some of you may know about the 72 Wrecker i bought from Jamie72, Have been working toward getting it back together. Have found that it's need's new Cab, Some Frame Work, Motor, etc,etc,etc...........

Link to Wrecker Thread.......

http://67-72chevytrucks.com/vboard/s...d.php?t=221136

I came across a 76 3/4 Ton Chevy for $500.00 & am thinking about buying that to put under the Wrecker, The 76 has a 4" Lift on it & I have a set of 14x36 That i could put on.

Im thinking it would be Cool to have the Combo of the Wrecker & Snowplow, What is Your Opinion of Going in this Direction...............
or

Here is a Pic of the Wrecker, When Done it will have a 68 Doghouse.........



Here's a Pic of the Tire's I would Run....................




Here are some Pics of the 76 3/4 Ton with Plow....................

[special-K]

How do you find all the creampuffs?I think a K/30 wreck would be awesome.What ply-rating are those tires?Tall tires & wreckers aren`t the best combo.

[toomanytoyz]

Originally Posted by special-K

How do you find all the creampuffs?I think a K/30 wreck would be awesome.What ply-rating are those tires?Tall tires & wreckers are the best combo.

They are not to Hard to find in Indiana

As far as i can tell The Wheelbase is Same, I know i would have to fab up Body Mtg's & so forth. Either way i go it's gonna be a lot of work............

[special-K]

You`ll prolly find the pickup has a 56" cab to axle measurement and the wrecker has a 60" as found on cab`n`chassis models.

[lowrollin70gmc]

Do it. I love plow/wrecker combos. I used to drive a plow / wrecker / stakebed 1 ton Chevy. That truck was awesome, could do anything and nobody could bother you while you plowed.

[toomanytoyz]

Thanks for the Info, I thought that the One Ton Were 133" Wb & So were the 73-87. Did not measure for sure, Does anyone Know?

Also how much problem might it be to Have the Lift on for Towing? I think i will go ahead & buy the Truck at that Price anyhow, Even if i don't use for the Wrecker, Can always find a use for it...............

Thanks, Rick

[toomanytoyz]

Anyone notice the Rear Driveshaft in the Pic?

[1969k10stepside]

I see one,it looks like it extends and isnt solid

[toomanytoyz]

This is the 1st one i've seen where the slip joint is at the back, All i've ever seen the slip was at Transfer case. Is that because it's a 3/4 Ton?

[1969k10stepside]

I think it should be a solid drive shaft,originally they were I think

[manimal]

My '76 is the same way on the driveshaft. Every one I have seen is built this way.
-Lance

[CPNEJR]

i don't know if it would work but couldn't you just take the front axle and t-case and put that under the existing frame

[earl87gta]

Originally Posted by CPNEJR

i don't know if it would work but couldn't you just take the front axle and t-case and put that under the existing frame

Looks like the drive shaft is backward. To convert it you would have to use the cross member and the front spring hangers. the spring hangers are also the radiator core suprt mounts. The front springs on the 76 are longer than a 67 to 72 uses so you would have to posibly make new front mounts to center the axle. other then that the trans ,transfer case and 4x4 steering box is all thats needed.

[muddyole 69]

what is the plan for the dual vs single wheels ? Towing with a tall tire is not much fun much less safe.

[GREASEMONKEY72]

go for it, it will look so freakin sweet when its done

[special-K]

Just a note:Converting your wrecker to 4wd with that red truck will mean converting it from a 1t to a 3/4t.Is that what you want?

[arkracing]

I think it would be a cool truck -

but I agree going from 1t to 3/4t????

& to put that front end in the existing 2x4 chassis might be a PITA

[toomanytoyz]

If i do swap it would be complete Frame Swap, Either way i go it's still going to be lot's of Work. I think what i would be gaining with the Swap would offset losing the 1/4 ton, Just weighing out my option's as of now........

Thanks for the Input
Rick

[cableguy0]

those lift springs are not going to support towing a car or truck. the higher you go the more unstable it gets. its not fun sliding down the road with the front end bouncing around and the truck out of control. it will take way less weight to overload that 3/4 ton that it will the 1 ton.i have a 77 1 ton wrecker. the 1 ton frame and rear is beefier than the 3/4 ton stuff. to me its not worth doing the swap your going to lose a ton of ability on the towing side. you can pretty much forget towing anything but smaller cars if you downgrade to 3/4 ton stuff

[1969 GMC]

Originally Posted by cableguy0

the 1 ton frame and rear is beefier than the 3/4 ton stuff.

I agree on the frame, but otherwise the rearends are the same, 3/4 vs. 1 ton. Brakes might be bigger, but the rest of the axle is the exact same, only difference here being the Eaton under the wrecker vs. 14 bolt under the '76.

I say that unless you plan to open your own towing service with this truck, it will do fine for what you need with the 4x4 conversion. Maybe I am the only one who has seen 1/2 and 3/4 ton pickups with the little wrecker in the bed that folds down out of sight.

Also I am guessing the lift has blocks in therear. not ideal, but that doesnt diminish the weight carrying capacity...still got stock springs.

[cableguy0]

i have seen the 1/2 and 3/4 tons with the fold down sling that doesnt make them safe or stable just because people do it.the bigger brakes are probably the most important thing. its no fun gliding to a stop with a car on the back.im just looking at things from a safety point of view.the higher the truck sits to start with the higher in the air the nose will be when you load the truck. the 3/4 ton springs will make it sag even further. steering and stopping both become huge issues at that point.

[special-K]

If your towing VWs,it`s fine.Towing another full-size truck with a 1T wrecker is a strain as it is.I have one as a hobbyist and would prefer a medium duty for towing light duty trucks.That 1/4t is a big difference.The shorter shafts in the Eaton dual rear make for a stouter effect.Tall sidewalls,low ply-rating,lighter frame,blocks,all go against rules of thumb when towing.You don`t need to tow for a living ,tow often,or tow far to have a serious problem like an accident.
I`d suggest if anyone wants a 4wd wrecker to find a rusted-out Factory K/30 and switch cabs with a 67/72.That would be awesome.There`s plenty out there if that`s what you want.Easier,too.
With my detroit locker equipped C/30 hooked to something,not much can stop it.The weight is off the front wheels by a good ratio when loaded,so a front drive axle doesn`t help alot except for aiding steering in the slop.But,that`s what winches are for.

[toomanytoyz]

Lot's of Good Info here, That's what i Luv about this site. I have to let the Guy know tonight if i want the Truck or not, The main reason i had thought of the switch was more or less for the Dual purpose that i thought i may get with the Wrecker & Plow Combo............

I have decided that if i go ahead with it i would eliminate the Lift, Try using the dual rear Axle . Will probably buy the Truck either way, If not used for This Im sure somewhere down the Road i will find a use for it......

Anyhow, Thanks for all the Good Info.
Rick

[Olden Days]

Originally Posted by toomanytoyz

i would eliminate the Lift, Try using the dual rear Axle .
Rick

I agree with all the reasons stated on not to use single rear with lift. but also if looks matter to you, its good you decided to use the dual axle. I think people forget that dualls fill up the space on that wide wrecker bed. A single rear wheel would look funny with all that empty space hanging over them. I am also against using the front single wheel axle for same reason. It looks odd to me with mix and match axles. I would find a dual wheel front axle to put under there if 4x4 is what I wanted. I may be the oddball on that issue though since I have 3 duallys I lean a little more toward what looks right than most guys maybe. just my .02

[72LoBurb]

I would not downgrade on weight rating, even if this is only a hobby truck. The duals will provide much more stability for the rear, when towing, as well.

If you do want to convert to 4x4, I would also go with the idea of finding a newer(73-87) 1 ton 4x4 even if it is a single wheel one ton(only difference is wheels and the adapters for the front wheels) and mount your body to that chassis.

After over 17 years in the towing biz, alot of the points raised in the above posts are VERY valid safety concerns. You can always buy that 3/4 ton for the plow, 'cause if that is operational, it's worth the $500 on it's own.