Anyone convert a 4wd to 2wd

[Boones]

Well the nice long bed I was looking at sold while I was gone on vacation but I was talking to some of my street rod friends and they suggested finding a clean 4wd (if I want a blazer) and installing a front clip or a Mustang II front set up. WOuld the front factory suspenion bolt onto the factory 4wd frame? Anyone ever do a conversion..

[Grim Reaper]

The main differences between a 4wd and a 2wd is what crossmembers and spring mounts that were installed on the 73 up. I would think it was close to the same on the 69-72. Now a real 2wd blazer would have had the coil rear suspension is my understanding. That should still be a crossmember issue. If you don't mind leaf sprung rear then no biggie. Next issue is the rear spring mounts on the 73 up they were shorter then the 4x4. You MIGHT be able to use the spring hangers from a 73 up 2wd to get the rear down. Problem is the frame shape is different on those years. I would think the best doaner would be a short bed truck or a 2wd 73-77 blazer(frame change in 78 and they stopped making 2wd blazers in 82) if you can find one.

Front. Cut out the 4x4 cross member and the 2wd suspension should be a bolt on. roblem is your proably need to pull the engine for this. Your proably going to need to change to the clam shell motor mounts as well.

The front suspension from 73-87 truck will fit but you will need to drill a couple holes. I was about to do this swap on the 70 Burb I had to get disc front and 5lug. I had a 77 doaner front suspension (was actually out of a 2wd Blazer). I had been told it would work and I measured everything and it sure looked like it was going to work. The 73 up has a couple extra holes but the main holes that were important were in the same place as the 70.

[jef5150]

why go thru the hassle of ripping out the front end, the transfer case,etc,etc,...of the 4x4,,,then, having to modify it to accept a"FORD" front end?Even if you slap in a 2wd chevy front clip, i keep asking ,WHY???..just buy a 2wd!!!!!..just my personal opinion

[Boones]

jef, I used to think the same way when I lived on the West Coast but once I moved to the East Coast my perception changed alot. California car guys are luckier then they realized, lots of cars and trucks to chose from..

Once you get east of Texas there are very few 2wd blazers available. Those that are available are either way to expensive for what they are (because they are rare) or just pure junk.... It is almost impossible to find a clean decent standard cab short bed of any year. In this weeks local Autotrader, there was one 94 short bed (but a zillion miles), one 82 model but the wrong color and some rust and a 74 that is pure junk and has been butchered. that is it, all the rest are either 4wd or long beds and even then the pickings are small..

[jef5150]

ya, i grew up in pittsburgh.Pa...i remember all the "RUST BUCKETS",,Im always lookin at the price some of these guys pay for theyre trucks,then look at all the" body rot"..."OUCH"....

[raggedjim]

Mine's for sale. 1977 2wd Blazer $3,500 obo

Not perfect but could easily be slicked out.

Thanks, Roger