2wd swap to 4x4 - The 1947 - Present Chevrolet & GMC Truck Message Board Network

prg machine · 10-17-2008, 10:16 PM

I have a 69 K-20 with a compromised frame..................I can get a 72 GMC 3/4 2wd frame. I understand that all I have to do is mount the spring hangers to the front of the 2wd frame and change the front crossmember perhaps and it's a swap for my K-20????

Is there more to it than that?

ZZ4Blazer · 10-18-2008, 03:20 AM

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prg machine · 10-18-2008, 10:16 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by ZZ4Blazer

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ZZ4Blazer · 10-18-2008, 12:54 PM

I was subscribing to the thread so I get emails about it. I am curious to also know what the differences in the 2wd and 4wd frames are.

CPNEJR · 10-19-2008, 09:45 PM

it's not too hard to do, i did it. I'm assuming that the 2wd frame is already a leaf spring rear. if it is than your a step ahead. for the most part it is just a matter of swapping out the front core support mounts and putting in the 4wd and measuring and drilling through the frame for a rear mount. the main thing is to take only one side off the 4wd and taking a lot of pictures and measurements to make sure everything is where it is supposed to be.

i'm sure i'm missing some stuff but someone else should chime in and help out

prg machine · 10-19-2008, 11:24 PM

Does the 4x4 frame have a different front crossmember forward of the front axle than the 2wd frame??????

So, if I got it all, with the leaf rear 2wd GMC frame,the rear suspension bolts up same 2wd or 4x4?

and for the front suspension, I pop out the rivets and bolt the 4x4 stuff to the 2wd frame in the right place based on measurements from the original 4x4 frame.

seems do-able...................with time and a lot of work.

I will do it.

CPNEJR · 10-20-2008, 04:34 PM

the rear axle on the 4wd will not bolt up to the 2wd and vic-versa. the perches on the 2wd axle is wider but the spring should be the same, as long as they are the same lenght.

are you talking about the crossmember that is the furthest forward? if so then yes they are all the same no matter what.

i hope i answered a few of your questions

prg machine · 10-22-2008, 11:51 AM

and would a 1/2 ton 2wd frame accept the springs on the rear from the 4x4 K-20???

CPNEJR · 10-23-2008, 09:29 AM

the k20 springs are longer so you would have to drill holes in the frame to do it.

10-17-2008, 10:16 PM	#1
prg machine Registered User Join Date: Jun 2007 Location: oregon Posts: 1,069	2wd swap to 4x4 I have a 69 K-20 with a compromised frame..................I can get a 72 GMC 3/4 2wd frame. I understand that all I have to do is mount the spring hangers to the front of the 2wd frame and change the front crossmember perhaps and it's a swap for my K-20???? Is there more to it than that? __________________ 69 K-20 cloned to a 67 with front clip and some other stuff. 383 .040 over Crane roller cam lifters and rockers ,1.6 intake ratio, Open chamber heads, 9.5-1 compression ratio, 2.02 intake valves , Edelbrock performer Air Gap manifold Carter AFB performer 750cfm, MSD ignition, SM465 NP205 4.10 gears:

10-18-2008, 03:20 AM	#2
ZZ4Blazer Registered User Join Date: Aug 2004 Location: Akron, OH Posts: 95	Re: 2wd swap to 4x4 Subscribing

10-18-2008, 12:54 PM	#4
ZZ4Blazer Registered User Join Date: Aug 2004 Location: Akron, OH Posts: 95	Re: 2wd swap to 4x4 I was subscribing to the thread so I get emails about it. I am curious to also know what the differences in the 2wd and 4wd frames are.

10-19-2008, 09:45 PM	#5
CPNEJR Registered User Join Date: Sep 2003 Location: Franconia,N.H. Posts: 1,029	Re: 2wd swap to 4x4 it's not too hard to do, i did it. I'm assuming that the 2wd frame is already a leaf spring rear. if it is than your a step ahead. for the most part it is just a matter of swapping out the front core support mounts and putting in the 4wd and measuring and drilling through the frame for a rear mount. the main thing is to take only one side off the 4wd and taking a lot of pictures and measurements to make sure everything is where it is supposed to be. i'm sure i'm missing some stuff but someone else should chime in and help out __________________ (Only) Member of the CPNE Fan Club Aint that the truth 67 C-10 350 with 3-speed tranny and 308 gears swb step 82 Z28 Camaro 355 small block over 350 hp and a borg warner super t-10 (blown engine) 72 Chevy K20 Suburban (future project) 70 Chevy K20 now 68 GMC K2500 2003 Chevy 2500hd ccsb 4X4 (daily driver)

10-19-2008, 11:24 PM	#6
prg machine Registered User Join Date: Jun 2007 Location: oregon Posts: 1,069	Re: 2wd swap to 4x4 Does the 4x4 frame have a different front crossmember forward of the front axle than the 2wd frame?????? So, if I got it all, with the leaf rear 2wd GMC frame,the rear suspension bolts up same 2wd or 4x4? and for the front suspension, I pop out the rivets and bolt the 4x4 stuff to the 2wd frame in the right place based on measurements from the original 4x4 frame. seems do-able...................with time and a lot of work. I will do it. __________________ 69 K-20 cloned to a 67 with front clip and some other stuff. 383 .040 over Crane roller cam lifters and rockers ,1.6 intake ratio, Open chamber heads, 9.5-1 compression ratio, 2.02 intake valves , Edelbrock performer Air Gap manifold Carter AFB performer 750cfm, MSD ignition, SM465 NP205 4.10 gears:

10-20-2008, 04:34 PM	#7
CPNEJR Registered User Join Date: Sep 2003 Location: Franconia,N.H. Posts: 1,029	Re: 2wd swap to 4x4 the rear axle on the 4wd will not bolt up to the 2wd and vic-versa. the perches on the 2wd axle is wider but the spring should be the same, as long as they are the same lenght. are you talking about the crossmember that is the furthest forward? if so then yes they are all the same no matter what. i hope i answered a few of your questions __________________ (Only) Member of the CPNE Fan Club Aint that the truth 67 C-10 350 with 3-speed tranny and 308 gears swb step 82 Z28 Camaro 355 small block over 350 hp and a borg warner super t-10 (blown engine) 72 Chevy K20 Suburban (future project) 70 Chevy K20 now 68 GMC K2500 2003 Chevy 2500hd ccsb 4X4 (daily driver)

10-22-2008, 11:51 AM	#8
prg machine Registered User Join Date: Jun 2007 Location: oregon Posts: 1,069	Re: 2wd swap to 4x4 and would a 1/2 ton 2wd frame accept the springs on the rear from the 4x4 K-20??? __________________ 69 K-20 cloned to a 67 with front clip and some other stuff. 383 .040 over Crane roller cam lifters and rockers ,1.6 intake ratio, Open chamber heads, 9.5-1 compression ratio, 2.02 intake valves , Edelbrock performer Air Gap manifold Carter AFB performer 750cfm, MSD ignition, SM465 NP205 4.10 gears:

10-23-2008, 09:29 AM	#9
CPNEJR Registered User Join Date: Sep 2003 Location: Franconia,N.H. Posts: 1,029	Re: 2wd swap to 4x4 the k20 springs are longer so you would have to drill holes in the frame to do it. __________________ (Only) Member of the CPNE Fan Club Aint that the truth 67 C-10 350 with 3-speed tranny and 308 gears swb step 82 Z28 Camaro 355 small block over 350 hp and a borg warner super t-10 (blown engine) 72 Chevy K20 Suburban (future project) 70 Chevy K20 now 68 GMC K2500 2003 Chevy 2500hd ccsb 4X4 (daily driver)



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