Can I use 86 4x4 suspension on my 68 2wd - The 1947 - Present Chevrolet & GMC Truck Message Board Network

jimmywicked · 04-08-2009, 12:47 AM

Can anyone help with this question? I have a 68 2wd long bed and after doing some quick measurements on the frame widths it looks like the entire suspension assembly will work if I reweld new spring mounts any one out there do any thing like this???

Mudder · 04-08-2009, 11:27 AM

Yep it's been done. You will need a high hump to clear the TC. Steering will need to be used off of the 4x4 also. Do a lot of measuring then do some more.

dgfreeze · 04-08-2009, 10:41 PM

i have a 69 GMC lwb that was originally a 2wd. i stripped it down to the frame, and i mean the frame. i then installed the entire drivetrain off of an 81 K20. engine, tranny, transfer case, front axle and springs, rear axle and springs. i had to fabricate EVERY mount except the rear spring mount for the rear axle. this included the engine, tranny/transfer, both front spring mounts, the sway bar mount, and the front spring mount for the rear axle. it was a royal pain in the arse. not saying it wasn't worth it, but as mentioned above, you had better measure everything ten times, and write it all down. and keep posting on here. i would have saved myself a lot of headaches had i been a member at the time. but good luck

dgfreeze · 04-08-2009, 10:44 PM

oh, and i just noticed, welcome to the board. you will love it here. incredible amount of knowledge in here.

jimmywicked · 04-09-2009, 08:04 AM

Thank you for all your help I do appriciate it.

Mudder · 04-09-2009, 08:29 AM

Do a little reading here. You may just want to swap bodies.

jimmywicked · 04-09-2009, 04:18 PM

Thanks I was origanally going to swap bodies but the 73-87 has a kick up in the frame right under seat area and the 68 is flat. But if djfreeze is still reading, why couldn't you use the spring perches from donor vehicle.....it looks like if you knock the rivets out you should be able to remount on the 68 frame..once stripped of suspension of course and again just wondering I'm sure you have a better grasp on this than I do...I'll be out of town till after Easter so dont think I'm ignurnt if I dont reply till then.................

dgfreeze · 04-13-2009, 01:56 PM

well, i could be wrong, but according to my memory, i do believe there were differences in frame width and height that made 3 of the 4 spring perches not usable. if you would like, i will be more than happy to email you pics of all the mounts i made, so you can see what i did. also, i honestly don't know, there may be differences in your 68 frame to my 69 frame. doesn't seem likely, though. but, if you do want pics, just send a private message with ur email.

04-08-2009, 12:47 AM	#1
jimmywicked Registered User Join Date: Dec 2008 Location: Hunt Valley Md Posts: 11	Can I use 86 4x4 suspension on my 68 2wd Can anyone help with this question? I have a 68 2wd long bed and after doing some quick measurements on the frame widths it looks like the entire suspension assembly will work if I reweld new spring mounts any one out there do any thing like this???

04-08-2009, 11:27 AM	#2
Mudder Registered User Join Date: Feb 2001 Location: East Central, MO Posts: 11,336	Re: Can I use 86 4x4 suspension on my 68 2wd Yep it's been done. You will need a high hump to clear the TC. Steering will need to be used off of the 4x4 also. Do a lot of measuring then do some more.

04-08-2009, 10:41 PM	#3
dgfreeze i've created a monster Join Date: Jun 2005 Location: Plain City, Ohio Posts: 70	Re: Can I use 86 4x4 suspension on my 68 2wd i have a 69 GMC lwb that was originally a 2wd. i stripped it down to the frame, and i mean the frame. i then installed the entire drivetrain off of an 81 K20. engine, tranny, transfer case, front axle and springs, rear axle and springs. i had to fabricate EVERY mount except the rear spring mount for the rear axle. this included the engine, tranny/transfer, both front spring mounts, the sway bar mount, and the front spring mount for the rear axle. it was a royal pain in the arse. not saying it wasn't worth it, but as mentioned above, you had better measure everything ten times, and write it all down. and keep posting on here. i would have saved myself a lot of headaches had i been a member at the time. but good luck

04-08-2009, 10:44 PM	#4
dgfreeze i've created a monster Join Date: Jun 2005 Location: Plain City, Ohio Posts: 70	Re: Can I use 86 4x4 suspension on my 68 2wd oh, and i just noticed, welcome to the board. you will love it here. incredible amount of knowledge in here.

04-09-2009, 08:04 AM	#5
jimmywicked Registered User Join Date: Dec 2008 Location: Hunt Valley Md Posts: 11	Re: Can I use 86 4x4 suspension on my 68 2wd Thank you for all your help I do appriciate it.

04-09-2009, 08:29 AM	#6
Mudder Registered User Join Date: Feb 2001 Location: East Central, MO Posts: 11,336	Re: Can I use 86 4x4 suspension on my 68 2wd Do a little reading here. You may just want to swap bodies.

04-09-2009, 04:18 PM	#7
jimmywicked Registered User Join Date: Dec 2008 Location: Hunt Valley Md Posts: 11	Re: Can I use 86 4x4 suspension on my 68 2wd Thanks I was origanally going to swap bodies but the 73-87 has a kick up in the frame right under seat area and the 68 is flat. But if djfreeze is still reading, why couldn't you use the spring perches from donor vehicle.....it looks like if you knock the rivets out you should be able to remount on the 68 frame..once stripped of suspension of course and again just wondering I'm sure you have a better grasp on this than I do...I'll be out of town till after Easter so dont think I'm ignurnt if I dont reply till then.................

04-13-2009, 01:56 PM	#8
dgfreeze i've created a monster Join Date: Jun 2005 Location: Plain City, Ohio Posts: 70	Re: Can I use 86 4x4 suspension on my 68 2wd well, i could be wrong, but according to my memory, i do believe there were differences in frame width and height that made 3 of the 4 spring perches not usable. if you would like, i will be more than happy to email you pics of all the mounts i made, so you can see what i did. also, i honestly don't know, there may be differences in your 68 frame to my 69 frame. doesn't seem likely, though. but, if you do want pics, just send a private message with ur email.



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