Converting 4x4 to 2x4......I know..here we go again - The 1947 - Present Chevrolet & GMC Truck Message Board Network

72freak · 06-23-2009, 09:14 PM

Ive done some searching but need some more info. Any links to good threads on this subject would be great or any info would be appreciated.

We are thinking about converting my (rough) 72 4x4 Blazer to a 2x4. I would like to do it correctly with trailing arms if possible.

I have a 70 model 2x4 short bed truck I can use for the frame and suspension.
I also have a 72 long bed I can use (disks and 5 lug) as a donor suspension also if it can be used.

What do you do about the trailing arms...are they shorter on a 2x4 Blazer than a truck? If you cut the frame...where do you cut it and do you need to shorten the trailing arms or do you move them forward? Can you cut a LONG bed down and make it work?

Any help would be appreciated.

71swb4x4 · 06-23-2009, 09:24 PM

Trailing arms on all these trucks are the same length, Blazer, short bed pickup, long bed and suburban.
I know very little about cutting a truck frame down to fit a Blazer. I can tell you that body mounts will have to be completely fabricated, as the shape and height of the truck frame will differ from the Blazer frame. There is a great picture of the two frames floating around here somewhere, hopefully someone will post it up.

72freak · 06-23-2009, 09:34 PM

Thanks...the trailing arm info is a big help!

bouncytruck · 06-23-2009, 10:47 PM

Here's an article from Sport Truck a while back.

http://www.sporttruck.com/techarticl...ion/index.html

72freak · 06-24-2009, 08:07 PM

any more help or links?

Frizzle Fry · 06-25-2009, 12:46 AM

I would suggest using the 4x4 Blazer frame and adding the 2wd front crosmember to that. This will give you extra drop right from the start due to the higher kick-ups on the 4x4 frame. I believe you can run the trailing arms on the 4x4 frame by properly locating the TA xmember and fabing up upper spring or bag mounts. Gringoloco has experience with this.

sson20s · 06-25-2009, 01:08 PM

good info

AKoldstyle · 06-25-2009, 02:16 PM

I used a 4 wheel frame and added 2wd front crossmember, it gives you a 1inch suspenion lowering by moving the crosmember up.The 4wd frame profile is also straight in the rear and lets you run more rear tire. Just use the crossmember 4 the trailing arms and get the wheel base right which is 104 inches. Take alook at my thread prostreet/dragrace blazer and you can see the work involved. let me know if I can help,and best of luck

06-23-2009, 09:14 PM	#1
72freak Rottenwood Garage Member Join Date: May 2005 Location: Marietta, Georgia Posts: 4,321	Converting 4x4 to 2x4......I know..here we go again Ive done some searching but need some more info. Any links to good threads on this subject would be great or any info would be appreciated. We are thinking about converting my (rough) 72 4x4 Blazer to a 2x4. I would like to do it correctly with trailing arms if possible. I have a 70 model 2x4 short bed truck I can use for the frame and suspension. I also have a 72 long bed I can use (disks and 5 lug) as a donor suspension also if it can be used. What do you do about the trailing arms...are they shorter on a 2x4 Blazer than a truck? If you cut the frame...where do you cut it and do you need to shorten the trailing arms or do you move them forward? Can you cut a LONG bed down and make it work? Any help would be appreciated. __________________ 2004 Chevrolet Suburban C1500 2001 Chevrolet 2500HD Crew 6.0 1999 Harley Davidson Electra Glide 1972 Chevrolet C-20 Custom Camper "Dump Truck" 1972 Chevrolet C-20 Suburban "Big Green" 1969 Chevrolet C-50 Wedge Hauler "Leonidis" 1966 C-10 2x4 short fleet 327 4 speed "Race Truck" 1952 Plymouth Cranbrook "Rican" (my grandfathers) 1931 Ford Model A Coupe "Black Beauty" 1930 Ford Model A truck "Club Cab" 4x4 Rottenwood Garage and Speed Shop.....where everything must be racy! *It's not just a hobby..It's a LIFESTYLE!!!* Thanks for nothing Barrett-Jackson You cant fix stupid or teach accountability! Time wasters, looky Lous and tire kickers are everywhere!

06-23-2009, 09:24 PM	#2
71swb4x4 Senior Member Join Date: Nov 2003 Location: Brookings, SD Posts: 10,497	Re: Converting 4x4 to 2x4......I know..here we go again Trailing arms on all these trucks are the same length, Blazer, short bed pickup, long bed and suburban. I know very little about cutting a truck frame down to fit a Blazer. I can tell you that body mounts will have to be completely fabricated, as the shape and height of the truck frame will differ from the Blazer frame. There is a great picture of the two frames floating around here somewhere, hopefully someone will post it up. __________________ Some people are like slinkies, they aren't good for anything, but you can't help but smile when you see one tumble down the stairs.

06-23-2009, 09:34 PM	#3
72freak Rottenwood Garage Member Join Date: May 2005 Location: Marietta, Georgia Posts: 4,321	Re: Converting 4x4 to 2x4......I know..here we go again Thanks...the trailing arm info is a big help! __________________ 2004 Chevrolet Suburban C1500 2001 Chevrolet 2500HD Crew 6.0 1999 Harley Davidson Electra Glide 1972 Chevrolet C-20 Custom Camper "Dump Truck" 1972 Chevrolet C-20 Suburban "Big Green" 1969 Chevrolet C-50 Wedge Hauler "Leonidis" 1966 C-10 2x4 short fleet 327 4 speed "Race Truck" 1952 Plymouth Cranbrook "Rican" (my grandfathers) 1931 Ford Model A Coupe "Black Beauty" 1930 Ford Model A truck "Club Cab" 4x4 Rottenwood Garage and Speed Shop.....where everything must be racy! *It's not just a hobby..It's a LIFESTYLE!!!* Thanks for nothing Barrett-Jackson You cant fix stupid or teach accountability! Time wasters, looky Lous and tire kickers are everywhere!

06-23-2009, 10:47 PM	#4
bouncytruck SKINNY TIRES RULE! Join Date: Sep 2001 Location: Bothell, WA Posts: 11,049	Re: Converting 4x4 to 2x4......I know..here we go again Here's an article from Sport Truck a while back. http://www.sporttruck.com/techarticl...ion/index.html __________________ bouncytruck 1972 K5 The Hauler 1994 K1500 Suburban The Daily2010 Kia Soul Wife's Ride2014 Fiat 500L

06-24-2009, 08:07 PM	#5
72freak Rottenwood Garage Member Join Date: May 2005 Location: Marietta, Georgia Posts: 4,321	Re: Converting 4x4 to 2x4......I know..here we go again any more help or links? __________________ 2004 Chevrolet Suburban C1500 2001 Chevrolet 2500HD Crew 6.0 1999 Harley Davidson Electra Glide 1972 Chevrolet C-20 Custom Camper "Dump Truck" 1972 Chevrolet C-20 Suburban "Big Green" 1969 Chevrolet C-50 Wedge Hauler "Leonidis" 1966 C-10 2x4 short fleet 327 4 speed "Race Truck" 1952 Plymouth Cranbrook "Rican" (my grandfathers) 1931 Ford Model A Coupe "Black Beauty" 1930 Ford Model A truck "Club Cab" 4x4 Rottenwood Garage and Speed Shop.....where everything must be racy! *It's not just a hobby..It's a LIFESTYLE!!!* Thanks for nothing Barrett-Jackson You cant fix stupid or teach accountability! Time wasters, looky Lous and tire kickers are everywhere!

06-25-2009, 12:46 AM	#6
Frizzle Fry Registered User Join Date: Aug 2005 Location: Hillsboro Oregon Posts: 6,449	Re: Converting 4x4 to 2x4......I know..here we go again I would suggest using the 4x4 Blazer frame and adding the 2wd front crosmember to that. This will give you extra drop right from the start due to the higher kick-ups on the 4x4 frame. I believe you can run the trailing arms on the 4x4 frame by properly locating the TA xmember and fabing up upper spring or bag mounts. Gringoloco has experience with this.

06-25-2009, 01:08 PM	#7
sson20s Registered User Join Date: Aug 2008 Location: el mirage,arizona Posts: 284	Re: Converting 4x4 to 2x4......I know..here we go again good info __________________ 2 many ,want to finish 1

06-25-2009, 02:16 PM	#8
AKoldstyle Registered User Join Date: Jun 2008 Location: anchorage, ALASKA Posts: 111	Re: Converting 4x4 to 2x4......I know..here we go again I used a 4 wheel frame and added 2wd front crossmember, it gives you a 1inch suspenion lowering by moving the crosmember up.The 4wd frame profile is also straight in the rear and lets you run more rear tire. Just use the crossmember 4 the trailing arms and get the wheel base right which is 104 inches. Take alook at my thread prostreet/dragrace blazer and you can see the work involved. let me know if I can help,and best of luck



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