Swapping from 2wd to 4wd? Involved? - The 1947 - Present Chevrolet & GMC Truck Message Board Network

*1LOW4X4* · 01-24-2011, 01:18 PM

Guys I've got an 85 silverado, 3/4 ton 350/400/4.10's. Camper special. Pictures in my sig.

What all is involved in making this thing 4x4? Are we talking just a solid axle swap and transfer case, or are we talking frame swap?

I'd love this thing to be 4x4!
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*1LOW4X4* · 01-24-2011, 03:00 PM

Anybody?
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lsp1369 · 01-24-2011, 03:08 PM

my opinion.. you'd be better off finding a 4x4, with the cost and amount of work its going to take to convert to a 4x4, you could have found a 4x4. if there is a sentimental attachment to the 2wd you have you could always find a junkyard 4x4 and put the body from yours on it..

maynardtruckin · 01-24-2011, 03:15 PM

if you can get the frame do that swap other wise do the axel and springs, engin cradle, transfer case and the transmission output shaft swap. I have done both and the frame swap is easer but both can be done.

*1LOW4X4* · 01-24-2011, 03:40 PM

Hmm, so frame swap is easier. No way I'm losing my cab, that thing is immaculate. Would be nice to find a short bed 4x4 frame though and swap my cab on, then find a short bed for it!
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Shaun1162 · 01-24-2011, 04:46 PM

I've never done anything in the way of a 4x4 swap... But my personal opinion is that you should just leave your C20 the way it is. Judging by the pictures in your signature and in the other thread you posted, it looks like a truly unmolested example, and it'd be kind of a shame (IMO) to go about swapping things around.

**N2TRUX** · 01-24-2011, 07:51 PM

You don't "need" a frame to do the swap. It would be nice to have a complete donor truck or rolling chassis, but you can piece it together. Your 2wd frame will work just fine.

Blue Chevy 1987 · 01-24-2011, 07:55 PM

i did the 4x4 conversion to my truck. its not all that hard to do. i have a build thread on another site. pm me for the link. iono if someone will get mad if i put link on here. what are future plans with the truck? big tires? mud truck?

68 SWB · 01-24-2011, 08:18 PM

This is funny because I have an 82 3/4 ton 4x4 LWB that has no drive train or axles that I am trying to figure out what to do with it. It was a halfway clean truck before it got gutted. If I could find cheap axles for it I would bring it back to life.

*1LOW4X4* · 01-24-2011, 10:55 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Shaun1162

I've never done anything in the way of a 4x4 swap... But my personal opinion is that you should just leave your C20 the way it is. Judging by the pictures in your signature and in the other thread you posted, it looks like a truly unmolested example, and it'd be kind of a shame (IMO) to go about swapping things around.

It's almost new, minus the faded paint. I agree, it would be nice to stay original, but at the same time I dont run a museum. Lol.
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*1LOW4X4* · 01-26-2011, 01:20 AM

The more I think about it the more I think I'll just leave it as is.

It was made for a purpose and thats hauling and towing heavy stuff such at the camper it had. I dont even think I'll change the wheels. I'm going to get my painter to repaint the white wheels professionally, (If I can find the right paint) and get me some new tires, and might even have him paint the truck and go back with new chrome molding and re-use most of the aluminum stuff.

01-24-2011, 01:18 PM	#1
1LOW4X4 Account Suspended Join Date: Jul 2010 Location: Southeast Texas Posts: 189	Swapping from 2wd to 4wd? Involved? Guys I've got an 85 silverado, 3/4 ton 350/400/4.10's. Camper special. Pictures in my sig. What all is involved in making this thing 4x4? Are we talking just a solid axle swap and transfer case, or are we talking frame swap? I'd love this thing to be 4x4! Posted via Mobile Device Last edited by 1LOW4X4; 01-24-2011 at 01:19 PM.

01-24-2011, 03:00 PM	#2
1LOW4X4 Account Suspended Join Date: Jul 2010 Location: Southeast Texas Posts: 189	Re: Swapping from 2wd to 4wd? Involved? Anybody? Posted via Mobile Device

01-24-2011, 03:08 PM	#3
lsp1369 Registered User Join Date: Oct 2010 Location: yucaipa,ca Posts: 41	Re: Swapping from 2wd to 4wd? Involved? my opinion.. you'd be better off finding a 4x4, with the cost and amount of work its going to take to convert to a 4x4, you could have found a 4x4. if there is a sentimental attachment to the 2wd you have you could always find a junkyard 4x4 and put the body from yours on it..

01-24-2011, 03:15 PM	#4
maynardtruckin Registered User Join Date: Jan 2011 Location: Falcon \ Colorado Posts: 193	Re: Swapping from 2wd to 4wd? Involved? if you can get the frame do that swap other wise do the axel and springs, engin cradle, transfer case and the transmission output shaft swap. I have done both and the frame swap is easer but both can be done. __________________ Chris 67 c10 swb build in progress 70 c10 lwb driver pending parts for drastic overhaul 70 c20 lwb parts truck for above mentioned drastic overhaul 71 k20 lwb building for off road use and towing

01-24-2011, 03:40 PM	#5
1LOW4X4 Account Suspended Join Date: Jul 2010 Location: Southeast Texas Posts: 189	Re: Swapping from 2wd to 4wd? Involved? Hmm, so frame swap is easier. No way I'm losing my cab, that thing is immaculate. Would be nice to find a short bed 4x4 frame though and swap my cab on, then find a short bed for it! Posted via Mobile Device

01-24-2011, 04:46 PM	#6
Shaun1162 Registered User Join Date: Aug 2010 Location: NH Posts: 368	Re: Swapping from 2wd to 4wd? Involved? I've never done anything in the way of a 4x4 swap... But my personal opinion is that you should just leave your C20 the way it is. Judging by the pictures in your signature and in the other thread you posted, it looks like a truly unmolested example, and it'd be kind of a shame (IMO) to go about swapping things around.

01-24-2011, 07:51 PM	#7
N2TRUX Happy to be here Join Date: Mar 2000 Location: Cypress, TX Posts: 39,023	Re: Swapping from 2wd to 4wd? Involved? You don't "need" a frame to do the swap. It would be nice to have a complete donor truck or rolling chassis, but you can piece it together. Your 2wd frame will work just fine. __________________ Follow me on Facebook and Instagram @N2trux.com Articles- "Jake" the 84 to 74 crewcab "Elwood" the77_Remix 85 GMC Sierra "Scarlett" "Refining Sierra"

01-24-2011, 07:55 PM	#8
Blue Chevy 1987 Registered User Join Date: Aug 2010 Location: Virginia Beach, VA Posts: 64	Re: Swapping from 2wd to 4wd? Involved? i did the 4x4 conversion to my truck. its not all that hard to do. i have a build thread on another site. pm me for the link. iono if someone will get mad if i put link on here. what are future plans with the truck? big tires? mud truck?

01-24-2011, 08:18 PM	#9
68 SWB Registered User Join Date: Mar 2007 Location: Meridian, ID Posts: 133	Re: Swapping from 2wd to 4wd? Involved? This is funny because I have an 82 3/4 ton 4x4 LWB that has no drive train or axles that I am trying to figure out what to do with it. It was a halfway clean truck before it got gutted. If I could find cheap axles for it I would bring it back to life.

01-26-2011, 01:20 AM	#11
1LOW4X4 Account Suspended Join Date: Jul 2010 Location: Southeast Texas Posts: 189	Re: Swapping from 2wd to 4wd? Involved? The more I think about it the more I think I'll just leave it as is. It was made for a purpose and thats hauling and towing heavy stuff such at the camper it had. I dont even think I'll change the wheels. I'm going to get my painter to repaint the white wheels professionally, (If I can find the right paint) and get me some new tires, and might even have him paint the truck and go back with new chrome molding and re-use most of the aluminum stuff.



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