Solid axle swap on 97 swb - The 1947 - Present Chevrolet & GMC Truck Message Board Network

Alderson95 · 02-02-2011, 01:20 PM

I have a 97 swb step side 1500 chevy. The truck is 2wd it has the vortec 350 and 4l60e trans. I have a 79 k5 blazer that was wreked and sits in my back yard. The blazer has the dana 44 axles. Now iv dun the solid axle swap before on the 2500 & 3500. I am just un shure where to hang the hangers on the rear up front on the truck. If any one has any thing it would help first time iv done this by my self thanks.
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jbclassix · 02-02-2011, 04:55 PM

A GREAT place to start

http://www.offroadunlimited.com/orus...?idCategory=18

My built 96 (R.I.P)

A GREAT place to start

http://www.offroadunlimited.com/orus...?idCategory=18

Alderson95 · 02-02-2011, 05:47 PM

Wow great truck man i love it thanks for the site's and if you don't mind my asking was your swap easy and what was you total coast.
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jbclassix · 02-02-2011, 05:56 PM

SUPER easy. I only drilled the holes in the frame. My wife (fiance at the time) did all the work. I had a cast on!

These are estimates of what I spent
ORU kit 800
front springs 4" 250
rear springs 8" 800
steering kit 400
front axle built 600
wheels and tires 1200
driveshafts 300

There are cheaper ways to go obviously.

DirtyLarry · 02-02-2011, 06:09 PM

Alderson95,

I know you mention that you have a D44 lying around but check this out. The ORU kit that works with a Ford D60 is on sale for $354! That is a heck of a deal....actually, what that kit SHOULD cost. A $1000 was way too much originally.

http://www.offroadunlimited.com/orus...dproduct=10754

Jbclassix,

I love that truck! The only thing I would do is ditch that electric shift tcase.

Alderson95 · 02-02-2011, 06:11 PM

i have don a solid axle swap before on this year of truck. i had olny dun it to the 3/4ton and they were all 4x4's. iv got a 95 2500 gmc with the swap and a duramax lb7 swap. and did you lose your truck or somthing.

DirtyLarry · 02-02-2011, 06:13 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Alderson95

iv got a 95 2500 gmc with the swap and a duramax lb7 swap.

We need pictures! We all love truck porn here.

Alderson95 · 02-02-2011, 06:13 PM

iv considerd the dana 60's only problem is every body want's one so it makes them hard to find. if i could get one i would.

jbclassix · 02-02-2011, 10:39 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Alderson95

i have don a solid axle swap before on this year of truck. i had olny dun it to the 3/4ton and they were all 4x4's. iv got a 95 2500 gmc with the swap and a duramax lb7 swap. and did you lose your truck or somthing.

Me lose my truck? Kinda... Lost my mind and sold it. I'm in the process of getting my mind back together with the burban build.

I agree with Larry! Truck pictures are a must! Especially if it has a D-max!

Alderson95 · 02-02-2011, 11:08 PM

Id post but i don't have the gold membership or somthing or for that matter a camra but i will ugrade my membership soon i hope and ill get a camra from my brother so ill ceep yall posted and sory about the truck i sold my 98 crew cab short bed 454 with 6in lift for 2200 so i know the feeling
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MTCK · 02-04-2011, 03:59 AM

I like the idea of the D60 front. You're going to have lug patterns that don't match already (6 in front, 5 in rear) so it might as well be 8 all the way around...

ghettoluxury · 02-04-2011, 09:50 AM

If you have the blazer already you have everything you need. Roll the front axle under the truck (with the leaf springs and front hanger attached and center the wheel in the fender well. Weld the front hangers from the front leaf springs to the frame. Then take the rear hangers and shackles from the rear of the blazer and bolt them to the oppisite front leaf spring, this will put the flat part that used to be on the outside of the frame on the inside of the frame so that it can be welded in place.

Now on the rear you may be able to roll the blazer axle under there with the springs and have them bolt right up to the hangers and shackles on the truck. If not you can blow both spring packs apart and add the extra blazer springs to the truck springs to get a level ride height. If this is done make sure you put new guide pins through the spring pack to keep them together.

ghettoluxury · 02-04-2011, 09:57 AM

[QUOTE=DirtyLarry;4457736]Alderson95,

I know you mention that you have a D44 lying around but check this out. The ORU kit that works with a Ford D60 is on sale for $354! That is a heck of a deal....actually, what that kit SHOULD cost. A $1000 was way too much originally.
[QUOTE]

Larry you miss read the ad.
It is still way too much for this kit!
Price: $699.95
List Price: $1,054.94
You Save: $354.99

Alderson95 · 02-04-2011, 01:10 PM

I got the axles out of the blazer. Iv started to strip the uper and lower control arms on the 97. Can the cross member on the 97 the one under the motor be removed our does it have to be cut out. Because it seams like it's going to be in the way.
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propanemudtruck · 02-04-2011, 02:10 PM

I haven't done a solid axle swap on a full size, but from what I've heard you should build a new crossmember BEFORE removing the old. Makes sense to me! Good luck

and get those pictures up! check out www.photobucket.com, it's easy to use and you don't have to pay a dime...

ghettoluxury · 02-04-2011, 07:00 PM

Do not cut the cross member out, it is a very important part of the frame's structure. It will not be in the way, you may need to trim it after instilation of the front axle but not much.

DirtyLarry · 02-04-2011, 07:40 PM

[quote=ghettoluxury;4461539][QUOTE=DirtyLarry;4457736]Alderson95,

I know you mention that you have a D44 lying around but check this out. The ORU kit that works with a Ford D60 is on sale for $354! That is a heck of a deal....actually, what that kit SHOULD cost. A $1000 was way too much originally.

Quote:

Larry you miss read the ad.
It is still way too much for this kit!
Price: $699.95
List Price: $1,054.94
You Save: $354.99

Ouch! You're right.....and it is too much. My bad.

Alderson95 · 02-05-2011, 12:22 PM

I orderd the hangers and misc it coast a little bit. I have orderd a cross member from off road direct so it will geet rid of the old bulky motor cross member. Now what would be a good trans case to go with. O i saw extrem 4x4 today and they did a solid axle swap on a 97 blazer just thought that was cool.
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02-02-2011, 01:20 PM	#1
Alderson95 Registered User Join Date: Oct 2010 Location: Whitney Posts: 152	Solid axle swap on 97 swb I have a 97 swb step side 1500 chevy. The truck is 2wd it has the vortec 350 and 4l60e trans. I have a 79 k5 blazer that was wreked and sits in my back yard. The blazer has the dana 44 axles. Now iv dun the solid axle swap before on the 2500 & 3500. I am just un shure where to hang the hangers on the rear up front on the truck. If any one has any thing it would help first time iv done this by my self thanks. Posted via Mobile Device

02-02-2011, 04:55 PM	#2
jbclassix Junk Yartist Join Date: Jul 2009 Location: Greeley, CO Posts: 2,203	Re: Solid axle swap on 97 swb A GREAT place to start http://www.offroadunlimited.com/orus...?idCategory=18 My built 96 (R.I.P) A GREAT place to start http://www.offroadunlimited.com/orus...?idCategory=18 __________________ -Jeremy YOU ONLY FAIL IF YOU STOP TRYING 70 Crew Cab Build Link 70 GMC Suburban 4X4 build thread 95 Yukon Daily Driver Rebuilding an NP205

02-02-2011, 05:47 PM	#3
Alderson95 Registered User Join Date: Oct 2010 Location: Whitney Posts: 152	Re: Solid axle swap on 97 swb Wow great truck man i love it thanks for the site's and if you don't mind my asking was your swap easy and what was you total coast. Posted via Mobile Device

02-02-2011, 05:56 PM	#4
jbclassix Junk Yartist Join Date: Jul 2009 Location: Greeley, CO Posts: 2,203	Re: Solid axle swap on 97 swb SUPER easy. I only drilled the holes in the frame. My wife (fiance at the time) did all the work. I had a cast on! These are estimates of what I spent ORU kit 800 front springs 4" 250 rear springs 8" 800 steering kit 400 front axle built 600 wheels and tires 1200 driveshafts 300 There are cheaper ways to go obviously. __________________ -Jeremy YOU ONLY FAIL IF YOU STOP TRYING 70 Crew Cab Build Link 70 GMC Suburban 4X4 build thread 95 Yukon Daily Driver Rebuilding an NP205

02-02-2011, 06:09 PM	#5
DirtyLarry Windy Corner of a Dirty Street Join Date: Jun 2003 Location: Pueblo West, Colorado Posts: 2,926	Re: Solid axle swap on 97 swb Alderson95, I know you mention that you have a D44 lying around but check this out. The ORU kit that works with a Ford D60 is on sale for $354! That is a heck of a deal....actually, what that kit SHOULD cost. A $1000 was way too much originally. http://www.offroadunlimited.com/orus...dproduct=10754 Jbclassix, I love that truck! The only thing I would do is ditch that electric shift tcase. __________________ Current vehicle collection: 1978 Chevrolet K10, 8.1L, NV4500, NP205 1989 Chevrolet Suburban, 8.1L, NV4500, NP241 1993 Chevrolet C1500 Sportside, TBI 7.4L, 4L60E 2001 Chevrolet K2500HD, Ext Cab, SWB, 8.1L, ZF 6 speed 2014 Chevrolet Impala LTZ 3.6L Vortec 8.1L because life is too short to tolerate underpowered vehicles Instagram

02-02-2011, 06:11 PM	#6
Alderson95 Registered User Join Date: Oct 2010 Location: Whitney Posts: 152	Re: Solid axle swap on 97 swb i have don a solid axle swap before on this year of truck. i had olny dun it to the 3/4ton and they were all 4x4's. iv got a 95 2500 gmc with the swap and a duramax lb7 swap. and did you lose your truck or somthing.

02-02-2011, 06:13 PM	#8
Alderson95 Registered User Join Date: Oct 2010 Location: Whitney Posts: 152	Re: Solid axle swap on 97 swb iv considerd the dana 60's only problem is every body want's one so it makes them hard to find. if i could get one i would.

02-02-2011, 11:08 PM	#10
Alderson95 Registered User Join Date: Oct 2010 Location: Whitney Posts: 152	Re: Solid axle swap on 97 swb Id post but i don't have the gold membership or somthing or for that matter a camra but i will ugrade my membership soon i hope and ill get a camra from my brother so ill ceep yall posted and sory about the truck i sold my 98 crew cab short bed 454 with 6in lift for 2200 so i know the feeling Posted via Mobile Device

02-04-2011, 03:59 AM	#11
MTCK Registered User Join Date: Dec 2009 Location: Fairbanks, AK Posts: 1,830	Re: Solid axle swap on 97 swb I like the idea of the D60 front. You're going to have lug patterns that don't match already (6 in front, 5 in rear) so it might as well be 8 all the way around... __________________ -Marcus 1991 V3500 L29 454 4L80E NP205 D60/14 Bolt 4.56's 1984 K30 292 TH400 NP205 D60/14 Bolt 4.56's flat bed 7'6" Meyer Plow 2022 Silverado 3500 L8T Project Daily Driver Project Heavy Hauler Project Plow Truck

02-04-2011, 09:50 AM	#12
ghettoluxury Registered User Join Date: Apr 2009 Location: Waynesfield Ohio Posts: 1,991	Re: Solid axle swap on 97 swb If you have the blazer already you have everything you need. Roll the front axle under the truck (with the leaf springs and front hanger attached and center the wheel in the fender well. Weld the front hangers from the front leaf springs to the frame. Then take the rear hangers and shackles from the rear of the blazer and bolt them to the oppisite front leaf spring, this will put the flat part that used to be on the outside of the frame on the inside of the frame so that it can be welded in place. Now on the rear you may be able to roll the blazer axle under there with the springs and have them bolt right up to the hangers and shackles on the truck. If not you can blow both spring packs apart and add the extra blazer springs to the truck springs to get a level ride height. If this is done make sure you put new guide pins through the spring pack to keep them together. __________________ 1949 Five Window, 1973 Step Side, 2000 Z71 Last edited by ghettoluxury; 02-04-2011 at 09:51 AM.

02-04-2011, 09:57 AM	#13
ghettoluxury Registered User Join Date: Apr 2009 Location: Waynesfield Ohio Posts: 1,991	Re: Solid axle swap on 97 swb [QUOTE=DirtyLarry;4457736]Alderson95, I know you mention that you have a D44 lying around but check this out. The ORU kit that works with a Ford D60 is on sale for $354! That is a heck of a deal....actually, what that kit SHOULD cost. A $1000 was way too much originally. [QUOTE] Larry you miss read the ad. It is still way too much for this kit! Price: $699.95 List Price: $1,054.94 You Save: $354.99 __________________ 1949 Five Window, 1973 Step Side, 2000 Z71 Last edited by ghettoluxury; 02-04-2011 at 09:59 AM.

02-04-2011, 01:10 PM	#14
Alderson95 Registered User Join Date: Oct 2010 Location: Whitney Posts: 152	Re: Solid axle swap on 97 swb I got the axles out of the blazer. Iv started to strip the uper and lower control arms on the 97. Can the cross member on the 97 the one under the motor be removed our does it have to be cut out. Because it seams like it's going to be in the way. Posted via Mobile Device

02-04-2011, 02:10 PM	#15
propanemudtruck Local Redneck Authority Join Date: Mar 2009 Location: Grand Rapids, MI Posts: 584	Re: Solid axle swap on 97 swb I haven't done a solid axle swap on a full size, but from what I've heard you should build a new crossmember BEFORE removing the old. Makes sense to me! Good luck and get those pictures up! check out www.photobucket.com, it's easy to use and you don't have to pay a dime... __________________ -Kevin four on the floor feel the beat in your soul movin to the rhythym pumpin til ya cant take no more dance if you want to do what you came to you cant ignore the feeling of that four on the floor

02-04-2011, 07:00 PM	#16
ghettoluxury Registered User Join Date: Apr 2009 Location: Waynesfield Ohio Posts: 1,991	Re: Solid axle swap on 97 swb Do not cut the cross member out, it is a very important part of the frame's structure. It will not be in the way, you may need to trim it after instilation of the front axle but not much. __________________ 1949 Five Window, 1973 Step Side, 2000 Z71

02-05-2011, 12:22 PM	#18
Alderson95 Registered User Join Date: Oct 2010 Location: Whitney Posts: 152	Re: Solid axle swap on 97 swb I orderd the hangers and misc it coast a little bit. I have orderd a cross member from off road direct so it will geet rid of the old bulky motor cross member. Now what would be a good trans case to go with. O i saw extrem 4x4 today and they did a solid axle swap on a 97 blazer just thought that was cool. Posted via Mobile Device



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