2wheel drive conversion - The 1947 - Present Chevrolet & GMC Truck Message Board Network

zachery0603 · 03-15-2015, 09:59 PM

Hello all, i currently have a 71 GMC long bed 2wd and i am kicking around the idea of converting it to 4wheel drive. I am looking for Info i know that I can use a 71 4x4 frame and put my body one it. Is there other years that can be used for this swap. My Body is in almost perfect shape. Any and all help would be great. I know that i can do a 4x4 conversion on my frame but i am afraid that by the end of it i would have more $$ in it than if i just found a complete 4x4 truck with drive train with a body that is shot. thanks again for the help.

**70cst** · 03-15-2015, 10:18 PM

Here is some reading for you. Hope it helps.

Any interest in a 2wd to 4wd conversion kit?

http://67-72chevytrucks.com/vboard/s...d.php?t=545693

68 4wd conversion...PLEASE HELP
http://67-72chevytrucks.com/vboard/s...d.php?t=459248

70cst 4wd conversion
http://67-72chevytrucks.com/vboard/s...d.php?t=448662

zachery0603 · 03-15-2015, 10:32 PM

I am not sure I have anot interest but I am trying to figure out if it will be more money to go this way or try and find d a donor 4x4 that will work I will keep this in mind what would the price be for the kit?

**70cst** · 03-15-2015, 10:47 PM

Don't know the price but I would think a donor truck would be easier. Others?

**special-K** · 03-16-2015, 09:14 AM

Finding a donor frame is definitely the better way to go. The best way is find a junky complete 4wd truck. You will be sure to have every nit pickin' part you'll need and get some scrap money (or sale of parts) money back

**First c10** · 03-16-2015, 12:28 PM

I am thinking of just using a 2WD frame as I am also having a hard time finding a 4wd frame in good shape. I have found a 1971 2wd frame for 100$ and a 1991 4wd suburban frame for 200$. I am thinking about changing over the parts from the 91 to the 71....I am thinking a good job for my son....(that's a lot of thinking)

**First c10** · 03-16-2015, 12:51 PM

Does anyone have a copy of the frame specifications for a C10 frames and the K10 frames? I want to compare. I have found a couple but cant read them. Maybe the location of where they are? in what manual etc?
Sorry I didn't mean to hijack the thread just thought this is a good thread for this information.

burnin oil · 03-16-2015, 02:53 PM

I have seen it done before on this body style. One was done over a weekend using donor parts and looked great. Basically just welding or bolting on the spring hangers for the front axle off of another 4x4 truck. You also have to modify/remove the front cross member. Assuming your truck is leaf sprung now it would just take a lot of measurements to get it all lined up. I would use parts from a 73+ as they are a lot more plentiful. This is definatly doable with a little fab work but it is all up to you fab skills. The devil is in the details like converting the steering box to work with the new steering linkage. It may just take a steering arm. I don't know on that one.

El Dorado Jim · 03-16-2015, 03:43 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by zachery0603

Hello all, i currently have a 71 GMC long bed 2wd and i am kicking around the idea of converting it to 4wheel drive. I am looking for Info i know that I can use a 71 4x4 frame and put my body one it. Is there other years that can be used for this swap. My Body is in almost perfect shape. Any and all help would be great. I know that i can do a 4x4 conversion on my frame but i am afraid that by the end of it i would have more $$ in it than if i just found a complete 4x4 truck with drive train with a body that is shot. thanks again for the help.

I have done this conversion, you have to use a 4x4 frame, and it is soooo much easier if you find a complete donor truck, then you will have all the parts you need....Good luck!

**First c10** · 03-16-2015, 04:28 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by El Dorado Jim

I have done this conversion, you have to use a 4x4 frame, and it is soooo much easier if you find a complete donor truck, then you will have all the parts you need....Good luck!

Jim, what it the difference in the 2wd and 4wd frame?

El Dorado Jim · 03-22-2015, 01:56 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by First c10

Jim, what it the difference in the 2wd and 4wd frame?

I will try and get some pics of the differences when I get a chance....

mechanicalman · 03-22-2015, 03:46 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by zachery0603

Hello all, i currently have a 71 GMC long bed 2wd and i am kicking around the idea of converting it to 4wheel drive. I am looking for Info i know that I can use a 71 4x4 frame and put my body one it. Is there other years that can be used for this swap. My Body is in almost perfect shape. Any and all help would be great. I know that i can do a 4x4 conversion on my frame but i am afraid that by the end of it i would have more $$ in it than if i just found a complete 4x4 truck with drive train with a body that is shot. thanks again for the help.

If your frame is for a 3/4 ton, and cab for a manual trans, I think it's easier because of cab mount systems (different brackets riveted to the frame and different mounts were used) and transmission tunnel (you need the "high hump").

Starting with a GMC the rear springs should be leaf unless coils were special ordered when the truck was built.

EVEN if you want to use your frame, I'd get the parts truck. Do you want to make it a 1/2 ton 4WD or a 3/4 ton 4WD?

**First c10** · 03-23-2015, 03:49 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by El Dorado Jim

I will try and get some pics of the differences when I get a chance....

Any chance yet?

El Dorado Jim · 04-01-2015, 12:57 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by First c10

Any chance yet?

I have been very busy lately, I took some pics and what I see is that the frames look the same,just all the crossmembers are different, like someone else said, if you have a 2-wheel drive with rear leaf springs, half the battle is done,it is all the other crossmembers and motor mount/crossmember front spring hangers,,etc...that you will have to find...almost impossible without a donor truck or 4x4 frame, will try and post some pics tomorrow

El Dorado Jim · 04-06-2015, 02:33 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by El Dorado Jim

I have been very busy lately, I took some pics and what I see is that the frames look the same,just all the crossmembers are different, like someone else said, if you have a 2-wheel drive with rear leaf springs, half the battle is done,it is all the other crossmembers and motor mount/crossmember front spring hangers,,etc...that you will have to find...almost impossible without a donor truck or 4x4 frame, will try and post some pics tomorrow

hope these help

El Dorado Jim · 04-06-2015, 02:08 PM

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Quote:

Originally Posted by El Dorado Jim

hope these help

these are the 2-wheel drive frame pics

El Dorado Jim · 04-06-2015, 02:15 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by El Dorado Jim

hope these help

4-wheel drive frame pics

**First c10** · 04-09-2015, 10:02 AM

Jim thanks for the pictures. The frames look close. I found a 4wd frame. Thanks Scott

03-15-2015, 09:59 PM	#1
zachery0603 Registered User Join Date: Dec 2011 Location: Lakeville Indiana Posts: 3	2wheel drive conversion Hello all, i currently have a 71 GMC long bed 2wd and i am kicking around the idea of converting it to 4wheel drive. I am looking for Info i know that I can use a 71 4x4 frame and put my body one it. Is there other years that can be used for this swap. My Body is in almost perfect shape. Any and all help would be great. I know that i can do a 4x4 conversion on my frame but i am afraid that by the end of it i would have more $$ in it than if i just found a complete 4x4 truck with drive train with a body that is shot. thanks again for the help.

03-15-2015, 10:18 PM	#2
70cst Senior Member Join Date: Feb 2001 Location: New Madison, Ohio Posts: 21,373	Re: 2wheel drive conversion Here is some reading for you. Hope it helps. Any interest in a 2wd to 4wd conversion kit? http://67-72chevytrucks.com/vboard/s...d.php?t=545693 68 4wd conversion...PLEASE HELP http://67-72chevytrucks.com/vboard/s...d.php?t=459248 70cst 4wd conversion http://67-72chevytrucks.com/vboard/s...d.php?t=448662 __________________ A husband can be right...or...A husband can be happy. 67-72 Chevy and GMC Trucks...The Classic Truck for the Classic Folk. 1970 CST Two tone green, 402BB, 400 Automatic, Tach, Buckets, AC, AM-FM, Tilt, GM CB, GM 8 Tract, LWB, etc JOHN 17:3...The better side of "LIFE" Remember: Everyday is a good day...Some are just gooder!

03-15-2015, 10:32 PM	#3
zachery0603 Registered User Join Date: Dec 2011 Location: Lakeville Indiana Posts: 3	Re: 2wheel drive conversion I am not sure I have anot interest but I am trying to figure out if it will be more money to go this way or try and find d a donor 4x4 that will work I will keep this in mind what would the price be for the kit?

03-15-2015, 10:47 PM	#4
70cst Senior Member Join Date: Feb 2001 Location: New Madison, Ohio Posts: 21,373	Re: 2wheel drive conversion Don't know the price but I would think a donor truck would be easier. Others? __________________ A husband can be right...or...A husband can be happy. 67-72 Chevy and GMC Trucks...The Classic Truck for the Classic Folk. 1970 CST Two tone green, 402BB, 400 Automatic, Tach, Buckets, AC, AM-FM, Tilt, GM CB, GM 8 Tract, LWB, etc JOHN 17:3...The better side of "LIFE" Remember: Everyday is a good day...Some are just gooder!

03-16-2015, 09:14 AM	#5
special-K Special Order Join Date: Nov 2004 Location: Mt Airy, MD Posts: 85,851	Re: 2wheel drive conversion Finding a donor frame is definitely the better way to go. The best way is find a junky complete 4wd truck. You will be sure to have every nit pickin' part you'll need and get some scrap money (or sale of parts) money back __________________ "BUILDING A BETTER WAY TO SERVE THE USA"......67/72......"The New Breed" GMC '67 C1500 Wideside Super Custom SWB: 327/M22/3.42 posi.........."The '67" (project) GMC '72 K2500 Wideside Sierra Custom Camper: 350/TH350/4.10 Power-Lok..."The '72" (rolling) Tim "Don't call me a redneck. I'm a rough cut country gentleman" R.I.P. ~ East Side Low Life ~ El Jay ~ 72BLUZ ~ Fasteddie69 ~ Ron586 ~ 67ChevyRedneck ~ Grumpy Old Man ~

03-16-2015, 12:28 PM	#6
First c10 Registered User Join Date: Dec 2012 Location: Los Banos CA Posts: 2,705	Re: 2wheel drive conversion I am thinking of just using a 2WD frame as I am also having a hard time finding a 4wd frame in good shape. I have found a 1971 2wd frame for 100$ and a 1991 4wd suburban frame for 200$. I am thinking about changing over the parts from the 91 to the 71....I am thinking a good job for my son....(that's a lot of thinking) __________________ 1956 Chevy Bel Air 2 door 1956 Chevy 210 4 Door 1970 K20 LWB project the Hulk build w/Supercharged 4.8L-ly2/4L60E HULK BUILD 1970 C10 Yellow/White Deluxe LWB w/ 5.3L-LC9/6L80E 1968 K10 LWB Dark green my son calls it "THE HULK Jr"HULK JR SOLD GO GO!!!

03-16-2015, 12:51 PM	#7
First c10 Registered User Join Date: Dec 2012 Location: Los Banos CA Posts: 2,705	Re: 2wheel drive conversion Does anyone have a copy of the frame specifications for a C10 frames and the K10 frames? I want to compare. I have found a couple but cant read them. Maybe the location of where they are? in what manual etc? Sorry I didn't mean to hijack the thread just thought this is a good thread for this information. __________________ 1956 Chevy Bel Air 2 door 1956 Chevy 210 4 Door 1970 K20 LWB project the Hulk build w/Supercharged 4.8L-ly2/4L60E HULK BUILD 1970 C10 Yellow/White Deluxe LWB w/ 5.3L-LC9/6L80E 1968 K10 LWB Dark green my son calls it "THE HULK Jr"HULK JR SOLD GO GO!!!

03-16-2015, 02:53 PM	#8
burnin oil Registered User Join Date: Jan 2013 Location: Eastern TN Posts: 1,921	Re: 2wheel drive conversion I have seen it done before on this body style. One was done over a weekend using donor parts and looked great. Basically just welding or bolting on the spring hangers for the front axle off of another 4x4 truck. You also have to modify/remove the front cross member. Assuming your truck is leaf sprung now it would just take a lot of measurements to get it all lined up. I would use parts from a 73+ as they are a lot more plentiful. This is definatly doable with a little fab work but it is all up to you fab skills. The devil is in the details like converting the steering box to work with the new steering linkage. It may just take a steering arm. I don't know on that one.

04-09-2015, 10:02 AM	#18
First c10 Registered User Join Date: Dec 2012 Location: Los Banos CA Posts: 2,705	Re: 2wheel drive conversion Jim thanks for the pictures. The frames look close. I found a 4wd frame. Thanks Scott __________________ 1956 Chevy Bel Air 2 door 1956 Chevy 210 4 Door 1970 K20 LWB project the Hulk build w/Supercharged 4.8L-ly2/4L60E HULK BUILD 1970 C10 Yellow/White Deluxe LWB w/ 5.3L-LC9/6L80E 1968 K10 LWB Dark green my son calls it "THE HULK Jr"HULK JR SOLD GO GO!!!



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