4wd conversion?

[Cheyenne73]

Anyone tackled a 4wd conversion??

[GM72K10]

Lots of people here have. You have to be more specific

[sweetk30]

here is my build right now. http://67-72chevytrucks.com/vboard/s...d.php?t=755514

its fairly easy to do if you have the parts and time.

also there is a few ways to do it . but best way if you ask me is 4x4 frame swap .

[Bandit130]

[pointbreak]

I've been thinking about it. From the research I've done and the advice from around here. The best plan of attach seems to be find a 4x4 chassis that fits your needs. That being said I'm wondering if anyone knows what frames I may be able to stuff under a 3x3 2wd from 84. I got my eye on one for cheap haha.

[sweetk30]

you need a 4wd version of the 2wd truck you have .

i just cut a crew cab 4wd frame down to a std cab frame spec and welded it up .

[pointbreak]

That'd be the easiest. Unfortunately 4x4 crew cab frames are tuff to find where I am. Decent ones anyways. Might have to get creative haha

Anyways I've heard of guy converting a 2wd frame to 4x4 but that seems like waaaay more hassle than it's worth

[rideair]

I would think you could take a 3/4 ton 4x4 Suburban, cut the frame behind the second seat (but before the rear wheels) add metal and you're done.

Here's a picture of my 3+3 when I took the bed off. I'll look at my 1988 Suburban (putting in a new trans) this weekend to see if it's the same just shorter. I looked on the web, and the images look very close.

[NastyBuzzard]

I have actually designed a kit for 1 tons and crew cabs. However, I gotta say it is definitely easier to just do a body swap if you can find a good frame.

[franken]

Short answer: Buy a 4x4 unless you like misery.
Get one w/ the trans you want and an NP205. 203 and 208 not so good.

[kwmech]

I've done at least a dozen over the years both 67-72 body and the square bodys. I don't think it's such a big deal. Last one I tackled was for my son-in-law. Had a 72 longhorn frame, shortened it 6'' and converted to 4x at the same time. He took a rolling frame out of here just this past weekend. Custom front springs, partially set-up for a big block. He's going to finish the fabrication of the front x-member and the trans x-member once he gets the drivetrain installed. 454, turbo 400, 241.

[kwmech]

couple more

[kwmech]

Lost a file in the computer somewhere with the springs installed. Only going to need about a 2'' block in the rear to level it out. I'll look for the other picture file tomorrow.

[kwmech]

Found the pics of the steering box reinforcement

[NastyBuzzard]

I wouldn't say its too much of a hassle. Ours is almost a completely bolt on affair. Uses almost all factory 2wd holes. Minimal drilling to be honest. We tried to make it so almost anyone who can operate a drill and tape measure can do it.

Here are a few pictures. One showing the dually before and then after.

We are even working on a trans xmember for the swap as well as a new front xmember to allow factory sway bar to be mounted up, or even an aftermarket one if someone is running xover.

[erichevy]

Cool kit! I have considered converting my 79 C35 SRW to a 4X4. A kit sure would make it easier I would think.

[NastyBuzzard]

Originally Posted by erichevy

Cool kit! I have considered converting my 79 C35 SRW to a 4X4. A kit sure would make it easier I would think.

Yeah I can tell you first hand it definitely makes it easier. I designed it just bc how much of a pain it is to do it using factory parts or donor parts from a factory 4wd. I still say frame swap is easiest if you can find a frame but they are hard to come by around me.

We designed it to use as many factory holes as possible so minimal drilling. We even made some youtube videos going through stripping off the 2wd hangers and such and installing our kit. We tried to make it so everyone could do it and not just people who have a lot of fabrication skills.