2 wheel drive to 4 wheel drive conversion - The 1947 - Present Chevrolet & GMC Truck Message Board Network

Mudder · 10-26-2018, 07:59 AM

I have a 99 Silverado. How hard would it be to change it from a 2 wheel drive to a 4 wheel drive.

DWilbur · 10-26-2018, 09:36 AM

The easiest way is to sell the 99 2WD and buy 4 WD. if you want to do swap the best way is to find a cheep truck to get the parts you need and sell off the rest of the truck.

**special-K** · 10-26-2018, 06:35 PM

Set it on a Squarebody 4wd chassis

sweetk30 · 10-26-2018, 07:10 PM

the newer stuff is a lot harder to swap over with all the electrics and abs and such .

and swapping on a older 4wd frame gets fun as the newer frames are set WIDE compared to the older 34" frame width .

you might look at doing a solid axle conversion with leaf springs . some company's out there offer a almost bolt in kit . just have to look then source a axle / leafs and t-case plus crossover steering kit .

**CarolinaHD** · 10-26-2018, 07:52 PM

It's doable I just did one, its way easier than trying to convert a pre1987 frame to 4x4.
Helps to have the frames side by side for comparison but here goes for a factory IFS conversion. I did mine on a 2003 3500 cab and chassis Silverado, lb7 duramax and zf6 manual transmission. Converted it to floor shift 4x4, zf6, and a 2006 lbz engine. All the wiring is factory and everything works like it came from the factory that way.

You have to locate, cut out and weld in a sleeve for the upper passenger side frame mount bushing. The lower passenger mount sleeve is already there. Cut out the lower control arm crossmember mount on the drivers side and knock out the tubes the bolts run through. Use the 4x4 crossmember and weld on the new driver side mount. Cut out the driver side upper mount, locate and weld it on the new frame.

I had the engine removed and used a cherry picker to hold the differential in place. Bolted all the mounts to the diff then welded them in place. You'll need a subscription to alldatadiy to figure out the electrical part. Need the transfer case and front diff actuator harnesses. It'll be much easier to use the floor shift transfer case. Just need to relfash the ecm with a 4x4 calibration. Nothing changes in the abs.

You'll be money/time ahead to buy a wrecked truck for all the little parts and wiring or just swap the frame. Cab and chassis frames are harder to find which is why I modified my frame. Wish I had some pictures for ya.

Mudder · 10-26-2018, 08:13 PM

Sounds Tuff. Thank you all. I really don't own the truck but was thinking about buying it tomorrow at an auction. It's a really sweet truck with 29,000 miles. I just don't think I need a two wheel drive for what it's going to bring. Thanks again. I'm going to stick with the older trucks. You guys are awesome.

10-26-2018, 07:59 AM	#1
Mudder Registered User Join Date: Feb 2001 Location: East Central, MO Posts: 11,336	2 wheel drive to 4 wheel drive conversion I have a 99 Silverado. How hard would it be to change it from a 2 wheel drive to a 4 wheel drive.

10-26-2018, 09:36 AM	#2
DWilbur Registered User Join Date: Aug 2013 Location: San Jose Ca Posts: 965	Re: 2 wheel drive to 4 wheel drive conversion The easiest way is to sell the 99 2WD and buy 4 WD. if you want to do swap the best way is to find a cheep truck to get the parts you need and sell off the rest of the truck.

10-26-2018, 06:35 PM	#3
special-K Special Order Join Date: Nov 2004 Location: Mt Airy, MD Posts: 85,851	Re: 2 wheel drive to 4 wheel drive conversion Set it on a Squarebody 4wd chassis __________________ "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 ~

10-26-2018, 07:10 PM	#4
sweetk30 Registered User Join Date: May 2012 Location: horseheads,ny rust belt Posts: 2,794	Re: 2 wheel drive to 4 wheel drive conversion the newer stuff is a lot harder to swap over with all the electrics and abs and such . and swapping on a older 4wd frame gets fun as the newer frames are set WIDE compared to the older 34" frame width . you might look at doing a solid axle conversion with leaf springs . some company's out there offer a almost bolt in kit . just have to look then source a axle / leafs and t-case plus crossover steering kit . __________________ 77-k30lb BIG truck build . 87-k30lb budget beater build . 85-k30lb the plow machine build . 85-c10sb summer fun toy . ----------------------------- HOLLEY SNIPER efi = worst case of p.i.t.a i ever had . EDELBROCK pro flo 4 = best deal going so far . love my setup works great.

10-26-2018, 07:52 PM	#5
CarolinaHD Moderator Join Date: Aug 2017 Location: Cabarrus Posts: 418	Re: 2 wheel drive to 4 wheel drive conversion It's doable I just did one, its way easier than trying to convert a pre1987 frame to 4x4. Helps to have the frames side by side for comparison but here goes for a factory IFS conversion. I did mine on a 2003 3500 cab and chassis Silverado, lb7 duramax and zf6 manual transmission. Converted it to floor shift 4x4, zf6, and a 2006 lbz engine. All the wiring is factory and everything works like it came from the factory that way. You have to locate, cut out and weld in a sleeve for the upper passenger side frame mount bushing. The lower passenger mount sleeve is already there. Cut out the lower control arm crossmember mount on the drivers side and knock out the tubes the bolts run through. Use the 4x4 crossmember and weld on the new driver side mount. Cut out the driver side upper mount, locate and weld it on the new frame. I had the engine removed and used a cherry picker to hold the differential in place. Bolted all the mounts to the diff then welded them in place. You'll need a subscription to alldatadiy to figure out the electrical part. Need the transfer case and front diff actuator harnesses. It'll be much easier to use the floor shift transfer case. Just need to relfash the ecm with a 4x4 calibration. Nothing changes in the abs. You'll be money/time ahead to buy a wrecked truck for all the little parts and wiring or just swap the frame. Cab and chassis frames are harder to find which is why I modified my frame. Wish I had some pictures for ya. __________________ Alex 1967 C50 292ci Lumber truck 1967 C50 292ci Dump truck 1967 C60 366ci Fire truck

10-26-2018, 08:13 PM	#6
Mudder Registered User Join Date: Feb 2001 Location: East Central, MO Posts: 11,336	Re: 2 wheel drive to 4 wheel drive conversion Sounds Tuff. Thank you all. I really don't own the truck but was thinking about buying it tomorrow at an auction. It's a really sweet truck with 29,000 miles. I just don't think I need a two wheel drive for what it's going to bring. Thanks again. I'm going to stick with the older trucks. You guys are awesome.



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