Convert 2500HD to 4wd?
 

I searched it, next to no info on the topic.

I have my on and off daily driver 2004 2500hd RCLB, I also have a 2003 GMC 2500HD extra cab long box parts truck, has manual floor shift transfer case.

If it was an easy job I'd like to convert it to 4wd, while I'm at it also would like to add the dual zone climate control and add air conditioning.

Anybody familiar with this conversion? I know I'll need a driveshaft, what else do I need other than time? Or should I do what might be the right thing and just buy another 4wd truck with AC. At the end of the day the truck wont have traction control or staibilitrac that my suburban 2500 has. That stuff works great in bad conditions.

Re: Convert 2500HD to 4wd?
 

What's wrong with the 2003?
I assume the 2003 has dual zone climate control. This is not just the control head in the dash. There's a temp sensor in the headliner and an outdoor temp sensor that might or might not be present along with the associated wiring... among other things. GM didn't make it easy to edit the BCM so it's not just a matter of plugging in and flipping a few bits or bytes to recognize the new hardware. I have seen some software for modding BCM contents but I don't have any experience with it.

The forward 1/3 of the 4wd frame has mounts for the front axle and other small differences.
It's not impossible but it's not just a bolt in project.

If you want 4wd parting out the 04 to make the 03 operational might be the easiest way to go about it. Extreme rust will preclude this course of action.

Re: Convert 2500HD to 4wd?
 

That's it, the 2003 is extremely rusted and the 2004 is rust free.

Crazy how all manufacturers make things so complicated with the BCM now, in this case I could swap everything from the '03 and it should work. It's just looking like so much work.

I was pushing and pulling the 03 around the yard with the 04 the last few days, really makes me want 4wd.

Re: Convert 2500HD to 4wd?
 

Automotive manufacturers have a massive markup on the next "trim level" that includes these creature comfort items.
They want to make sure their dealers and customers can't just buy the optional parts from a wreck to upgrade and make the vehicle more valuable.

:m5:
This kinda stuff plays into the edges of the "right to repair" movement.
GM charges an insane amount for Global architecture control modules. Ford, Chrysler, Toyota, ... are playing the same game. They've purposely made it almost impossible to install a perfectly good used replacement module ( It can be done but it's not easy ). The reasons are twofold. They make extortionate profits from the sale of these controllers and the price of these parts makes the cost of repairs high enough that scrapping the vehicle and buying a different one is attractive. That is the goal. Planned obsolescence. Just like appliances but they actually have to skirt better consumer protection laws than the appliance industry.
Their argument is they want to keep the internal software out of the hands of competitors. Smoke and mirrors boys. Any electrical engineer worth his salt can reverse engineer one of these controllers and build one that doesn't infringe on the originators patents in a fairly short timeframe.

Re: Convert 2500HD to 4wd?
 

I think finding a 4wd truck with AC would honestly end up cheaper and significantly easier, and you could either keep the 2wd as a hot rod/summer/trash run truck, or sell it to reclaim some of that. Even parting out the rusty 03 could probably help offset the cost. I see you're in Canada - we run into the same issues here in Maine and I've taken to buying my vehicles outside of the salt-belt.








Its nice to hear someone that was in the industry say this - my brother is going through the same thing with an Audi, though the german market has some free/open source software to make the required adjustments pretty easily. A buddy of mine does it for VW's to customize behaviors he doesnt like.

More and more I am just sticking with older vehicles that have less features/functions. It becomes difficult living in the rust belt, but that won't be forever.

Re: Convert 2500HD to 4wd?
 

VAG Gruppe vehicle controllers in vehicles like VW, Audi, Seat, Skoda etc have been thoroughly reverse engineered.
If you have the right aftermarket tool you can change a host of things about how your vehicle behaves. I shut off the seatbelt chime, turned on remote window control, turned on the function that rolls up windows when it rains, changed to Scandanavian DRL, installed steering wheel controls along with front and rear fog lamps using factory pieces under BCM control in my 2005 Jetta TDI.