The 1947 - Present Chevrolet & GMC Truck Message Board Network - View Single Post - how hard is it to convert to 4 wheel drive

trukman1 · 07-12-2002, 05:17 AM

Sean, The 73-up front springs are longer but the diff's are open knuckle which is desireable. Most front end parts interchange easily at the frame due to the front portion of the frames being the same except for the spring length. Remember, the frames on the 73- up trucks had saddle tanks half way back (Frame steps up) and also were longer...approx. 4 5/8" on the LWB. It has been done well but you have to know your stuff. If you have leafs in the rear of your current frame the swap isn't that hard. Coils? That's another story, not impossible but probably not worth the pain. By the way, a coil spring rearend on a four x four sure would be flexy for those rock crawlers out there. Just my .02 cents. Good luck, Gary

07-12-2002, 05:17 AM	#18
trukman1 Registered User Join Date: Apr 2001 Location: Beavercreek, Ohio 45431 Posts: 737	4X Conversion Sean, The 73-up front springs are longer but the diff's are open knuckle which is desireable. Most front end parts interchange easily at the frame due to the front portion of the frames being the same except for the spring length. Remember, the frames on the 73- up trucks had saddle tanks half way back (Frame steps up) and also were longer...approx. 4 5/8" on the LWB. It has been done well but you have to know your stuff. If you have leafs in the rear of your current frame the swap isn't that hard. Coils? That's another story, not impossible but probably not worth the pain. By the way, a coil spring rearend on a four x four sure would be flexy for those rock crawlers out there. Just my .02 cents. Good luck, Gary