2 wheel drive conversion

[Toadfrog]

I bought a really nice survior 71 GMC Sierra 2 wheel drive 2 years ago to build into a 4 wheel drive.I love the truck and have enjoyed driving it while I round up the parts to build a 4 wheel drive out of it,I started out trying to use a 78 frame and realized the big differences after setting the cab over on it and trying to work out the mounts.I didnt like what I saw,so I stopped and went looking for a 4 wheel drive frame to use and found a good donor truck with a great frame with a rotten body.I have the donor truck stripped down,took frame to sandblaster,just got it back and painted.I have a 4" suspention lift for it,I have shackle reversal kit for the back along with a rear disc brake conversion bracket from DIY 4X4.I am using the 78 model 3/4 ton running gears, corp 14 bolt full floater rear,corp 10 in front.I am building a 383 stroker for it with an Eagle rotating assembly,hydraulic roller cam,I have a fresh 350 turbo trans with a NP208 transfer case for it.I bought a set of MT street lock 16x10 rims along with a set of 315/12.50/16 BFG Ko's.I work out of town 8 days and home for 6 so I only get a few days per month to work on it,but plan on starting back together with it weekend after next and finishing it this spring.I will post more pics as I go along with putting it together.

[Dingfodgy]

Sounds like you're puttin' together a nice driver. Is this a longbed or shorty? Is this gonna be your wheeler or a nice mall-crawler? Definately post up some pics..... I get's a little chubby fer the GMC's.

[Toadfrog]

It is a longbed truck and I am building it to be a nice daily driver,so I can enjoy it more.I like the GMC's too,my dad had had one for about 20 yrs,I learned to drive in it and drove it to high school.I have always liked them because they are a little different than the chevy's in the front end,I like things a little different.I tried to add some pics of it from the beginning,but came up about some key I was missing,when I figure it out I will definantly post some pics.

[pat 70/71]

Toadfrog, Its not how much time you get to spend working on your truck its what you do with that time! When you complete your truck it will be exactly what you wanted to drive. Sounds like it will be real cool daily driver and a lot of fun. post pics as you go I for one cant wait to follow your progress! cheers, Pat

[Toadfrog]

Thanks for the advice and vote of confidense,I am excited about my project and look foward to getting to work on it all I can.I have taken pictures from the begining but havent figured out how to post them yet.

[screamin_c10]

Originally Posted by Toadfrog

I tried to add some pics of it from the beginning,but came up about some key I was missing,when I figure it out I will definantly post some pics.

Try uploading the pics one at a time instead of choosing 5 pics at once... Happens to me on my work comp, but not here at the house... and Welcome to the board.

[Toadfrog]

Thank you,I will try that.

[woodwright]

You need to compare the rear cab mounts on both frames. I ran into a difference with my conversion. I think you just need to make sure you get the right body mount bushings.

[Average Joe]

Sounds like a cool build. Eagerly awaiting pics

[Toadfrog]

Here are some pics,I will add more as my build goes along

[Average Joe]

Nice work!

[Toadfrog]

I got my body off the 78 frame today,got the axles under my new frame and got the cab and frontend sitting on the frame.I only get a day or so at a time to work on it before I have to leave out again for work but I hope to get my body mounts all in and tightned today.I will take more pics andd post them as I progress,not going to be a fast build but I am making positive progress.

[Gene]

Originally Posted by Toadfrog

I got my body off the 78 frame today,got the axles under my new frame and got the cab and frontend sitting on the frame.I only get a day or so at a time to work on it before I have to leave out again for work but I hope to get my body mounts all in and tightned today.I will take more pics andd post them as I progress,not going to be a fast build but I am making positive progress.

Nice progress!
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[Toadfrog]

I havent posted anything on my build in a while,but making slow progress due to working out of town with limited time for my build.I got my axles back under my truck,the cab,bed and front end sat back on.I used a corp 10 bolt front with disc barakes and a corp 14 bolt rear which I have a disc brake conversion for a well.I got the body sat back on so I could take back to my garage to put the rest back together

[Toadfrog]

I sat the frontend back off to cleanup the firewall and repaint it,I also installed a new heatercore and cleaned,painted the heaterbox.I ordered all new stainless brakelines from LMC to run comlete to the back,I also ordered a Wilwood adjustable porportioning valve.I wanted to get these done before I put the engine and trans in.

[Toadfrog]

Here is a pic of my new engine,its a GM performance crate engine shortblock,I installed a Howards hydraulic roller towing cam complete with thier pushrods,1.6 roller tip rockers,it has a cloye true roller timing chain,the heads are aluminium with all the goodies,giude plates,screw in studs.I have a MSD atomic fuel injection for it,I think I will have plenty of power and the cam should work great for this.

[Toadfrog]

I had a friend build me a new trans for it,it is a 350 turbo with some really good parts in it,I am just running a new stock converter and going to run a NP 208 transfer case which my friend also went through and freshened up

[Toadfrog]

Here is a picture of it as it after I first brought it home and put my new tires and wheel on it,I thought I would be able to clear my 35" tires ok with a 4" lift but I decided to go with a 6",I used a shackle reversal from DIY on the back so I it would ride better and not have a block in the back either.

[Toadfrog]

I still have a lot of work to do,I am going to get my brakelines run while I am home this time and hope to get my engine and trans in the next time.I will be off from Dec 18th until Jan 8th,I hope to get most,if not all of it finished then.I found the only pic I have of it as a 2 wheel drive,it was a good truck then and I enjoyed driving it,but I am going to really like it when I get it finished.I look foward to driving it,I took it apart last Nov and have really missed driving it.

[oldblue1968chevy]

nice

[69GWC]

Looks like its going to be a really nice truck when your done.
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[Toadfrog]

Thank you,I think so but I dont want to go to nice,I want to use and drive it.

[Toadfrog]

Got my engine and trans installed,working on getting brackets,pulleys,headers,all engine and trans stuff hooked up.Got transfer case in and crossmember,measured drive shaft lengths to get lengthned.Slow progress,but things to do list slowly getting shorter.

[Toadfrog]

Got new moog ball joints,axle joints,inner and outer bearings,seals,axle inside spindle needle bearings,tie rod ends,drag links,detoit locker for rear should be there when I get home,hope to get it all installed this time home.

[4spd]

Could you provide some more info on your lift setup? From the picture it looks like you have an awesome stance!! 6" shackles in the rear with stock 3/4 ton springs? What did you do on the front and what brands??

Looks awesome, just wondering how to get this myself. Thanks
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