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-   -   1971 2wd to 4wd conversion build (https://67-72chevytrucks.com/vboard/showthread.php?t=840978)

C130Nav 01-04-2023 12:31 PM

1971 2wd to 4wd conversion build
 
2 Attachment(s)
Saved a '71 burb from an early death as a "Crew cab" donor body a few years back.

Now, doing a 4wd / LQ9/4L65E conversion. Sourced a 8" lifted '70 4wd 'burb chassis that was modded to fit a LWB truck. Unf*cking it so 'burb body fits back on it was step one, and rebuilding everything.

Attachment 2245699

Attachment 2245700

C130Nav 01-04-2023 12:33 PM

Re: 1971 2wd to 4wd conversion build
 
1 Attachment(s)
Drivers side rocker/floor. Very clean

C130Nav 01-04-2023 12:38 PM

Re: 1971 2wd to 4wd conversion build
 
5 Attachment(s)
Roamed the backroads of northern AR

C130Nav 01-04-2023 12:44 PM

Re: 1971 2wd to 4wd conversion build
 
5 Attachment(s)
3rd door rocker repair

C130Nav 01-04-2023 12:46 PM

Re: 1971 2wd to 4wd conversion build
 
3 Attachment(s)
Passenger door rocker repair

71meangreenc10 01-04-2023 06:20 PM

Re: 1971 2wd to 4wd conversion build
 
I will be doing a conversion on a Longhorn. Got all my parts from a 72 Burb 4X4 that is getting beefed up.

Smitty

CG 01-04-2023 06:24 PM

Re: 1971 2wd to 4wd conversion build
 
Keep the pics coming Nav, looking good so far!

C130Nav 01-04-2023 09:56 PM

Re: 1971 2wd to 4wd conversion build
 
Smitty,

The rear body mounts are different in truck VS. 'Burb. I'm looking for 4wd 'burb body mounts for the #4 position(above the front leaf spring mount) forward of the rear axle. Since you won't be using them when mounting the Longhorn bed, I'll buy them from you when you remove them. Let me know

C130Nav 01-04-2023 10:02 PM

Re: 1971 2wd to 4wd conversion build
 
2 Attachment(s)
Pass rocker complete; rotted cowl spot repaired. Damn critters...🤣

BAD1916 01-06-2023 01:49 AM

Re: 1971 2wd to 4wd conversion build
 
Glad you saved that. Looks too clean to have been cut up for a crew cab. I like the direction that you are taking this. Will follow along for sure.

Warrens69GMC 01-06-2023 08:59 AM

Re: 1971 2wd to 4wd conversion build
 
Good job!

C130Nav 01-08-2023 04:33 PM

Re: 1971 2wd to 4wd conversion build
 
5 Attachment(s)
Spent some "nasty time" on my back with a pressure pot sandblaster, doing some underfloor cleanup. Still need to get under there and touch up some areas again this week, but looking pretty clean so far.

C130Nav 01-08-2023 04:41 PM

Re: 1971 2wd to 4wd conversion build
 
3 Attachment(s)
More underfloor cleanup; qtr panel rot on pass side behind 3rd door; and pass floorboard all cleaned up.

LockDoc 01-08-2023 05:29 PM

Re: 1971 2wd to 4wd conversion build
 
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That thing still looks pretty clean. It would be nice to find one like that around here....

LockDoc

HO455 01-11-2023 01:56 PM

Re: 1971 2wd to 4wd conversion build
 
Great work! I for one are very glad you saved it.

I'm pretty sure Flynavy30 will be following your progress.

C130Nav 01-13-2023 07:27 PM

Re: 1971 2wd to 4wd conversion build
 
4 Attachment(s)
Found a full front sway bar setup off a late 70s square body to install. After sandblasting crossmember and swaybar, got it all mocked up and positioned in place. Had to redrill new holes into the frame for the new crossmember and swaybar mounting brackets. Now to order new bushings all around, and get it all repainted. Will no doubt have to modify the original style front brake lines, due to different mounting angle of new crossmember.

$50 well spent 👍

71meangreenc10 01-13-2023 09:09 PM

Re: 1971 2wd to 4wd conversion build
 
Quote:

Originally Posted by C130Nav (Post 9163091)
Smitty,

The rear body mounts are different in truck VS. 'Burb. I'm looking for 4wd 'burb body mounts for the #4 position(above the front leaf spring mount) forward of the rear axle. Since you won't be using them when mounting the Longhorn bed, I'll buy them from you when you remove them. Let me know

My bad,
I was saying I was converting a 2wd Longhorn to 4WD with a suspension from a 72 Burb. I'm using the Longhorn frame and it is already leafs in the back. The whole front with mounts came off the Burb.

My buddy is doing a conversion and I will see what brackets he is not using.

Smitty

C130Nav 02-07-2023 10:15 PM

Re: 1971 2wd to 4wd conversion build
 
3 Attachment(s)
Been a few weeks since last worked on the truck.

Got the section between 3rd door and rear wheel replaced. Just the outer panel was swiss cheesy.

Patch panel fit reasonably well; but lower contour was more curved than original. Had to make some relief cuts to make it match 3rd door rocker contour.

C130Nav 02-07-2023 10:23 PM

Re: 1971 2wd to 4wd conversion build
 
5 Attachment(s)
Sandblasted and painted inner quarter area. Relief cuts on front of patch made it line up with rocker nicely. Welded up patch, ground it down flush, ready for a skim coat to blend in the two panels.

C130Nav 02-07-2023 10:30 PM

Re: 1971 2wd to 4wd conversion build
 
2 Attachment(s)
Next up is right rear quarter. Lots of little swiss cheese holes to fix; especially around the reverse light area. Good thing the patch panels cover that area. Didnt get the triangular rear inner patches, but will probably have to replace those as well. Wont know til old lower quarter is cut away

LockDoc 02-07-2023 11:51 PM

Re: 1971 2wd to 4wd conversion build
 
-
Lookin' good so far....

LockDoc

C130Nav 02-09-2023 08:32 PM

Re: 1971 2wd to 4wd conversion build
 
3 Attachment(s)
Cut away the bad part of the passenger side rear qtr. Still have to trim patch panel, and cut away bad reverse light area. Then sandblast away the rust, prime and paint inner qtr arwa. Will probably take out spare tire well out afterwards and blast/repaint it.

BAD1916 02-11-2023 07:06 PM

Re: 1971 2wd to 4wd conversion build
 
Nice work

C130Nav 02-25-2023 07:47 PM

Re: 1971 2wd to 4wd conversion build
 
5 Attachment(s)
Sandblasting and coating the understructure.

C130Nav 02-25-2023 07:53 PM

Re: 1971 2wd to 4wd conversion build
 
5 Attachment(s)
Fitting, cutting and rewelding of patch panel.

PS. It doesnt fit well around the rear area of qtr near the tailight.

C130Nav 02-25-2023 07:57 PM

Re: 1971 2wd to 4wd conversion build
 
4 Attachment(s)
Still have to fab patches around the tailight area

HO455 04-25-2023 03:53 PM

Re: 1971 2wd to 4wd conversion build
 
Great work. I'm glad to see that things are progressing.

Dieselwrencher 04-28-2023 05:41 AM

Re: 1971 2wd to 4wd conversion build
 
Very nice burb you saved and nice rust repair work! On the 4x4 swap, did the 2wd e brake cable mounts interfere with your shackle mount positions?

C130Nav 05-01-2023 09:08 PM

Re: 1971 2wd to 4wd conversion build
 
Quote:

Originally Posted by Dieselwrencher (Post 9200033)
Very nice burb you saved and nice rust repair work! On the 4x4 swap, did the 2wd e brake cable mounts interfere with your shackle mount positions?

Thanks!

Haven't gotten that far yet...

C130Nav 05-30-2023 09:03 PM

Re: 1971 2wd to 4wd conversion build
 
5 Attachment(s)
More rust repair work done. Driver's side rocker panel. Luckily the inner rocker didnt need anything other than a good sandblasting, and a few pinholes welded up. Front and rear of new rocker needed some massaging to fit; but overall an easy job.

C130Nav 05-30-2023 09:11 PM

Re: 1971 2wd to 4wd conversion build
 
2 Attachment(s)
Front part of left quarter panel repaired. Had to weld a patch for inner quarter. I'm really amazed at how much dirt gets packed up inside these rockers and quarter panels. Not sure how it makes it's way inside, but it sure gets in there.

LockDoc 05-31-2023 08:12 AM

Re: 1971 2wd to 4wd conversion build
 
Quote:

Originally Posted by C130Nav (Post 9208253)
Front part of left quarter panel repaired. Had to welding a patch for inner quarter. I'm really amazed at how much dirt gets packed up inside these rockers and quarter panels. Not sure how it makes it's way inside, but it sure gets in there.


Rocker is looking good.

My Panel Truck is starting to rust in front of the rear wheel wells and has some dirt, mud, and other junk packed in there. I'm not sure how it gets in there either but I need to get it cleaned out.

LockDoc

C130Nav 05-31-2023 02:12 PM

Re: 1971 2wd to 4wd conversion build
 
4 Attachment(s)
Decided to redo the right side front rocker panel. Making a truck rocker fit a burb took some cutting and fabbing around the B pillar area. But its done; and doesnt look all that bad. In hindsight, I think it would be easier to cut the truck rocker vertically just forward of the 'burb specific B pillar area, and weld a vertical seam down the rocker...

LockDoc 05-31-2023 04:31 PM

Re: 1971 2wd to 4wd conversion build
 
Quote:

Originally Posted by C130Nav (Post 9208405)
Decided to redo the right side front rocker panel. Making a truck rocker fit a burb took some cutting and fabbing around the B pillar area. But its done; and doesnt look all that bad. In hindsight, I think it would be easier to cut the truck rocker vertically just forward of the 'burb specific B pillar area, and weld a vertical seam down the rocker...


I thought they made rockers for the suburbans?

LockDooc

C130Nav 05-31-2023 08:36 PM

Re: 1971 2wd to 4wd conversion build
 
Quote:

Originally Posted by LockDoc (Post 9208440)
I thought they made rockers for the suburbans?

LockDooc

They do for the 3rd door; and it fit pretty well; but dont think they make a right front rocker for the 'burb. If they do, then I messed up and ordered a truck rocker by mistake. Sure made more work for me. The driver side rocker seemed to be same as C10

KFF 1 06-09-2023 03:59 PM

Re: 1971 2wd to 4wd conversion build
 
Quote:

Originally Posted by C130Nav (Post 9208484)
They do for the 3rd door; and it fit pretty well; but dont think they make a right front rocker for the 'burb. If they do, then I messed up and ordered a truck rocker by mistake. Sure made more work for me. The driver side rocker seemed to be same as C10

I had the same issue with the right side rocker. Used the C-10 rocker and had to fab the Burb pieces in back at the B-pillar. Also had to use C-10 B-pillar and modified it to make the B-pillar for the Burb.

C130Nav 06-10-2023 05:43 PM

Re: 1971 2wd to 4wd conversion build
 
Was lucky that the B pillar was solid; with just a little surface rust. A pass with the sandblaster cleaned it all up nicely.

CG 01-27-2024 02:13 PM

Re: 1971 2wd to 4wd conversion build
 
How is this project coming along?

CDA 455 04-23-2024 10:02 AM

Re: 1971 2wd to 4wd conversion build
 
Quote:

Originally Posted by C130Nav (Post 9211237)
Was lucky that the B pillar was solid; with just a little surface rust. A pass with the sandblaster cleaned it all up nicely.

Sub'd:metal:

Any updates?:D


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