Gene's shorty 4x4 conversion
 

Well, here's my progress so far.... Got the diy4x front brackets installed, and am 90% finished with the front suspension. Moving to the back now, got deals for some GMC brackets and springs, along with some 4 inch lift blocks in the works!

Re: Gene's shorty 4x4 conversion
 

are you using 52's in the front or stock length springs?

Re: Gene's shorty 4x4 conversion
 

52's although I havent installed all 5 leafs, because of my limited u-bolt length.

Re: Gene's shorty 4x4 conversion
 

So you are putting 2wd spring hangers and shackle mounts on the rear of your truck. was your truck originally coil rear? beacuse I am doing a 4wd conversion as well and heard that the frames were the same for leaf and coil trucks and that I could use the hangers off a 2wd leaf truck on mine but I wasnt sure.

Re: Gene's shorty 4x4 conversion
 

well, you are on your way to being a shortie 4x4 owner. Keep up the work, it will pay off. Trevor

Re: Gene's shorty 4x4 conversion
 

Well, plans have changed. Found a 4x4 SWB rolling chassis with dana44 front and 12 bolt rear. I will be using this instead of the 2wd converted frame. The PO must have had a flatbed welded to it in the past because of all the crasy welds on the mounts, i've been spending the past couple of weeks out in the 190 degree heat working on this thing!!! Getting ready for blasting and powdercoating. Wish me luck!

Re: Gene's shorty 4x4 conversion
 

From all I have read(please someone correct me if i'm wrong) these should allow you to run leafs on a coil frame.

PM sent, I have these parts listed on the parts board seeing as how I no longer need them.;)

Re: Gene's shorty 4x4 conversion
 

Well, just got her back from powdercoating. I am very pleased with the results! It's a little dusty but you get the idea. Can't wait to get the lines run and get started installing the suspension so I can get it on the ground.:metal:

I'm on dial up or i'd put more pictures up ;)

Re: Gene's shorty 4x4 conversion
 

Looks good!!! How much did the sand blasting and powdercoating cost you?

Re: Gene's shorty 4x4 conversion
 

It was really reasonable, compared with sandblasting/painting. I have 400 bucks in the sandblasting/powdercoating. I am very pleased that I went in this direction. I just finished installing all new brake and fuel lines I got from inlinetube.com.

Re: Gene's shorty 4x4 conversion
 

Here's a few with the new lines ran.

Re: Gene's shorty 4x4 conversion
 

Can you post a couple of pics of the rear section of the frame by the spring mounts? Im curious about how short the frame is for the bumper on a real SWB frame. I was considering cutting down a LWB frame.

Re: Gene's shorty 4x4 conversion
 

Here you go, do you need a measurement from the bracket to the end of the frame?

Re: Gene's shorty 4x4 conversion
 

Cool I appreciate it. Yeah if i could get some measurements that would be great too. Im still pondering weather to just go LWB or Build a SWB out of my 2WD frame or Cut Down a LWB to a SWB. I have all one ton running gear and new springs and everything I just need a decent frame as mine is all jacked up. 2nd Problem is I have a nice Short bed also. If i didnt have the bed I would go LWB in a heartbeat. Oh well decisions decisions.

Re: Gene's shorty 4x4 conversion
 

Looks like 4 inches 7/16th. Lemme know if you need any more measurements.

Re: Gene's shorty 4x4 conversion
 

love the SWB 4x4's...

monte0185, There are multiple threads on cutting down frames, I know they take 8" and 12" out, but not sure which is middle and which is rear. Be sure that your welding is up to snuff if you go that route. I need to get back to work on mine.. this weekend is garage cleaning..

Re: Gene's shorty 4x4 conversion
 

12 under the cab and 8 off the back ;)

Re: Gene's shorty 4x4 conversion
 

how did the inline tube work out? mine are still in a box

Re: Gene's shorty 4x4 conversion
 

I have read every thread I can find but I have not seen any 4 wheel drive ones. I read something on the two wheel drive ones about the leaf spring perch interfears with cutting 8 off the back. Welding isnt really a problem. been welding since i was like 12. Dad was a certified welder and taught me. He also was an underwater welder. That would have been interesting. but anyway. Im gonna find out next weekend for sure when i pickup my long frame. Sorry for hijacking your thread. Looks great. keep up the great work.

Re: Gene's shorty 4x4 conversion
 

Overall they fit pretty well, I messed up and ordered a set for a 71 and my frame is a 72, there is a difference. The rear where the line that runs along the frame bends down and attaches to a bracket on the frame, evidently 71 didnt have that bracket??? So I will have to run a short line to there with a union. But up front everything fit nice.

Re: Gene's shorty 4x4 conversion
 

you might be able to find someone with that bracket...

Re: Gene's shorty 4x4 conversion
 

The 72 has the bracket attached to the frame with rivets, here's what i'm working with

Re: Gene's shorty 4x4 conversion
 

you already powdercoated the frame didn't you? If not you could just make this little angle bracket like my 68 has.

http://i211.photobucket.com/albums/b...4/photo-16.jpg

Re: Gene's shorty 4x4 conversion
 

Yep, already powdercoated it. I think i'll just extend the line down to the bracket, because i'm lifting it and that way the rubber line will for sure reach the main line.

Re: Gene's shorty 4x4 conversion
 

Here's a couple of updated pics of my project. The garage is an absolute mess, I had the truck sitting on sawhorses, but the suspension proved to be more than it could handle so now it's sitting on the floor waiting on my new BF Goodrich 35 inch Mud terrain KM2's. As soon as they arrive I will get to work on trying to locate a body shop near me that specializes in these old trucks!

Re: Gene's shorty 4x4 conversion
 

looking good.

Re: Gene's shorty 4x4 conversion
 

Gene, I am not sure on this, can you run an automatic front end with a np205??? I wasn't for sure on that. Trevor

Re: Gene's shorty 4x4 conversion
 

I am not sure either, is the 205 any different than the 208? I think the only difference is that the hubs lock automatically when the transfer case is engaged and they unlock when you reverse a few feet. Anyone know if I will have a problem?

Got this information from Off-road.com:

NP205

The NP205 is a gear driven part time transfer case. It can be operated in either two or four wheel drive. The overall length of the NP205 case is 12"-13" from the face of the case to the rear output yoke's center on fixed yoke models. The shift positions of the NP203 are as follows from the most forward position (towards the engine) to the rear most position: Four Wheel Drive Low Range, Neutral, Two Wheel Drive High Range, Four Wheel Drive High Range When in Two Wheel Drive, the NP205 does not turn the front driveshaft.

The NP205 has a high range of 1.00:1 and a low range of 1.96:1 The front axle uses either manual or automatic locking hubs in combination with the NP205. Unlocking the hubs in two wheel drive save wear on the front axle shafts. The speedometer cable connects to the NP205 in the general are of the top center of the rear of the case. The NP205 has fill hole for lubrication in the rear face of the case under the rear output shaft. The drain plug for the NP205 is on the rear face of the case on the lowest part of the case.

The NP205 uses 80w-90 gear oil for lubrication The NP205 has a three bolt cover over the idler shaft. This is one of the identifiable traits of the NP205. The shift linkage of the NP205 Is not adjustable. It operates on a simple lever with few parts. The NP205 case is one piece of cast iron. All of the working parts are in this single housing. The identification tag of the NP205 is located above the front driveshaft output The NP205 was available from 1973 to 1991.


My differentials are from a 1991 suburban



NP208

The NP208 is a chain driven part time transfer case. It can be operated in either two or four wheel drive. The overall length of the NP208 case is 12"-13" from the face of the case to the rear output yoke's center on fixed yoke models.

The shift positions of the NP208 are as follows from the most forward position (towards the engine) to the rear most position: Two Wheel Drive High Range, Four Wheel Drive High Range, Neutral, Four Wheel Drive Low Range The NP208 shift pattern is not straight forward, it has to be pulled to the side and back to enter four wheel drive low range mode.

When in Two Wheel Drive, the NP208 does not turn the front driveshaft. The NP208 has a high range of 1.00:1 and a low range of 2.61:1 The front axle uses either manual or automatic locking hubs in combination with the NP208.

Unlocking the hubs in two wheel drive save wear on the front axle shafts. The NP208 uses automatic transmission fluid for lubrication The shift linkage of the NP208 is adjustable. Most manuals for appropriate year trucks will have instructions on how to adjust it properly. The NP205 case uses an aluminum case The identification tag of the NP20 8 is located on the rear face of the case The NP208 was available from 1981 to 1987.

Re: Gene's shorty 4x4 conversion
 

Few more pics after I got it on the ground, I wasnt sure i'd like the BFG's as much as the Goodyear MTR but they sure have grown on me.

Re: Gene's shorty 4x4 conversion
 

Gene those BFG's look good. The frame looks good too. Keep up the good work.

Re: Gene's shorty 4x4 conversion
 

Thanks, could'nt have even thought about getting this far without the help of this board and it's members.

Re: Gene's shorty 4x4 conversion
 

Any particular reason you chose those KTM's over the MTR's?

Re: Gene's shorty 4x4 conversion
 

You could always install lockouts on the front axle. I don't think it will matter but you might get .5mpg better with them unlocked. Then the front driveshaft won't turn while in 2WD and slowly wear on more parts at the same time.

looks nice, I like those tires.

Re: Gene's shorty 4x4 conversion
 

Availability, every place locally and even on the net are on national backorder. I actually planned on running them in the beginning anyways until I saw I think your truck with the goodyears. But oh well, I like the BFG's pretty well.

Re: Gene's shorty 4x4 conversion
 

Not sure if I understand what youre saying? Are you saying that the auto hubs make the driveshaft turn in 2wd? Because the only time they engage is when I hand turn the input. When I was pushing the truck out they freewheeled?

Re: Gene's shorty 4x4 conversion
 

It's looking great:metal: your half way there. Keep up the good work!!!

Re: Gene's shorty 4x4 conversion
 

Installed my drivetrain this weekend with the help of dad, as you can see in these shots, I am working with limited tools and space. My wife will be happy when i'm done so she can have our 2 car garage back(still havent figured out where i'm going to park this thing when its done because it sure wont fit in the garage!)

I put my old motor back in because it only had around 25000 miles, but the transmission had do be rebuilt because I had the shaft replace because it came out of my 2wd truck, and I had my guy go through the transfer case also.

Re: Gene's shorty 4x4 conversion
 

great reason for a new garage then!

Re: Gene's shorty 4x4 conversion
 

Gene, looking sharp bud. Won't be long before the the fun stuff. By the way, your tow hooks are backwards. Trevor

Re: Gene's shorty 4x4 conversion
 

Great progress Gene.