2wd to 4wd - The 1947 - Present Chevrolet & GMC Truck Message Board Network

2birds40 · 04-13-2004, 12:33 AM

hi guys and gals great site i have a 86 2wd pickup that i want to convert to 4wd other than axle and transfer case what else do i need to complete this and can my current 700r4 be used or will i need a different one

Prerunner1982 · 04-13-2004, 01:04 AM

stroll on over to the suspension forum, and search back a few pages, there have been a few 2wd to 4wd threads.. good luck. BUT if you cant find it check back here and we will help ya out.

2birds40 · 04-13-2004, 01:40 AM

ok i looked back 14 pages and didnt find anything can some one help me out on where to look for info or let me now what i got to get and do to get this project rolling thanks in advance

*1972C10* · 04-13-2004, 02:08 AM

You will have to have the front crossmember for the 4WD , You would also need to get either another trans or have a differnet output shaft put on yours 4WD's Use a short output shaft the transmission crossmemebr is different "I belive"

Steering GearBox Is different , All the leaf spring stuff for the front you would need that.

Russell · 04-13-2004, 02:14 AM

The easiest way to do it would be to get a 4x4 truck version of your truck with a nasty body and a blown engine, then drop your body and engine on instead...

2birds40 · 04-13-2004, 02:28 AM

yeah i thougt about getting a different frame but can't seem to find any i also have a 14bolt and 60 sitting here so i decided to just go this route so after rounding up all the parts do they just bolt in or what i would like to get started real soon so as much info as i can get would be great

Russell · 04-13-2004, 03:22 AM

Ok, I don't know much about this (never seen it done, or done it myself) and I'm not saying that I'm right about what I am about to say, but here goes:

From what I have hear, you need to have ALL of the front suspension components, axle, steering setup, leaf springs & brackets etc, you also need the 4x4 crossmember. You then need to remove everything from, and including, the transmission crossmember up. You need to do some measuring and alignment stuff to be sure that you will be bolting the 4x4 stuff up properly. After you're done this, you gotta drill some holes in your frame so you can bolt the 4x4 crossmember, and transmission crossmember up.

You then need the custom driveshafts (unless you did a very good measuring job) and I'm sure a ton of other little things none of us will know about unless we are doing the job. Also may have some clearance issues with stuff like headers and such.

By far it would be much easier to find yourself a 4x4 frame, and just take those components that you already have and put them in if they are better than the components on the new frame, and sell the rest to help pay the frame off.

I'm sure that there are at least a couple of these old trucks in a 4x4 version around there somewhere

Check all the wrecking yards and classifieds. I'm sure you'd be saving yourself a lot of headache going that path rather than trying to do a conversion.

*1FaastC10* · 04-13-2004, 03:25 AM

Dana 60s are overrated, i'll trade you a pair of 10 bolts for it.

i'm in the process of doing the same with my C10. not only did i want to go from 2wd to 4wd, but from LWB to SWB too. i just bought a parts truck.

2birds40 · 04-13-2004, 08:46 AM

thanks guys so in a nut shell i just take everything from a 4x4 and bolt it to my frame after alling and drilling all the holes 1fastc10 i will have to pass but was tempted is there any unexpected things you have run into and why is there problems with headers arent the frames the same in size

Russell · 04-13-2004, 10:22 AM

It has something to do with the 4x4 crossmember that messes things up...

Prerunner1982 · 04-13-2004, 03:32 PM

http://67-72chevytrucks.com/vboard/s...threadid=97788

there is the other thread, it was in 4x4 not suspension.. DOH!

2birds40 · 04-13-2004, 04:07 PM

ok but they are talking about the 67-72 trucks are the frames the same as ours are if so i have a 67 4wd frame sitting here i could use but i was under the impression the it was a completly different breed of dog

Prerunner1982 · 04-13-2004, 04:21 PM

it maybe, but the idea is still the same.

*1FaastC10* · 04-13-2004, 05:52 PM

AFAIK, the headers will not work. i think the 4x4 headers mount differently, putting the collectors further inboard to clear the shackle bolts. i think trans/case crossmembers are slightly different too, so you may have problems with clearance and where the collectors exit.

2birds40 · 04-13-2004, 06:15 PM

so i can install 4x4 headers just not 2wd headers

04-13-2004, 12:33 AM	#1
2birds40 Registered User Join Date: Apr 2004 Location: new york Posts: 26	2wd to 4wd hi guys and gals great site i have a 86 2wd pickup that i want to convert to 4wd other than axle and transfer case what else do i need to complete this and can my current 700r4 be used or will i need a different one

04-13-2004, 01:04 AM	#2
Prerunner1982 Registered User Join Date: Oct 2002 Location: Edmond, OK Posts: 5,906	stroll on over to the suspension forum, and search back a few pages, there have been a few 2wd to 4wd threads.. good luck. BUT if you cant find it check back here and we will help ya out. __________________ Jon 1982 Chevy Silverado 350/th350.... RETIRED 1993 Jeep XJ 2 door(Cherokee) 4wd 4.0ltr/AX-15 (5spd)/NP231 .... Oklahoma Roll Call

04-13-2004, 02:14 AM	#5
Russell Professional Grade Join Date: May 2003 Location: Fort McMurray, Alberta Posts: 7,915	The easiest way to do it would be to get a 4x4 truck version of your truck with a nasty body and a blown engine, then drop your body and engine on instead... __________________ 1995 Chevrolet 2 Door Tahoe (6.6L LBZ Duramax / ZF6 / NP241 with 1 ton solid axle swap)

04-13-2004, 03:22 AM	#7
Russell Professional Grade Join Date: May 2003 Location: Fort McMurray, Alberta Posts: 7,915	Ok, I don't know much about this (never seen it done, or done it myself) and I'm not saying that I'm right about what I am about to say, but here goes: From what I have hear, you need to have ALL of the front suspension components, axle, steering setup, leaf springs & brackets etc, you also need the 4x4 crossmember. You then need to remove everything from, and including, the transmission crossmember up. You need to do some measuring and alignment stuff to be sure that you will be bolting the 4x4 stuff up properly. After you're done this, you gotta drill some holes in your frame so you can bolt the 4x4 crossmember, and transmission crossmember up. You then need the custom driveshafts (unless you did a very good measuring job) and I'm sure a ton of other little things none of us will know about unless we are doing the job. Also may have some clearance issues with stuff like headers and such. By far it would be much easier to find yourself a 4x4 frame, and just take those components that you already have and put them in if they are better than the components on the new frame, and sell the rest to help pay the frame off. I'm sure that there are at least a couple of these old trucks in a 4x4 version around there somewhere Check all the wrecking yards and classifieds. I'm sure you'd be saving yourself a lot of headache going that path rather than trying to do a conversion. __________________ 1995 Chevrolet 2 Door Tahoe (6.6L LBZ Duramax / ZF6 / NP241 with 1 ton solid axle swap) Last edited by Russell; 04-13-2004 at 03:24 AM.

04-13-2004, 10:22 AM	#10
Russell Professional Grade Join Date: May 2003 Location: Fort McMurray, Alberta Posts: 7,915	It has something to do with the 4x4 crossmember that messes things up... __________________ 1995 Chevrolet 2 Door Tahoe (6.6L LBZ Duramax / ZF6 / NP241 with 1 ton solid axle swap)

04-13-2004, 01:40 AM	#3
2birds40 Registered User Join Date: Apr 2004 Location: new york Posts: 26	ok i looked back 14 pages and didnt find anything can some one help me out on where to look for info or let me now what i got to get and do to get this project rolling thanks in advance

04-13-2004, 02:08 AM	#4
1972C10 Account Suspended Join Date: Dec 2003 Location: Texas Posts: 2,686	You will have to have the front crossmember for the 4WD , You would also need to get either another trans or have a differnet output shaft put on yours 4WD's Use a short output shaft the transmission crossmemebr is different "I belive" Steering GearBox Is different , All the leaf spring stuff for the front you would need that.

04-13-2004, 02:28 AM	#6
2birds40 Registered User Join Date: Apr 2004 Location: new york Posts: 26	yeah i thougt about getting a different frame but can't seem to find any i also have a 14bolt and 60 sitting here so i decided to just go this route so after rounding up all the parts do they just bolt in or what i would like to get started real soon so as much info as i can get would be great

04-13-2004, 03:25 AM	#8
1FaastC10 Account Suspended Join Date: Oct 2002 Location: Elkhart, IN Posts: 6,400	Dana 60s are overrated, i'll trade you a pair of 10 bolts for it. i'm in the process of doing the same with my C10. not only did i want to go from 2wd to 4wd, but from LWB to SWB too. i just bought a parts truck.

04-13-2004, 08:46 AM	#9
2birds40 Registered User Join Date: Apr 2004 Location: new york Posts: 26	thanks guys so in a nut shell i just take everything from a 4x4 and bolt it to my frame after alling and drilling all the holes 1fastc10 i will have to pass but was tempted is there any unexpected things you have run into and why is there problems with headers arent the frames the same in size

04-13-2004, 03:32 PM	#11
Prerunner1982 Registered User Join Date: Oct 2002 Location: Edmond, OK Posts: 5,906	http://67-72chevytrucks.com/vboard/s...threadid=97788 there is the other thread, it was in 4x4 not suspension.. DOH! __________________ Jon 1982 Chevy Silverado 350/th350.... RETIRED 1993 Jeep XJ 2 door(Cherokee) 4wd 4.0ltr/AX-15 (5spd)/NP231 .... Oklahoma Roll Call

04-13-2004, 04:07 PM	#12
2birds40 Registered User Join Date: Apr 2004 Location: new york Posts: 26	ok but they are talking about the 67-72 trucks are the frames the same as ours are if so i have a 67 4wd frame sitting here i could use but i was under the impression the it was a completly different breed of dog

04-13-2004, 04:21 PM	#13
Prerunner1982 Registered User Join Date: Oct 2002 Location: Edmond, OK Posts: 5,906	it maybe, but the idea is still the same. __________________ Jon 1982 Chevy Silverado 350/th350.... RETIRED 1993 Jeep XJ 2 door(Cherokee) 4wd 4.0ltr/AX-15 (5spd)/NP231 .... Oklahoma Roll Call

04-13-2004, 05:52 PM	#14
1FaastC10 Account Suspended Join Date: Oct 2002 Location: Elkhart, IN Posts: 6,400	AFAIK, the headers will not work. i think the 4x4 headers mount differently, putting the collectors further inboard to clear the shackle bolts. i think trans/case crossmembers are slightly different too, so you may have problems with clearance and where the collectors exit.

04-13-2004, 06:15 PM	#15
2birds40 Registered User Join Date: Apr 2004 Location: new york Posts: 26	so i can install 4x4 headers just not 2wd headers



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