2 wheel drive to 4 wheel drive

[towjoe]

I'm in process of considering building a 4X4 crew cab wrecker. I have a 86 6.2 diesel 4x4 wrecker that the rear frame is shot in. I have a real clean 86 C30 crew cab I have been driving daily. I do have a 81 K35 6.2 crew cab dually over in the parts row to.

Has anyone tried the 4wd swap yet and have any advice on my best route to go? I have been thinking about the crew cab wrecker Idea for awhile now since it seems more and more people are getting stranded with more than 2 people in a car. figured the 6.2 would be econamical unlike a 454 also

 

[HotRodPC]

Lots of people have asked about it, but noone has gone through with it. Or, if they did, they didn't post up about it. I know it can be done, but's it's a **** ton or work and we've yet to have a 2wd to 4wd conversion thread, other than doing some cab swaps to 4x4 frames already set up. Which is the easiest and best way IMO.
I did recently see a thread somewhere where a guy did a frame chop conversion. His rear portion of the K frame was rusted out bad. So he cut the front off a 2wd frame and welded in the front section of the 4x4 frame.

 

[towjoe]

Yea I seen on here somewhere a guy converted a suburban by splicing frame. I'm just not sure about scratch building another wrecker tho, I ended up over $8500 in last one. I think the idea would be a cool one tho. I guess tho I have 2 crew cab 4x4 frames in fence row so that might be best route. Just thought if it was easy to do I'd save the other frames for other projects

 

[bucket]

If the C20 Burb doesn't sell, I'll likely convert to 4x4. My plan was to buy everything new to save work and time involved. B52 front spring hangers, HD front upper shackle bushing/mounts, pre-fabbed engine crossmember, crossover steering, and 2.5 rear shackle flip. Only used parts I would have to source/remove would be the front spring hangers at the rear of the truck. Oh, and a front axle. Already have a th400/np205 in the garage.

 

[HotRodPC]

If the C20 Burb doesn't sell, I'll likely convert to 4x4. My plan was to buy everything new to save work and time involved. B52 front spring hangers, HD front upper shackle bushing/mounts, pre-fabbed engine crossmember, crossover steering, and 2.5 rear shackle flip. Only used parts I would have to source/remove would be the front spring hangers at the rear of the truck. Oh, and a front axle. Already have a th400/np205 in the garage.

Don't let me find out that NP205 is a Round Pattern.

 

[towjoe]

Bucket are you saying the frames are similar enought to adapt the 4wd front under them?

Another idea was all these guys are straight axle converting the newer independent front 4x4s. I wonder how similar the convertion is there to a 2wd square to 4wd?

 

[bucket]

Bucket are you saying the frames are similar enought to adapt the 4wd front under them?

Another idea was all these guys are straight axle converting the newer independent front 4x4s. I wonder how similar the convertion is there to a 2wd square to 4wd?

Yeah, they are very similar. Often a few minor differences here and there, but nothing that can't be overcome. I've seen the swap done in a few other build threads elsewhere on the internet, looks like it's mostly a bunch of measuring and drilling. And cutting frame rivets, but only half as much if using new parts.

 

[bucket]

Don't let me find out that NP205 is a Round Pattern.

Racetrack

 

[HotRodPC]

Racetrack

Thank God, or you'd be packing it up shipping it to me. I've still got the racetrack Th350/NP205 and I think I'm finding a way to use that with a 700r4. I just really don't see the need though when I have 3 NP208's 2 of which are for the 700r4, the other for the A833. I mean really, is a 700r4 going to be strong enough to tear up an NP208? I figured the trans would break first, and then I'd also be giving up a much better crawl ratio in the NP208. I just want a round pattern NP205 for the NPA833 project someday.

 

[towjoe]

Just remember the 208's are sting enough they put them behind th400 in the military trucks

 

[HotRodPC]

Just remember the 208's are sting enough they put them behind th400 in the military trucks

Yeah, there OK for light to moderate use, and why I can't really see using this NP205 on a 700r4. And if I did, I'd have to shorten my rear shaft, and lengthen the front one. The trick is using the same Th350 spacer used to convert from 700r4 to Th350, use that spacer and cut an inch off the 700r4 output shaft, then use the spline coupler in the NP205 adapter and there you go. Now have a NP205 behind a 700r4. I just can't justify the expense of the shaft modifications, and also need to tweak the NP205 shifter a bit too cuz it moved the NP205 back 2 more inches and the shifter is then up against the seat and you can't get all your Tcase gears.

 

[elstm3]

This weekend i got all the stock brackets for the front frame so i will be starting the c30 to k30 conversion here in a week or so after i get my parts truck out of the garage. I will be updating my build thread with pics shortly.

 

[towjoe]

This weekend i got all the stock brackets for the front frame so i will be starting the c30 to k30 conversion here in a week or so after i get my parts truck out of the garage. I will be updating my build thread with pics shortly.

look forward to following it !!!!

 

[Luis of EP]

Im looking to do the same thing with my trucks only things im missing are the GM 10 bolt front axle 4.10 gears and a adapter to my TH400 to fit the NP208 that i have.
The 10 bolt is only being used till a good D60 comes out where i live.
I also am looking to make a lift so i can do the all the work properly. But from what i been looking its all bolt on and off from the 2 trucks.

 

[elstm3]

well the brackets dont bolt off. they are riveted to the frame, so that takes a while to get all the brackets off. Other than that its not bad. I am using a D44 front for now in my C30 conversion.