2 wheel drive to 4 wheel drive

[Luis of EP]

The question i have is didn't GM use a 10bolt on the front axles for the 3/4 tons stock?

 

[elstm3]

Oh, yes they did, same thing as the 6 lug axle with different hubs and brakes. I will be converting mine from 6 to 8 lug.

 

[Luis of EP]

So could i use the braking system off my 87 4x2 on the front axle that i would like the put on it? with the 6bolt? the current pattern is 12? i gotta double check

 

[elstm3]

Sorry 6 lug (1/2 ton) front axle, and i am unsure if the front calipers from a 4x2 would fit on a front 4x4 axle. I will have to look at some part numbers and ect.

 

[elstm3]

the part numbers for the front calipers are the same between the 2wd and 4wd year and model for your pickup so you could use the calipers but i am sure the rotors would be diffrent.

 

[Luis of EP]

Could i possible swap the rotors as well?

 

[elstm3]

possibly but the part numbers i found were not a match. so its possible but i think unlikely. and rotors are fairly inexpensive.

 

[smurph20]

No rotors for a 4x2 have bearings in the middle that ride on the spindle and 4x4 rotors ride on the hub that rides on bearings. Calipers and pads will be the same rotors wont.

 

[chevydude]

I think I am going to try to do the conversion. I have a 2 wd chevy crewcab that i want to convert to 4wd. I also plan on cutting it down and and makeing it a short bed.

 

[HotRodPC]

If you're into frame cutting and mending, then I'd say the easiest way will be to cut the front of the frame off and weld the 4x4 frame on. I've seen a Burb done that way. It's alot easier to do that than measure all those holes. The motor mounts go in the truck are different too from 2wd to 4wd.
BUT, is the 4x4 Donor a 1 ton too? Not sure if the frames are different that far forward, but the 1 tons do have taller frame rails in many areas. So before you go hacking, make sure of that first. I honestly don't know that part. Not sure if Pops got rid of it yet, but had a 1 ton 4x4 Standard Cab Frame for sale not long ago in MO.

 

[kleedus]

i just cut my crew to a short bed i posted a couple pics in my build thread

http://www.gmsquarebody.com/forum/showthread.php?t=2329

i would avoid cutting the front frame if all possible you will already have one cut and reweld on the back for the short bed swap. if you hack off the front and weld on another i think that would not be a good thing


i want to do the opposite to my 90 jimmy i want to make it a two wheel drive.

if you need the 4x4 brakets i have a full set from a 81 and up frame

 

[elstm3]

I am finishing this very same coversion right now. after i finish the rear i will be posting up some pics and later a write up of how i did it.

 

[chevydude]

I am finishing this very same coversion right now. after i finish the rear i will be posting up some pics and later a write up of how i did it.

Did you do a 2wd to a 4wd conversion.

 

[elstm3]

yep i have a 88 2wd crew cab 1 ton srw. that is now 75% done with a 4wd conversion. its getting a 6 inch lift 37" military goodyears and humvee bead locks. the pic i posted is the front frame after i put the weight of the truck on it with stock 31" tires.

tonight i am converting my fornt d44 to 8 lug.

 

[chevydude]

yep i have a 88 2wd crew cab 1 ton srw. that is now 75% done with a 4wd conversion. its getting a 6 inch lift 37" military goodyears and humvee bead locks. the pic i posted is the front frame after i put the weight of the truck on it with stock 31" tires.

tonight i am converting my fornt d44 to 8 lug.

How hard was the conversion.