4X2 to 4X4

[Melborn]

Hi. All through the 1990s I drove a 1983 GMC 1/2 ton 4X4 and now,2 trucks later,one 97 GMC and sorry to say,one 04 ford I want to go back to a squarebody. I recently bought a 1987 3/4 ton chev 4X4, runs good but has a rusty body. I am buying a 1987 chev 3/4 ton 4X2 with a great body. I was planning to put the 4X2 body on the 4X4 frame. A friend of mine suggested putting the suspention from the 4X4 on the 4X2 frame. I was wondering if anyone had done it this way or if it is even possible.

 

[firebane]

Easier and less headache to swap the body parts than the suspension parts.

 

[Melborn]

Thanks, melborn

 

[yevgenievich]

The only problem with 4x2 body is it has a lower transmission hump and will need it swapped from 4x4 body unless there is body lift installed. If 4x2 is a manual truck then it might not matter as they have higher floor hump than auto trucks.

 

[kleedus]

I put a 2 wheel drive high hump 4speed cab on my 4x4 wrecker bolted on no trouble t case cleared the floor as well

and it is a lot easier to swap the body

 

[MadOgre]

X4.

 

[MadOgre]

Plus it gives you the opportunity to get rid of any hidden rust and Anti Seize all the bolts. from top to bottom.

Take your time and prep the 4wd frame. Paint it, replace fuel and brake lines if necessary and clean out gas tanks while your at it. Check the chassis wiring. When your done you will have nicely refurbished truck.

 

[firebane]

The only problem with 4x2 body is it has a lower transmission hump and will need it swapped from 4x4 body unless there is body lift installed. If 4x2 is a manual truck then it might not matter as they have higher floor hump than auto trucks.

A lot of the humps in the trucks are bolt in and can just be unbolted and swapped.

If not find a bolt in one cut the old out and bolt the new one in.

 

[MadOgre]

A lot of the humps in the trucks are bolt in and can just be unbolted and swapped.

If not find a bolt in one cut the old out and bolt the new one in.

The bolt in ones are usually sealed with seam sealer so you may have to cut it out and then painfully separate the seam from the bolt in hump.

Also do not cut out the hump in the 2wd until you have the 4wd hump ready to install and use the 4wd hump as a template to trace out where to cut the 2wd hump. REMEMBER TO ADD 1 1/2-2 INCHES from where you trace so that your new hump has some where to bolt to!

 

[highdesertrange]

I agree easier to swap bodies than the 4x4 drive train. hopefully your 2wd cab will clear your 4x4 drive train. highdesertranger