HOW TO CONVERT 2wd to 4wd?
- Thread starter Rmart399
- Start date
Disclaimer: Links on this page pointing to Amazon, eBay and other sites may include affiliate code. If you click them and make a purchase, we may earn a small commission.
firebane
Full Access Member
- Joined
- Jul 10, 2014
- Posts
- 1,732
- Reaction score
- 30
- Location
- Calgary, AB
- First Name
- Curtis
- Truck Year
- 1974
- Truck Model
- K10
- Engine Size
- 350
Not worth it.
yevgenievich
Full Access Member
- Joined
- Mar 1, 2014
- Posts
- 4,819
- Reaction score
- 3,400
- Location
- Place
- First Name
- Name
- Truck Year
- Year
- Truck Model
- Model
- Engine Size
- Size
Best way is to remove engine/cab. Then roll 4x4 chassis under the cab and put everything back together. Otherwise would need to swap all the 4x4 parts from 4x4 chassis
kickdeez
Full Access Member
- Joined
- May 23, 2014
- Posts
- 300
- Reaction score
- 52
- Location
- north carolina
- First Name
- kyle
- Truck Year
- 1990
- Truck Model
- Suburban 2500
- Engine Size
- 454 tbi
My suburban was converted from a 2wd automatic to a 4wd manual by the previous owner. It doesn't look like anything ridiculously-complicated, but it does look like a good amount of work. @yevgenievich is probably right though...it may be easier (or quicker) to do a frame/cab swap. And likely cheaper to go that route too.
That being said, if you have some fabrication skills, some time, and a reliable daliy driver, it is definitely doable. You can find suspension parts from Offroaddesign.com, diy4x.com, and/or your local junkyard. You will need to put some consideration into what transfer case will easily mate up to your existing transmission (adapters can get co$$$$tly), and finding either an axle that is already set up for crossover steering, or a steering box to run push-pull steering. Once you have those 2 components figured out, there will be engine crossmember modifications, floorboard modifications, driveshaft modifications, potentially exhaust modifications, and other likely unforeseeable modifications and expenses that come up. It can be done, but like others have said, it may not be worth it.
That being said, if you have some fabrication skills, some time, and a reliable daliy driver, it is definitely doable. You can find suspension parts from Offroaddesign.com, diy4x.com, and/or your local junkyard. You will need to put some consideration into what transfer case will easily mate up to your existing transmission (adapters can get co$$$$tly), and finding either an axle that is already set up for crossover steering, or a steering box to run push-pull steering. Once you have those 2 components figured out, there will be engine crossmember modifications, floorboard modifications, driveshaft modifications, potentially exhaust modifications, and other likely unforeseeable modifications and expenses that come up. It can be done, but like others have said, it may not be worth it.
kleedus
Full Access Member
- Joined
- Jan 25, 2012
- Posts
- 1,726
- Reaction score
- 162
- Location
- wyo
- First Name
- Ray
- Truck Year
- 1960 threw 91
- Truck Model
- c10 to k30
- Engine Size
- 350 threw 454
its a lot of work but either way you do it its a lot of work.
frame swap or convert it lots of work
I am not afraid to cut the cross members and mount from a 4x4 and put them on a 2x4 and drill some holes or vise versa 4x4 to 2x4
you can't find 4x4 short bed or 2x4 blazer frames that easy
long bed or suburban frame swap would be faster and not hard to find a 4x4 sub or long bed.
you can find a 4x4 suburban or long bed easy and use it as a donor on a 4x4 short bed conversion.
if I cant find what I want I make what I can find what I want no matter how much work it is. work on trucks and cars is all I do when I am not at work. its fun to make whatever I want out of nothing.
frame swap or convert it lots of work
I am not afraid to cut the cross members and mount from a 4x4 and put them on a 2x4 and drill some holes or vise versa 4x4 to 2x4
you can't find 4x4 short bed or 2x4 blazer frames that easy
long bed or suburban frame swap would be faster and not hard to find a 4x4 sub or long bed.
you can find a 4x4 suburban or long bed easy and use it as a donor on a 4x4 short bed conversion.
if I cant find what I want I make what I can find what I want no matter how much work it is. work on trucks and cars is all I do when I am not at work. its fun to make whatever I want out of nothing.
