4x4 Conversion on 71 Cheyenne - The 1947 - Present Chevrolet & GMC Truck Message Board Network

McNugget · 03-06-2011, 11:11 PM

I have 1971 Chevy Cheyenne that I am trying to convert to 4x4. I have frame with NP205 transfer case and automatic transmission. I am still looking for the front driveshaft, but my question is, how long will the conversion take? At first I just want to mount everything onto the new frame, cause I will not have the front driveshaft or linkage for the transfer case, but I am going to worry about that part later. I just need to get my truck on this frame and get rid of the 2WD frame asap. Does anyone have any tips? just about everything is on the frame except cab mounts...?

Gene · 03-06-2011, 11:13 PM

It depends on how much time you have to devote to swapping everything over. Just swapping everything over shouldnt take all that much time. I've found that it's all the "little things" that seem to take up most of the time. BTW i'm swapping a 2wd to a 4wd also, but I am doing a complete frame off resto in the process. Mine has been going on for 10 months now

McNugget · 03-06-2011, 11:16 PM

Well its my daily driver, but I could devote as much time as it would take at the time its getting done. Could I do it in a week if it is worked on everyday?

Gene · 03-06-2011, 11:17 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by McNugget

Well its my daily driver, but I could devote as much time as it would take at the time its getting done. Could I do it in a week if it is worked on everyday?

Daily driver? I would suggest borrowing something else to drive in the meantime.

McNugget · 03-06-2011, 11:19 PM

Oh I would def have another vehicle to get around in. I would just want to get it done as fast as possible. I just don't know how much time to expect it to be torn apart/undrivable?

1969K10 · 03-06-2011, 11:33 PM

break it down into a couple of jobs?
get the front axle mounted.
get the x-fer mounted.
then work on the little things as they come along. each of the above is a good weekend job, maybe a little more. but then you're not down for 2-3 weeks straight

**Joesjunk** · 03-07-2011, 07:56 PM

These are pretty easy to do, Get the 4x4 chassis as complete as possible, engine, trans, axles, ect, then just swap your body over. I have done several, if you have experince with these trucks, and the chassis is complete, the body swap can be done in a weekend

03-06-2011, 11:11 PM	#1
McNugget Registered User Join Date: Mar 2011 Location: Springfield, MO Posts: 42	4x4 Conversion on 71 Cheyenne I have 1971 Chevy Cheyenne that I am trying to convert to 4x4. I have frame with NP205 transfer case and automatic transmission. I am still looking for the front driveshaft, but my question is, how long will the conversion take? At first I just want to mount everything onto the new frame, cause I will not have the front driveshaft or linkage for the transfer case, but I am going to worry about that part later. I just need to get my truck on this frame and get rid of the 2WD frame asap. Does anyone have any tips? just about everything is on the frame except cab mounts...?

03-06-2011, 11:13 PM	#2
Gene Registered User Join Date: Aug 2002 Location: Muskogee, Oklahoma Posts: 2,914	Re: 4x4 Conversion on 71 Cheyenne It depends on how much time you have to devote to swapping everything over. Just swapping everything over shouldnt take all that much time. I've found that it's all the "little things" that seem to take up most of the time. BTW i'm swapping a 2wd to a 4wd also, but I am doing a complete frame off resto in the process. Mine has been going on for 10 months now Last edited by Gene; 03-06-2011 at 11:16 PM.

03-06-2011, 11:16 PM	#3
McNugget Registered User Join Date: Mar 2011 Location: Springfield, MO Posts: 42	Re: 4x4 Conversion on 71 Cheyenne Well its my daily driver, but I could devote as much time as it would take at the time its getting done. Could I do it in a week if it is worked on everyday?

03-06-2011, 11:19 PM	#5
McNugget Registered User Join Date: Mar 2011 Location: Springfield, MO Posts: 42	Re: 4x4 Conversion on 71 Cheyenne Oh I would def have another vehicle to get around in. I would just want to get it done as fast as possible. I just don't know how much time to expect it to be torn apart/undrivable?

03-06-2011, 11:33 PM	#6
1969K10 Senior Member Join Date: Jul 2004 Location: Clarks Hill, Indiana Posts: 733	Re: 4x4 Conversion on 71 Cheyenne break it down into a couple of jobs? get the front axle mounted. get the x-fer mounted. then work on the little things as they come along. each of the above is a good weekend job, maybe a little more. but then you're not down for 2-3 weeks straight __________________ 1969 K10 - V8, 465, 205, 12 bolt, D44 2002-current 1969 K20 - V8, 465, 221, Eaton, D44 2012-current Nothin' but drums on all 4 corners! past horses in the stable 72 C10-short step (97-02), 68 C10-long fleet (06-12)

03-07-2011, 07:56 PM	#7
Joesjunk Senior Member Join Date: May 2001 Location: Independence MO. Posts: 7,705	Re: 4x4 Conversion on 71 Cheyenne These are pretty easy to do, Get the 4x4 chassis as complete as possible, engine, trans, axles, ect, then just swap your body over. I have done several, if you have experince with these trucks, and the chassis is complete, the body swap can be done in a weekend __________________ 72 3/4t Custom Deluxe 402/auto 66k Original paint 71 3/4t 4x4 Custom Deluxe 10k original miles Original paint 71 3/4t Cheyenne 402 70k original paint 72 3/4t 4x4 Custom deluxe 72 3/4t 4x4 Custom deluxe 91k original paint 72 Cheyenne/30 Dually 69 Camaro SS396 4-speed 13 GMC 2500HD Duramax I bought new 05 Jeep Wrangler "Willys Edition" 12k miles (I bought new) 85 3/4 ton 4x4 Scottsdale 33k miles original paint 86 1 ton 4x4 SRW Silverado 454 restored 80 1 ton 4x4 SRW Silverado 9,434 original miles!! original paint 95 GMC 1 ton dually 4x4 my dad bought new 95 GMC 3/4 ton 4x4, regular cab 454, 31k original miles 2002 2500HD 4x4 regular cab 6.0L 67k miles 2002 2500HD 4x4 regular cab 8.1L 28k miles 2003 GMC 2500HD 4x4 regular cab Diesel 93k miles 67-72 Parts for sale

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