can I put 4 wheel drive train on 2 wheel drive frame? - The 1947 - Present Chevrolet & GMC Truck Message Board Network

fabricator · 01-23-2002, 08:22 AM

I've got a 78, 3/4 ton 4 wheel drive and a 87 2 wheel drive was wondering if i could put the 4 wheel drive stuff on the 2 wheel drive frame with out much difficulty , since the 78 frame is rotted. your help is appreciated.

**crossy** · 01-23-2002, 10:51 AM

YES,best way I saw to do it was grind the heads off the rivets of all the brackets you need from the 4X4,[front suspension]and drive them out . when installing on the new frame don't cheat ,use high quality bolts of grade 5,[3 hash marks on head],or better.watch the length of rear springs as there were some differences.just take a good look at everything you need FIRST so you know what you are up against. DAVE

------------------
with all the rocks that I turn over I should be finding more than slugs!

gchemist · 01-24-2002, 08:33 AM

Which cab do you plan on keeping? The hump is probably different to accomodate the tranny and 4X4 casing. If you just swaping frames you should have no major problems. If you grind the rivets you're in for a long haul. Just use a nice big chisel, vice grips and a good size ball peen hammer. The rivet heads pop right off with a good whack. I would nothing but grade 8 bolts and better.

------------------
Gerardo
1983 Custom Truck
TX Plates: "BAD BOW"
http://www.geocities.com/abetterchemist/

fabricator · 01-24-2002, 08:49 AM

i thought about a 3 ' body lift since i am using the two wheel drive cab. so what you guys are saying is that the frames are the same other than the 2 wheel and 4 wheel bracketry? are the 4 wheel drive holes in the 2 wheel drive frame?

gchemist · 01-24-2002, 04:53 PM

fabricator,

I know the frame rails at the front are cut different. You may want update the front clip to a 81+model. I would ask these guys http://www.coloradok5.com/tech.shtml

4X4 is not one of my best areas. The guys at Colorado can tell you for sure.

------------------
Gerardo
1983 Custom Truck
TX Plates: "BAD BOW"
http://www.geocities.com/abetterchemist/

**crossy** · 01-27-2002, 10:23 AM

Seeing that you are a 'fabricator' that frame diff in the front will be no problem for you . it is only done diff on the very front of the frame horn for bumper mounting . As I recall MOST of the holes are already there. grade 5 bolts are at least equal to the factory rivets. grade 8 are aircraft grade and kinda overkill . i buy grade 5 cheap at a farmtractor store where as grade 8's can be very difficult & expensive to buy.DO NOT BUY STAINLESS.IT DOES NOT HAVE THE SHEAR STRENGTH NEEDED. I know you shouldn't put a price on safety and I wouldn't ,so I say grade 5 are fine.even a 2' body kit will clear the hump from what I remember but the hump from the 4X4 cab is easy to transfer to the 2WD also.I TOO was employed as a fabricator for a number of years along with certs in welding. DIG INTO IT! DAVE

[This message has been edited by crossy (edited 01-27-2002).]

01-23-2002, 08:22 AM	#1
fabricator Registered User Join Date: Dec 2001 Location: cinti, oh Posts: 70	can I put 4 wheel drive train on 2 wheel drive frame? I've got a 78, 3/4 ton 4 wheel drive and a 87 2 wheel drive was wondering if i could put the 4 wheel drive stuff on the 2 wheel drive frame with out much difficulty , since the 78 frame is rotted. your help is appreciated.

01-23-2002, 10:51 AM	#2
crossy Oh,you can't buy that new Join Date: Apr 2000 Location: Pennsville,N.J. 08070, USA Posts: 2,039	YES,best way I saw to do it was grind the heads off the rivets of all the brackets you need from the 4X4,[front suspension]and drive them out . when installing on the new frame don't cheat ,use high quality bolts of grade 5,[3 hash marks on head],or better.watch the length of rear springs as there were some differences.just take a good look at everything you need FIRST so you know what you are up against. DAVE ------------------ with all the rocks that I turn over I should be finding more than slugs! __________________ "been there, done that, ruined the T-shirt". 2007 LBZ GMC Sierra, ECSB 2006 LM7 RCSB Silverado 98 Vortec project. 94,3500,6.5L 4L80 81 SWB GMC POS finally gone 73 Pinto, stock, w/CragarSS's-eww LOTS of Cummins trucks.

01-24-2002, 08:33 AM	#3
gchemist BAD BOW-Silverado XST Join Date: May 2000 Location: Senior Member from Austin, TX Posts: 6,431	Which cab do you plan on keeping? The hump is probably different to accomodate the tranny and 4X4 casing. If you just swaping frames you should have no major problems. If you grind the rivets you're in for a long haul. Just use a nice big chisel, vice grips and a good size ball peen hammer. The rivet heads pop right off with a good whack. I would nothing but grade 8 bolts and better. ------------------ Gerardo 1983 Custom Truck TX Plates: "BAD BOW" http://www.geocities.com/abetterchemist/ __________________ Gerardo a.k.a. Mad Chemist Silverado XST videos

01-24-2002, 04:53 PM	#5
gchemist BAD BOW-Silverado XST Join Date: May 2000 Location: Senior Member from Austin, TX Posts: 6,431	fabricator, I know the frame rails at the front are cut different. You may want update the front clip to a 81+model. I would ask these guys http://www.coloradok5.com/tech.shtml 4X4 is not one of my best areas. The guys at Colorado can tell you for sure. ------------------ Gerardo 1983 Custom Truck TX Plates: "BAD BOW" http://www.geocities.com/abetterchemist/ __________________ Gerardo a.k.a. Mad Chemist Silverado XST videos

01-27-2002, 10:23 AM	#6
crossy Oh,you can't buy that new Join Date: Apr 2000 Location: Pennsville,N.J. 08070, USA Posts: 2,039	Seeing that you are a 'fabricator' that frame diff in the front will be no problem for you . it is only done diff on the very front of the frame horn for bumper mounting . As I recall MOST of the holes are already there. grade 5 bolts are at least equal to the factory rivets. grade 8 are aircraft grade and kinda overkill . i buy grade 5 cheap at a farmtractor store where as grade 8's can be very difficult & expensive to buy.DO NOT BUY STAINLESS.IT DOES NOT HAVE THE SHEAR STRENGTH NEEDED. I know you shouldn't put a price on safety and I wouldn't ,so I say grade 5 are fine.even a 2' body kit will clear the hump from what I remember but the hump from the 4X4 cab is easy to transfer to the 2WD also.I TOO was employed as a fabricator for a number of years along with certs in welding. DIG INTO IT! DAVE [This message has been edited by crossy (edited 01-27-2002).] __________________ "been there, done that, ruined the T-shirt". 2007 LBZ GMC Sierra, ECSB 2006 LM7 RCSB Silverado 98 Vortec project. 94,3500,6.5L 4L80 81 SWB GMC POS finally gone 73 Pinto, stock, w/CragarSS's-eww LOTS of Cummins trucks.

01-24-2002, 08:49 AM	#4
fabricator Registered User Join Date: Dec 2001 Location: cinti, oh Posts: 70	i thought about a 3 ' body lift since i am using the two wheel drive cab. so what you guys are saying is that the frames are the same other than the 2 wheel and 4 wheel bracketry? are the 4 wheel drive holes in the 2 wheel drive frame?

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