C30 to 4x4 conversion?

[74CustomK20]

I've been thinking a lot of converting my c30 to a k30. I know the front core support mounts swap and that's what I'll use to center n find where the rear spring bracket mounts go (plan on a 52" spring swap at the time) my problem is the crossmember. Everywhere I read I see people swap em out... Why? Plan on about a 8" lift or so anyway so don't think axle will hit anything... Anyone know why? don't plan on a different trans, keeping a sm465 regardless...

[sweetk30]

8" lift should clear just fine on stripped down 2wd cross member .

look up www.diy4x.com

b52 kit http://diy4x.com/product.php?product...cat=250&page=1

shackle hangers http://diy4x.com/product.php?product...cat=250&page=3

shackles http://diy4x.com/product.php?product...cat=250&page=3

rear will be 3" low as true 4wd frames use a 3" lower hanging front hanger for the leaf rear leaf springs . lots of ways to work around this .

and your 2wd sm465 will be 35 spline rear output and no factory t-case combo come behind this as a direct bolt up combo . so its swap tail shaft / whole trans / or divorced tcase from a dodge or ih or early gm .

and 52 or 56 swap springs in the front take a bit to get dialed in for lots of street time. but cheep way to get 4-5" lift off the bat.

[74CustomK20]

I do have a 465/205 combo with shafts and all ready to go. I also noticed the front hangers we're different from the ones from my k20. Planned on swapping them. I'll definitely check those links out. So the real reason why they swap is just for clearance, and if so what do you mean by stripped down cross member?

[sweetk30]

the rear spring front hanger rivet pattern will prob be different so its drill more holes or just compensate with rear lift components to cover the extra 3"

ya strip all the stuff off you dont need so nothing hits . or you could just do this with a little tweeking . http://www.offroaddesign.com/catalog...rossmember.htm

[RADustin]

it'd have to be tall to clear the crossmember free and clear. or just have minimum wheel travel.

[74CustomK20]

Phew 200 dollars for a crossmember... That would go a long way somewhere else... Guess I can just remove all I need off the factory... Also this will just be more of a farm/mudder. Not a rock crawler... But I'll keep that in mind for sure thanks.

[sweetk30]

i have a k30 with 6" lift now and i dont see why a 2wd crossmember still in there would not clear on a 8" lift kit .

[74CustomK20]

My thoughts too. I can source a TRUE one ton 4x4 frame but it's about 500 bucks and would really rather not... Now I just need to find a k10 frame and source my brackets!

[sweetk30]

500 bucks for a clean k30 frame ......... i would jump on that in a heart beat .

i wated over 2-3 years for a k30 frame . then my current one i used a crew cab frame i had and cut it down to a std cab frame cause i couldnt find one .

you will be time / money ahead if you ask me in getting the k30 frame . build the roller out then body swap .

[Mathew21]

Originally Posted by sweetk30

500 bucks for a clean k30 frame ......... i would jump on that in a heart beat .

i wated over 2-3 years for a k30 frame . then my current one i used a crew cab frame i had and cut it down to a std cab frame cause i couldnt find one .

you will be time / money ahead if you ask me in getting the k30 frame . build the roller out then body swap .

I agree I would jump on that frame.

[Devilman]

Originally Posted by 74CustomK20

My thoughts too. I can source a TRUE one ton 4x4 frame but it's about 500 bucks and would really rather not... Now I just need to find a k10 frame and source my brackets!

I was gonna convert my 2wd frame for my crew but found clean K30 crew frame for $300 and jumped all over it

[74CustomK20]

You guys are talking me into it... I could always just pick up axles n still drive my c30 getting parts as needed... Plus the k30 is a conventional wheelbase, not this 5" or so longer crap of the c&c

[sweetk30]

Originally Posted by 74CustomK20

You guys are talking me into it... I could always just pick up axles n still drive my c30 getting parts as needed... Plus the k30 is a conventional wheelbase, not this 5" or so longer crap of the c&c

std cab long bed = 131.5
std cab c&c = 135

just to clearify for others .

my friend has a c&C with a long bed box on it and box centered over the axle and to the untrained eye you would never know it .

[74CustomK20]

I've thought of putting a long bed on mine too... Anyone have pictures of how a c&c dually axle fits under a regular bed? I've heard (I think) the inner wheels will rub the wheel wells, but don't remember... Maybe I can run some nice singles...

[sweetk30]

dont rub as far as i have seen . seen pics of a few 2wd trucks this way . the outer wheel just needs a rubber wheel arch mud flapy extension to cover the wheel .

its some times called a sleeper dually / stelth dually .

[Danvis]

Originally Posted by 74CustomK20

I've thought of putting a long bed on mine too... Anyone have pictures of how a c&c dually axle fits under a regular bed? I've heard (I think) the inner wheels will rub the wheel wells, but don't remember... Maybe I can run some nice singles...

Id like to see pics also