Need some help/advice a 2wd to 4wd suburban project (pics).

[trevor73402]

Hello,

Last year I picked up a 1980 2wd suburban from a lil ole lady (one owner) for $250. The original intent was to use the burb for parts to rebuild my fathers 79 Jimmy that was alot of rusted panels and other issues. Well, I never expected the burb to be so clean and nice for $250. It's all original, still has the factory upholstery on the seat with no rips, no rust, no body damage, and all the glass is good. Hell, the rear air even works. So obviously I couldn't tear it apart. I thought about doing a tune up and waxing it and just re-selling it for a nice profit. However, I've been looking for a nice 4x4 burb to add to the collection. I'm very picky and I refuse to buy rust so finding a good 4x4 burb that's not crazy expensive is a lil difficult. I've already got a really nice 2wd that I have $250 in so my thoughts are to just see about converting it to a 4x4. This would be something that's drove around town to and from work, around the house, on hunting trips, and fishing trips. Not looking to make a show truck, just a clean reliable 4x4 that can actually be used when needed. It won't be used for any hardcore off-roading, but it will most likely have a 4"-6" lift and some 35's. The burb currently has a 350 in it and I honestly am not sure what tranny as I haven't been under it to look and the old lady didn't know.

Can you all tell me a basic list of what parts I'd need for this so I can be looking on Craigslist and also looking for donor burbs to steal from. I've never tackeled a project this big before, but I want to do it all myself. I have a good shop and just about any tool I'd ever need to get this done. What axle do i need? Whats a compatible transfer case? What vehicles (year models) are compatible that I can steal from? Any frame modifications? I am a pretty good welder, and pretty handy with a torch so metal work is a non-issue.

Is my best route just to find a donor burb for $1000 or less and just rebuild the axle and transfer case? And then part out the remaining stuff and recoup some cost?

Is this more of a project than I'm thinking?
Here are a couple pics of the cream-puff 1980 that I scored for $250



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[Cherub]

looks like a solid rig. I havent tackled this before either but i would think your best bet would be to find a rusted 4X4 on the cheep and just use those part on the burb.

[trevor73402]

Yeah I've since been doing some reading on this over at CK5 and Pirate 4x4. It seems like it's been done. There are mixed reviews on whether it's a easy job or a pain in the ass. I've read that ORD makes a "kit" for this. I'm going to check into this.
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[rcbildr]

I think your best bet would be to find a donor 4x4 burb and either do a body swap or convert the 2wd you have. If you got a donor 4x4 burb all your brackets/hangars will be easily available...and there might be some extras (like interior parts and such) you can set aside as spares. I helped a friend of mine start coverting his 63 chevy truck to a 4x4 and about the only real PITA was busting out the frame rivets at certain stages of the project.

[Rogue_Alphonse]

You'd need either a 4x4 trans tunnel or just do a 3" body lift for sure to fit the transfer case. As for a front suspension, it's best to find a donor 4x4 for all the components, in fact [correct me if I'm wrong] I think the steering column might even be different. Try to get your trans and transfer case from another Burb, so you can get the rear driveshaft. As long as you have a front shaft that goes to whatever transfer case you have, it'll fit. If it has a 10-bolt rear, you might be able to find a set of 6-lig axles and brake parts and just "rebuild" your old diff.


I hope you can pull it off though! I love the 1980 front end, and a Burb on top of that being 4x4 would look awesome! You also got a sweet deal!