2wd to 4wd.....just curious

[Mike C]

The trailing arms ride smoother with their coils than the leafs and they naturally inhibit spring wrap up. You can buy taller rear coils which would let you match height to whatever conversion method you used in the front at least up to a few inches.

I prefer an integral T-case over a non integral, but either work. One interesting thing about the non integral is you can have a longer front shaft and a shorter rear shaft. One of the reasons the 4x4 motor is back so much further than the 2x4 is to get enough length on the front shaft.

If it were mine, I would consider stock HD '73 and up front springs, an 8.5" 10 bolt with 8 lug wheels and either DIY4x4 or '73 spring brackets. The '73 springs are a little longer and should ride a little smoother.

I would also try and find a passenger flat top knuckle and do crossover steering using you factory 2x4 box. Once it was together, pick some new rear springs to match front rid height.

Might make sense to swap a 14 bolt in the rear at the same time if you have an HO52. That would let you run a limited slip. It would be awesome with TrueTracs in both ends

I have some of these parts if you are still considering this when you move to my part of the world.

[FLYNAVY30]

Thanks for the info guys....lots to consider. At the moment, its a 3/4 ton C20 with a built 6.0L LS and STG II 4L65E. The rear is the factory Dana 60 and I've already converted to 4 wheels disc brakes....although I do not yet have a parking brake solution.

[Mike C]

Was it a factory big block truck? Interesting that it is Dana 60 as most small block coil trucks were HO52.

One of the reason I like sticking with the drums. I have an '86 Sub rear in my Jimmy, 8 lug semi-float with the 13" drums. Parking brake works GREAT!

[FLYNAVY30]

Yes, it was a factory C20 with the 402 big block and trailing arms with coil springs in the rear. It does have the "helper" leaf springs for towing.

[FLYNAVY30]

nice, thanks! Decisions, decisions, decisions....

[mcmlxix]

How deep are your pockets?
Custom modular chassis for 67-72 4x4 trucks...K5 Blazer, K10/K20 SWB or LWB ... 4 linked or IFS... SBC BBC LSX 6BT
check them out at
www.patriotchassis.com

First build was an IFS 3/4 ton LSx powere Blazer with a 4 link in the rear that's AWD like a late model Yukon Denali

[PropMan]

Originally Posted by mcmlxix

How deep are your pockets?
Custom modular chassis for 67-72 4x4 trucks...K5 Blazer, K10/K20 SWB or LWB ... 4 linked or IFS... SBC BBC LSX 6BT
check them out at
www.patriotchassis.com

First build was an IFS 3/4 ton LSx powere Blazer with a 4 link in the rear that's AWD like a late model Yukon Denali

You Sir are going to cost me a lot of money. Haven't seen these.

[FLYNAVY30]

Originally Posted by mcmlxix

How deep are your pockets?
Custom modular chassis for 67-72 4x4 trucks...K5 Blazer, K10/K20 SWB or LWB ... 4 linked or IFS... SBC BBC LSX 6BT
check them out at
www.patriotchassis.com

First build was an IFS 3/4 ton LSx powere Blazer with a 4 link in the rear that's AWD like a late model Yukon Denali

DANGER! DANGER! Thanks for the link! In all seriousness, this is an option I'd like to explore...looks like their prices are SIGNIFICANTLY more reasonable than the Roadster Shop chassis I posted in another thread a few weeks back.

[Reno]

I’m converting a pristine rust free 2WD 1968 to 4x4 using a 1972 4x4 frame - keeping the title from the 72 in case there issues down the road. It’s about a 2 day job to remove entire body. I’m also adding a 12 valve Cummins and Dana 60 front Dana 70 rear to the build. Hoping to be complete this summer....

[FLYNAVY30]

So going back to the topic of transfer case......

My Gearstar stg 2 4L65E is plenty strong for my purposes.... would it make more sense to change the output shaft in order to accommodate a married np205, or leave it as she sits and include a second crossmemeber to mount a divorced t-case?

[FLYNAVY30]

Thanks for the link, good info!

[FLYNAVY30]

Going further down the rabbit hole...

If you use the DIY4x kit to fit the 52" leaf spring in the front, how do you determine what rate coil to use in the rear in order to provide a decent ride quality? Obviously you can get different spring heights to adjust the rear ride height to match the front, but I would also want to ensure good ride quality and handling (for a truck).

[mcmlxix]

Originally Posted by FLYNAVY30

Going further down the rabbit hole...

If you use the DIY4x kit to fit the 52" leaf spring in the front, how do you determine what rate coil to use in the rear in order to provide a decent ride quality? Obviously you can get different spring heights to adjust the rear ride height to match the front, but I would also want to ensure good ride quality and handling (for a truck).

The Moog brand replacement gives spring rates on the CarID website. You can use this as a base line to determine a suitable taller replacement.

https://www.carid.com/moog/problem-s...l#applications

[HO455]

Here is a little more information on th e DIY4X4 front spring kit.

http://www.67-72chevytrucks.com/vboa...d.php?t=805048

[FLYNAVY30]

Originally Posted by HO455

Here is a little more information on th e DIY4X4 front spring kit.

http://www.67-72chevytrucks.com/vboa...d.php?t=805048

good read, thanks!

[HO455]

K model Burban listed here. It's a ways away from you, but.....

https://phoenix.craigslist.org/evl/p...102423305.html

[FLYNAVY30]

interesting cab conversion on the Burban chassis. Unfortunately, its going to be at least another year before I can start shopping for a chassis as I just got extended in my current orders....which means I'm stuck in my single car garage/condo for the time being.

[HO455]

Sorry to hear of the delay. HOA's are bad enough let alone in a Navy town. Hard to even change a flat tire without hassle.

[FLYNAVY30]

Originally Posted by HO455

Sorry to hear of the delay. HOA's are bad enough let alone in a Navy town. Hard to even change a flat tire without hassle.

You're preaching to the choir! My stack of citations for "Excessive Automotive Maintenance" is impressive. The thing that really pisses me off is that my garage faces an alley, and I am extremely particular about not leaving ANYTHING in the driveway over night.....or sitting out while I am not working on it.

Fortunately our place in Texas has a 1000 sq ft garage and no HOA!!

[HO455]

I spent close to five years in Norfolk. I know the pain. There used to be a pretty good shop on base I would rent to do stuff (like rebuild the motor in my GTO). But they tended to frown on longer term projects. There even was a body shop with a paint booth. I painted the goat twice (there was a learning curve).
I suppose these days all that is gone.

[FLYNAVY30]

Originally Posted by HO455

I spent close to five years in Norfolk. I know the pain. There used to be a pretty good shop on base I would rent to do stuff (like rebuild the motor in my GTO). But they tended to frown on longer term projects. There even was a body shop with a paint booth. I painted the goat twice (there was a learning curve).
I suppose these days all that is gone.

Oh yea, there's a shop on base still, but its only useful for changing oil, or projects you know will be done in a couple hours.

[FLYNAVY30]

If you can make it work, I'd love to see it!! Like you, I'm not doing any "hard core" off-roading....just looking for a functional 4wd set up to get though sand, mud, snow, etc while camping....not trying to compete in KOTH.

I hadn't heard of the ORD coil over conversion....will need to do some research.

[A1971Blazer]

Originally Posted by FLYNAVY30

If you can make it work, I'd love to see it!! Like you, I'm not doing any "hard core" off-roading....just looking for a functional 4wd set up to get though sand, mud, snow, etc while camping....not trying to compete in KOTH.

I hadn't heard of the ORD coil over conversion....will need to do some research.

I'm gonna call ORD today to see if they have sold a kit to someone that has done it...I'll post the results of that call.....

[FLYNAVY30]

Much appreciated....looking at their web site, it looks like they have a matching rear set up. I'll be curious to hear what the minimum lift you can get out of it is. I'd like something capable, and don't mind modification/fabrication to the frame, but don't want a monster truck either.

[A1971Blazer]

Originally Posted by FLYNAVY30

Much appreciated....looking at their web site, it looks like they have a matching rear set up. I'll be curious to hear what the minimum lift you can get out of it is. I'd like something capable, and don't mind modification/fabrication to the frame, but don't want a monster truck either.

I had talked to them awhile back about putting the kit on my '70 Blazer..
I asked about ride height and the tech told me that they could set it up at whatever I wanted...I was looking for only about 2"- 2½" of lift.