using a 2x4 frame for a 4x4 - The 1947 - Present Chevrolet & GMC Truck Message Board Network

67chevy3/4ton · 01-12-2005, 01:45 AM

I need info on a frame swap.What all would be involved to use a swb 2x4 frame and swap all the lwb 4x4 drive train and suspension over to it? Wpould I be better off just cutting the lwb frame? I've built several 2x4's but the 4x4 stuff is all new to me.Any info would be a great help. thanks

454_72_4X4 · 01-12-2005, 03:13 AM

My dad has did this swap a couple of times but I wasn't around to see what all it involved. I think some of the holes are there but for things like where the mount for the rear shackle of the front spring go through the frame you'll have to dig out the torch, (or whatever you use to cut something like that).

griesel72 · 01-12-2005, 10:15 AM

The problem with this is that you will kill the resale value if you cut the frame, i think it would be better tring to swap the suspension, but the best would be to find a swb 4X4 frame and running gear (yeah right

) to swap your body over to.

**special-K** · 01-12-2005, 09:36 PM

So dimension-wise frame are the same?

Rod · 01-12-2005, 10:40 PM

You have leaf spring rear..if not your into problems..but someone did a coil sprung rear and a front leaf on this board.

67chevy3/4ton · 01-13-2005, 02:23 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Rod

You have leaf spring rear..if not your into problems..but someone did a coil sprung rear and a front leaf on this board.

I have a complete 4x4 lwb and I am wanting to convert to swb.Are the holes already in all the frames to bolt the leaf springs hangers to?

Rod · 01-13-2005, 10:57 AM

They should be...its 4x4 already. You should just look at cutting the frame and getting it back together. efabman has pics in his posts and a dvd video with the frame cutting in it.

vtblazer · 01-13-2005, 05:42 PM

You can compare the two frames here.
http://www.chuckschevytruckpages.com/framespecs.html

I looked into the conversion briefly but was told/informed that a 2wd frame didn't have the strength.
Don't know for sure but that seemed to be the concenses.
Do a search for a swb 4x4 frame, ya never know, you might come across one.
Good luck.

mkmiller1 · 01-13-2005, 07:05 PM

Welcome to the board! I'm located in SW Arkansas. I've got some details on doing this if I can dig them up. I've got a few blazer frames(4wd) that I've thought of using the parts from and converting a 2wd myself.
Matthew

**special-K** · 01-13-2005, 11:06 PM

What would be different strength-wise?

sixty8c10 · 01-13-2005, 11:31 PM

i'm thinking of doing the same conversion as mkmiller. taking the 4wd parts off a blazer and putting on a truck and the trucks 2wd parts and putting on the blazer. any assistance is appreciated

muddyole 69 · 01-14-2005, 12:01 AM

I have done the blazer/2wd to shorty 4x4 truck and it was simple just measured the distance between the original short frame cab mounts split it in two and cut out the appropriate amount of frame back from the front tub mounts on the blazer frame to make the new 4x4 frame the correct length and welded it back together anyone decent with a Mig can make the weld stronger than the original frame itself grind it smooth and paint I plated the inside just for my own piece of mind though. If you go to sell the truck most states have laws requiring you to disclose any frame modifications I would anyway just to sleep better at night just my 2 cents Mike

ABHaulR · 01-15-2005, 12:39 AM

if you have the 4wd frame and can shorten it, it is a easier way to do the conversion. i have done both the frame shorting and the 2wd frame conversion. my 72 sub was a 2wd with trailing arm suspension and now its leafs up front with trailing arms in the rear for the soft ride. either way you decide to do it you need to make alot of measurements and double check them over and over. its alot of work, a hell of alot of fun.
good luck and have fun. just remember when you think you got it ready to cut or weld, measure again. Dwayne

**special-K** · 01-15-2005, 03:45 PM

ABHaulR,What did you do to get 10"lift on the trailing arm/coil rear?I guess an axle-under(spring-over).What else?Also,how did you handle the panhard bar?

ABHaulR · 01-15-2005, 10:55 PM

I moved the panhard bar to the u-bolt plate, so its longer and has a smoother arch. yes for now its a trailing arm over axle. when i get the time i will finish my 3 link setup. it will have coil-overs with dualrate springs for a soft ride. you know you have to keep the wife happy, honey-do's....LOL im retilling the kitchen, dinning room, and living room. putting in a builtin entertainment center/ fire place.
Dwayne

chevy69er · 01-16-2005, 05:25 AM

I thought about doing the trailing arm over axle on my truck.How much lift did that give you and how did u do it?Thanks!

ABHaulR · 01-16-2005, 10:30 PM

just by flipping the axle under the trailing arms you get about 7 inches of lift.to do it you need to get new spring perches and you have to grind them so they are at the same angle of the factory ones. i did it by leaving the stock perches in place and matching them up. you need to lenghten the rear section of your drive line. if you put in anykind of lift block you need to redo your parking brake cables. it's not to bad of a project.
Dwayne

sixty8c10 · 01-16-2005, 11:09 PM

abhaulr, did you by any chance take some pics of your axle flip?

ABHaulR · 01-17-2005, 12:30 PM

i'll have to look, there here some place, we moved and i haven't found my disk that i loaded my pics on. as soon as i do i'll post some.
Dwayne

01-12-2005, 01:45 AM	#1
67chevy3/4ton Registered User Join Date: Dec 2003 Location: Beebe, Arkansas Posts: 16	using a 2x4 frame for a 4x4 I need info on a frame swap.What all would be involved to use a swb 2x4 frame and swap all the lwb 4x4 drive train and suspension over to it? Wpould I be better off just cutting the lwb frame? I've built several 2x4's but the 4x4 stuff is all new to me.Any info would be a great help. thanks

01-12-2005, 03:13 AM	#2
454_72_4X4 Registered User Join Date: Apr 2004 Location: N.E. MO Posts: 1,749	My dad has did this swap a couple of times but I wasn't around to see what all it involved. I think some of the holes are there but for things like where the mount for the rear shackle of the front spring go through the frame you'll have to dig out the torch, (or whatever you use to cut something like that). __________________ 72 C20 4X4 454 4 speed 89 Trans Am (was) 305 TPI 700r4 93 C1500 2wd Extended cab 350 700r4 98 Sonoma (TPI outa the Trans Am) 03 Yamaha 660 Raptor 03/04 660 Raptor 07 700 Raptor 85 Honda Odyssey

01-12-2005, 10:15 AM	#3
griesel72 Senior Member Join Date: Apr 2003 Location: Howard, Kansas USA Posts: 1,997	The problem with this is that you will kill the resale value if you cut the frame, i think it would be better tring to swap the suspension, but the best would be to find a swb 4X4 frame and running gear (yeah right ) to swap your body over to. __________________ 1969 K10 Custom 10 1997 Z71 2006 Volkswagen Jetta TDI 2006 King Ranch 1980 Wife

01-12-2005, 09:36 PM	#4
special-K Special Order Join Date: Nov 2004 Location: Mt Airy, MD Posts: 85,851	So dimension-wise frame are the same? __________________ "BUILDING A BETTER WAY TO SERVE THE USA"......67/72......"The New Breed" GMC '67 C1500 Wideside Super Custom SWB: 327/M22/3.42 posi.........."The '67" (project) GMC '72 K2500 Wideside Sierra Custom Camper: 350/TH350/4.10 Power-Lok..."The '72" (rolling) Tim "Don't call me a redneck. I'm a rough cut country gentleman" R.I.P. ~ East Side Low Life ~ El Jay ~ 72BLUZ ~ Fasteddie69 ~ Ron586 ~ 67ChevyRedneck ~ Grumpy Old Man ~

01-12-2005, 10:40 PM	#5
Rod Join Date: Dec 1999 Location: Eastern - Manitoba Canada, Winnipeg Posts: 4,369	You have leaf spring rear..if not your into problems..but someone did a coil sprung rear and a front leaf on this board. __________________ Senior active founding member. 70 3/4 ton GMC Suburban 4x4 250/4 spd. 71 1/2 ton Suburban Chevy 4x4, 350/350 72 Chev 1 ton tow truck 402BB w/Holmes 440 wrecker on propane 2005 FLSTSCI Harley Springer 85 FXSB Harley Lowrider 72 Triumph 650 Bonneville 5spd "Poor people don't have hobbies" Quote from wife.

01-13-2005, 10:57 AM	#7
Rod Join Date: Dec 1999 Location: Eastern - Manitoba Canada, Winnipeg Posts: 4,369	They should be...its 4x4 already. You should just look at cutting the frame and getting it back together. efabman has pics in his posts and a dvd video with the frame cutting in it. __________________ Senior active founding member. 70 3/4 ton GMC Suburban 4x4 250/4 spd. 71 1/2 ton Suburban Chevy 4x4, 350/350 72 Chev 1 ton tow truck 402BB w/Holmes 440 wrecker on propane 2005 FLSTSCI Harley Springer 85 FXSB Harley Lowrider 72 Triumph 650 Bonneville 5spd "Poor people don't have hobbies" Quote from wife.

01-13-2005, 05:42 PM	#8
vtblazer Registered User Join Date: Oct 2003 Location: Central Vermont Posts: 8,537	You can compare the two frames here. http://www.chuckschevytruckpages.com/framespecs.html I looked into the conversion briefly but was told/informed that a 2wd frame didn't have the strength. Don't know for sure but that seemed to be the concenses. Do a search for a swb 4x4 frame, ya never know, you might come across one. Good luck.

01-13-2005, 07:05 PM	#9
mkmiller1 Senior Member Join Date: Dec 2000 Location: Magnolia, Arkansas Posts: 1,091	Welcome to the board! I'm located in SW Arkansas. I've got some details on doing this if I can dig them up. I've got a few blazer frames(4wd) that I've thought of using the parts from and converting a 2wd myself. Matthew __________________ GOD is good...All the time! '71 swb custom10 barn find-68K original miles 72 K5 CST rust bucket, but runs and drives 84K miles

01-13-2005, 11:06 PM	#10
special-K Special Order Join Date: Nov 2004 Location: Mt Airy, MD Posts: 85,851	What would be different strength-wise? __________________ "BUILDING A BETTER WAY TO SERVE THE USA"......67/72......"The New Breed" GMC '67 C1500 Wideside Super Custom SWB: 327/M22/3.42 posi.........."The '67" (project) GMC '72 K2500 Wideside Sierra Custom Camper: 350/TH350/4.10 Power-Lok..."The '72" (rolling) Tim "Don't call me a redneck. I'm a rough cut country gentleman" R.I.P. ~ East Side Low Life ~ El Jay ~ 72BLUZ ~ Fasteddie69 ~ Ron586 ~ 67ChevyRedneck ~ Grumpy Old Man ~

01-13-2005, 11:31 PM	#11
sixty8c10 MY EX DRIVES A BROOM Join Date: Nov 2003 Location: Herington, KS Posts: 869	i'm thinking of doing the same conversion as mkmiller. taking the 4wd parts off a blazer and putting on a truck and the trucks 2wd parts and putting on the blazer. any assistance is appreciated __________________ They say nobody's perfect. I'm a nobody, so I must be perfect. Building Nemo -1968 C10 Long Bed FRED -1947 KB-2 International

01-14-2005, 12:01 AM	#12
muddyole 69 Senior Member Join Date: Jan 2004 Location: SE Ohio Posts: 1,121	conversion I have done the blazer/2wd to shorty 4x4 truck and it was simple just measured the distance between the original short frame cab mounts split it in two and cut out the appropriate amount of frame back from the front tub mounts on the blazer frame to make the new 4x4 frame the correct length and welded it back together anyone decent with a Mig can make the weld stronger than the original frame itself grind it smooth and paint I plated the inside just for my own piece of mind though. If you go to sell the truck most states have laws requiring you to disclose any frame modifications I would anyway just to sleep better at night just my 2 cents Mike __________________ hav'n fun be'n me

01-15-2005, 12:39 AM	#13
ABHaulR Registered User Join Date: Jun 2003 Location: West Valley City, Ut Posts: 311	conversion if you have the 4wd frame and can shorten it, it is a easier way to do the conversion. i have done both the frame shorting and the 2wd frame conversion. my 72 sub was a 2wd with trailing arm suspension and now its leafs up front with trailing arms in the rear for the soft ride. either way you decide to do it you need to make alot of measurements and double check them over and over. its alot of work, a hell of alot of fun. good luck and have fun. just remember when you think you got it ready to cut or weld, measure again. Dwayne __________________ 72' GMC Suburban 10 1/2" of Lift, 40" Tires! Waiting for restoration 67' Chevy, What to do??? And Bad Ass American Bulldogs!

01-15-2005, 03:45 PM	#14
special-K Special Order Join Date: Nov 2004 Location: Mt Airy, MD Posts: 85,851	ABHaulR,What did you do to get 10"lift on the trailing arm/coil rear?I guess an axle-under(spring-over).What else?Also,how did you handle the panhard bar? __________________ "BUILDING A BETTER WAY TO SERVE THE USA"......67/72......"The New Breed" GMC '67 C1500 Wideside Super Custom SWB: 327/M22/3.42 posi.........."The '67" (project) GMC '72 K2500 Wideside Sierra Custom Camper: 350/TH350/4.10 Power-Lok..."The '72" (rolling) Tim "Don't call me a redneck. I'm a rough cut country gentleman" R.I.P. ~ East Side Low Life ~ El Jay ~ 72BLUZ ~ Fasteddie69 ~ Ron586 ~ 67ChevyRedneck ~ Grumpy Old Man ~

01-15-2005, 10:55 PM	#15
ABHaulR Registered User Join Date: Jun 2003 Location: West Valley City, Ut Posts: 311	lift I moved the panhard bar to the u-bolt plate, so its longer and has a smoother arch. yes for now its a trailing arm over axle. when i get the time i will finish my 3 link setup. it will have coil-overs with dualrate springs for a soft ride. you know you have to keep the wife happy, honey-do's....LOL im retilling the kitchen, dinning room, and living room. putting in a builtin entertainment center/ fire place. Dwayne __________________ 72' GMC Suburban 10 1/2" of Lift, 40" Tires! Waiting for restoration 67' Chevy, What to do??? And Bad Ass American Bulldogs!

01-16-2005, 05:25 AM	#16
chevy69er Registered User Join Date: Feb 2003 Location: Lakewood,Ca Posts: 69	I thought about doing the trailing arm over axle on my truck.How much lift did that give you and how did u do it?Thanks! __________________ 1969 C-20,383 stroker,sm465,custom long travel front suspension,4 wheel disc brakes,35" pro comps...mods under way include: 4x4 conversion,and custom bumpers.future mods include: gear vendors od unit,and relocation of fuel cell.



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01-16-2005, 10:30 PM	#17
ABHaulR Registered User Join Date: Jun 2003 Location: West Valley City, Ut Posts: 311	swap just by flipping the axle under the trailing arms you get about 7 inches of lift.to do it you need to get new spring perches and you have to grind them so they are at the same angle of the factory ones. i did it by leaving the stock perches in place and matching them up. you need to lenghten the rear section of your drive line. if you put in anykind of lift block you need to redo your parking brake cables. it's not to bad of a project. Dwayne __________________ 72' GMC Suburban 10 1/2" of Lift, 40" Tires! Waiting for restoration 67' Chevy, What to do??? And Bad Ass American Bulldogs!

01-16-2005, 11:09 PM	#18
sixty8c10 MY EX DRIVES A BROOM Join Date: Nov 2003 Location: Herington, KS Posts: 869	abhaulr, did you by any chance take some pics of your axle flip? __________________ They say nobody's perfect. I'm a nobody, so I must be perfect. Building Nemo -1968 C10 Long Bed FRED -1947 KB-2 International

01-17-2005, 12:30 PM	#19
ABHaulR Registered User Join Date: Jun 2003 Location: West Valley City, Ut Posts: 311	flip i'll have to look, there here some place, we moved and i haven't found my disk that i loaded my pics on. as soon as i do i'll post some. Dwayne __________________ 72' GMC Suburban 10 1/2" of Lift, 40" Tires! Waiting for restoration 67' Chevy, What to do??? And Bad Ass American Bulldogs!

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