What is the process in converting my 2wd crew cab to a 4wd. Im thinking of getting the b52 from kert for the front and rear hanger but how do i measure that one. Im also gonna get trans crossmember from 4wd truck what else would I need also inside is there a plate for shifter or does floor need to be cut.Thanks
CK5
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2wd to 4wd conversion?
- Thread starter JUNIOR-K5
- Start date
K5dreamer
1/2 ton status
obvious things youll need.
-4x4 front axle
-transfer case
-trans - either modded to a 4x4 tailshaft housing, or find a 4x4 transmission.
-front driveshaft
-transfer case shift linkage and shifter
not obvious things
-not a clue.
-4x4 front axle
-transfer case
-trans - either modded to a 4x4 tailshaft housing, or find a 4x4 transmission.
-front driveshaft
-transfer case shift linkage and shifter
not obvious things
-not a clue.
dfl701
1/2 ton status
just to be sure...what year truck is this being done on?
chevysmithz71
1/2 ton status
This thread will be very helpfull. I plan on it in a few weeks as well.
http://coloradok5.com/forums/showthread.php?t=229099
http://coloradok5.com/forums/showthread.php?t=229099
I have heard that the floorpans are different between 4wd and 2wd. Never really looked, but I have a 2wd burb (1990), and an '88 blazer. That's kind of apples and oranges, but I'll look at them tomorrow. I suspect what I remember hearing is that there is a domed spot in the floor that is for a transfercase/front driveline, and it is not present on 2wds... ??
Have you looked at the difference in motor mount/engine crossmembers between the 4wd and 2wd?
Steering?
Have you looked at the difference in motor mount/engine crossmembers between the 4wd and 2wd?
Steering?
kevin400ex
1/2 ton status
i am in the middle of converting my 73 crewcab right now. the front spring mounts arent hard to figure out, the core support bolts to em so you mount them where they need to be by that. the floor pans are different, specifically the trans hump is taller on a 4x4. also the frame is a bit different as well. the 4x4 frame is taller than a 2wd.
here it is with everything unbolted and removed
on the motor mounts i am using the 2wd drive mounts to keep the engine in the original location. since the 4wd crossmember and engine mounts are to tall for the frame it is easier for me to use the 2wd ones and make a support/crossmember to support the bottom of the mounts.
i was able to place the mount for the shackle where i wanted. i followed peoples recomnedations for shackle angles from threads on 52's 56's, etc. i am using stock length front springs on my truck.
this is where im at right now. i need to get back on it and finish the crossmember and get it drivable again. i am not concerned with getting the 4x4 functional at this time since i need to rebuild the 4x4 trans i have for it among other things like time to mess with the floor clearance issue.
here it is with everything unbolted and removed
on the motor mounts i am using the 2wd drive mounts to keep the engine in the original location. since the 4wd crossmember and engine mounts are to tall for the frame it is easier for me to use the 2wd ones and make a support/crossmember to support the bottom of the mounts.
i was able to place the mount for the shackle where i wanted. i followed peoples recomnedations for shackle angles from threads on 52's 56's, etc. i am using stock length front springs on my truck.
this is where im at right now. i need to get back on it and finish the crossmember and get it drivable again. i am not concerned with getting the 4x4 functional at this time since i need to rebuild the 4x4 trans i have for it among other things like time to mess with the floor clearance issue.
I'm doing the same exact thing on my 89 crew. Was a 2wd dually, making it 4wd short box single rear wheel. I used the B52 kit from Kurt, along with the shackle upper mount and 6" long shackles. If you use the rearward most hole, it should put the axle in roughly the same spot as stock.
2wd and 4wd rear spring hangers are different. 4wd's are taller to make up the difference in height. I'm using 3/4t hangers, 4wd for the front, and a 2wd for a poor man's shackle flip.
Staying with the 2wd tranny for now, until I get some money saved up for a clutch kit and throwout bearing kit. Also depends on what motor I use.
4wd engine crossmember won't fit in the 2wd frame, it's about 1/4" too tall. I might shave it down to fit, but depending what I do for a motor, might just get a universal one from Summit, it's like $75 IIRC.
The floor on a 2wd is different than 4wd. 4wd doesn't have the high hump to clear the t-case, also the cutout for the t-case shifter. I'm using a divorced 205, so not worried bout tranny/t-case setup.
I figured out my digital camera, gonna take some shots of it as it sits and when I get stuff done to it. Wish I had pics when I first got it.
2wd and 4wd rear spring hangers are different. 4wd's are taller to make up the difference in height. I'm using 3/4t hangers, 4wd for the front, and a 2wd for a poor man's shackle flip.
Staying with the 2wd tranny for now, until I get some money saved up for a clutch kit and throwout bearing kit. Also depends on what motor I use.
4wd engine crossmember won't fit in the 2wd frame, it's about 1/4" too tall. I might shave it down to fit, but depending what I do for a motor, might just get a universal one from Summit, it's like $75 IIRC.
The floor on a 2wd is different than 4wd. 4wd doesn't have the high hump to clear the t-case, also the cutout for the t-case shifter. I'm using a divorced 205, so not worried bout tranny/t-case setup.
I figured out my digital camera, gonna take some shots of it as it sits and when I get stuff done to it. Wish I had pics when I first got it.
3/4 ton rear hangers will require 3/4 ton spring pad spacing on the axle .
dont forget this buddy.
and i will take those old 2wd 1ton hangers for the front rear springs.
dont forget this buddy.
and i will take those old 2wd 1ton hangers for the front rear springs.
Next to impossible to find a 4wd 1 ton around here. I already had the 3/4 ton hangers, got a van rear, need to change the perches anyways.
Soon as I get the hangers off, I'll let yah know.....
Soon as I get the hangers off, I'll let yah know.....
moneypit_K5
1/2 ton status
please elaborate.
I thought only the dually trucks have a different perch width, with the exception to the cab and chassis dually, which shares the same width as the SRW's.
1/2 ton and 3/4 have the same spring perch width @42.5". 1 tons, cab n chassis, dually's and what not have 40.5" perch width.
Ok lots of good info thanks guys. So let me get this straight can I put like a 1" body lift for body clearence for transfer case or a 2". Also I will be putting a 1ton shackle flip from kert and 4" front springs with b52s. It is a srw 1ton so the rear is fine right just need shackle flip and for front I will be putting a 10bolt for now later to be a d60. I quite didnt understand the part of spring hangers. I have a 350tbi th400 mated with a np241 mechanical speedo and what ever else is needed from 89 donor burb. 
i have a 1ton k30. swaped on a 87 2wd cab. needed a 2" body lift to clear the floor pan comfy .
i think a 1" might not do it.
if 4" flip in the rear only dont get 4" 52 springs and use in front as it will = 8" total. the 52 or 56 swap uses stock springs for 4" to begin with. if you use lift 52 or 56 springs its amount of lift x+4"= __ like 2" lift + 4" = 6" total lift.
and with 52 or 56 swap in the front basicly the steering will need to be crossover. stock push pull wont work.
i think a 1" might not do it.
if 4" flip in the rear only dont get 4" 52 springs and use in front as it will = 8" total. the 52 or 56 swap uses stock springs for 4" to begin with. if you use lift 52 or 56 springs its amount of lift x+4"= __ like 2" lift + 4" = 6" total lift.
and with 52 or 56 swap in the front basicly the steering will need to be crossover. stock push pull wont work.
