Convert from 4wd to 2wd

[wayne]

Has anybody ever converted a truck, K5, or Burb from 4wd to a 2wd? I am thinking about building my stock 90 K5 into a lowered (NOT SLAMMED) tubbed out, 2wd pro street ride. I always wanted a 2wd K5 but they are hard to find in good shape for 2 grand or less around here.

 

[muddermilitia]

what the hell? I just sold mine for $550 last week. Anyway, get a donor 2wd truck (or burb) then you can swap the 2wd suspension (crossmember, a-arms, etc.) over to the k-5. For lowering, I would recommend drop spindles. I had 2.5" drop spindles on the truck I sold. You can also get 3" drop spindles but they wont work with 15" wheels unless you do some clearencing to the arm. Here's what mine looked like:

Its been gone for only a week and i miss it

 

[55Willy]

hey Wayne, I'm in the process of doing this to my 68. but mine is gonna be SLAMMED.
using a 81 crossmember and a arms, but 72 spindles so I can run the 88 to 98 6 lug light 3/4 rotors so I dont have to swap the rear axle.

Muddytazz mod'd the crossmember for me so it sits 2" higher in the frame. you can see my lowered front spring hangers still on the frame from it's K series past,LOL. also the front crossmember has since been removed. My crossmember in the pic is about 4" forward. I had to remeasure as I had the 4x4 stuff forward to clear the HEI on the firewall, it has since been moved back properly.

 

[rjpastor]

Is it only me?

Sorry guys, but this seems a little sacreligeous. JK, I wouldn't do it but if that's what you want, go for it.

 

[55Willy]

I'm all about making what you want. Plus GM never made one (TBI fullsize k5 with removable top)

On mine the money from selling the tranny/t case and both axles gave me enough to do the swap and then some.

 

[Dangerousdan]

2_wheel

Great coverage on the conversion. I have done this swap on my '74 and It works for me.

 

[wayne]

Does anybody know the last year that GM made a 2wd K5? I never saw a FI one and if I remember correctly the newest one I saw was around a 82 or 83.

 

[wayne]

Great coverage on the conversion. I have done this swap on my '74 and It works for me.

What all did you do for the swap? I am thinking about using stock parts up front but not sure on the rear. I am thinking about 4 link and coilovers.

 

[wayne]

what the hell? I just sold mine for $550 last week. Anyway, get a donor 2wd truck (or burb) then you can swap the 2wd suspension (crossmember, a-arms, etc.) over to the k-5. For lowering, I would recommend drop spindles. I had 2.5" drop spindles on the truck I sold. You can also get 3" drop spindles but they wont work with 15" wheels unless you do some clearencing to the arm. Here's what mine looked like:

Its been gone for only a week and i miss it

I am planning on a 2wd junker for parts.

 

[pauly383]

Does anybody know the last year that GM made a 2wd K5? I never saw a FI one and if I remember correctly the newest one I saw was around a 82 or 83.

82 it was . All 83's and newer are 4x4 only .

If I was making a 2wd , I would use a fully engineered subframe for like a Nova or Camaro , and whack off the front frame section , and get 5 on 5 rotors and hubs and 5 on 5 rear axles and drums .

 

[muddermilitia]

http://rockford.craigslist.org/car/610478501.html

 

[slyguy_22]

Id just say get the older camaro front and do some disk brakes in the rear. im running to the local scrap yard on monday if the weather holds up and i get all my stuff done this weekend. let me know if you have trouble finding any parts. i always have mondays off and usually can go get what i need at my friends junk yard cheap.

 

[Russell]

I have one of those things, its an 80. I have no need for it, and plan to sell after doing a tub swap on it, and putting in a 350 / 700r4 combo.

I got it dirt cheap simply for the NOS sheet metal it came with to put onto my K25

 

[wayne]

Id just say get the older camaro front and do some disk brakes in the rear. im running to the local scrap yard on monday if the weather holds up and i get all my stuff done this weekend. let me know if you have trouble finding any parts. i always have mondays off and usually can go get what i need at my friends junk yard cheap.

Thanks for the offer. I don't think finding the parts will be hard. I am in no rush to do this as it will wind up being a long term project. I'm just looking for ideas right now and getting a plan together to do this. It has to be a driver when finished so the engine will not be that wild and trans will most likely be a 700r4. The rear will be a 12 bolt with 4.10's or 4.56's depending on tire hight.

 

[slyguy_22]

Id be curious to check it out once you get started on it let me know ill stop up and check it out. Does this me your not gona come wheeling with us at rausch creek?

 

[kgblazerfive]

There is one out here set up for bags for $800 with no motor

 

[Dangerousdan]

Low Down

One Two Three, After removing the 4x4 front crossmember you replace it with '73- '80 2x4 crossmember. On the front I sectioned the upper A arms 2" with shorter springs that gave me 4" in the front. the rear was even easer. You flop the rearend ontop of the springs and walla. You have a nice handler.

 

[wayne]

Id be curious to check it out once you get started on it let me know ill stop up and check it out. Does this me your not gona come wheeling with us at rausch creek?

I have 2 90 K5's. I like the idea of a built 4x4 and a nice 2wd one to go with it.

 

[wayne]

One Two Three, After removing the 4x4 front crossmember you replace it with '73- '80 2x4 crossmember. On the front I sectioned the upper A arms 2" with shorter springs that gave me 4" in the front. the rear was even easer. You flop the rearend ontop of the springs and walla. You have a nice handler.

Being mine is a 90, shouldn't I use a 81 and up 2wd crossmember? I am thinking about just getting a 2wd frame and suspension from a friend of mine.

 

[slyguy_22]

I would. it should all fit in nicely an with the after market companies today you can set that front suspension up to handle as nice as if you stock a camaro or nova front under, acctually probly better. What motor you gona run in it?