CK5
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Crew Cab (3+3) questions
- Thread starter Metrodps
- Start date
1. My understanding is 2wd with manual trans is the same as 4x4, but not true with automatics.
2. From the body mounts below the floorboards forward the frames are completely different.
3. IDK
4. Never heard of any frame differences.
5. Different hubs for the front axle on DRW vs SRW
6. Don't think you'd need anything you wouldn't already have. A forklift or crane maybe?
7. IDK
8. I paid $1200 for my 2wd '89 crew cab that was running just fine but needly a front end rebuild very badly.
9. No comment (as per request) and IDK.
2. From the body mounts below the floorboards forward the frames are completely different.
3. IDK
4. Never heard of any frame differences.
5. Different hubs for the front axle on DRW vs SRW
6. Don't think you'd need anything you wouldn't already have. A forklift or crane maybe?
7. IDK
8. I paid $1200 for my 2wd '89 crew cab that was running just fine but needly a front end rebuild very badly.
9. No comment (as per request) and IDK.
One more thing. If your using a pre 80 cab the holes for the hood hinges on the newer trucks are not there.
The rest I think Scott is much more of an authority to comment on
The rest I think Scott is much more of an authority to comment on
To convert a 2wd to a 4x4 using the 2wd frame is a lot of work,you'll need the rear spring hangers,all the front spring hardware for the shackles,you'll be drilling rivets out on all these parts..
Dropping it on a rolling 4x4 frame is a lot easier & faster...
I believe 2wd SM465's are different--they have a bolt on yoke for the driveshaft --you can bolt up a transfer case adapter but the rear output or main haft is different on a 4x4...
Dropping it on a rolling 4x4 frame is a lot easier & faster...
I believe 2wd SM465's are different--they have a bolt on yoke for the driveshaft --you can bolt up a transfer case adapter but the rear output or main haft is different on a 4x4...
Frame? $400 tops. 2WD truck that's been sitting for a while and won't drive home? $1000 tops. Probably less if it's in typical condition. I'd probably offer $200 and $800 if they were both in decent condition. But our prices may not mean much out there.
I think the nickels and dimes of doing it this way will probably be more expensive than simply grabbing a cheap PNW truck and shipping it down there. Not sure about this, but lacking axle (or axles), Tcase, compatible tranny makes this sound like an expensive way to build the FS truck. I'd probably leave the 2WD truck as it is and weld in the front frame section (rather than transplant everything to the donor frame).
Starting with 81/82 is going to drive you batty, as the front clip won't be right. More nickles and dimes.
I think the nickels and dimes of doing it this way will probably be more expensive than simply grabbing a cheap PNW truck and shipping it down there. Not sure about this, but lacking axle (or axles), Tcase, compatible tranny makes this sound like an expensive way to build the FS truck. I'd probably leave the 2WD truck as it is and weld in the front frame section (rather than transplant everything to the donor frame).
Starting with 81/82 is going to drive you batty, as the front clip won't be right. More nickles and dimes.
The rear spring hangers will still have to be changed if you did the frame chop/weld,they are longer on a 4x4...friend of mine tried a swap that way to make his 2wd a 4x4 and the rear end squatted like it was dragging a$$...his frame splice job wasn't done good either, and it dog legged--he bought a 4x4 with a junk engine and ended up swapping his cab and bed on its chassis in the end...
Forgot about that. Given that he wants to ditch the bed (right?), I guess it would be easier to move the cab over to the other frame.
Do you have the ability/location to do the work?
Martin
Martin
