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Grafting a 4x4 front end to a 2wd frame

T_Spurger

T_Spurger

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How hard would it be to put a 73-87 4x4 front frame piece onto a 73-87 2wd frame? The reason i am not considering a frame swap is because it is going to be on a crew cab truck and finding a crew cab 4x4 is near impossible. I have all of the suspension pieces ie. dana 60 14 bolt np205. What problems may i run into. Any info will be greatly appereciated.

Thanks

Tim
 
I'm not sure about that, but you could put the quad cab on a long bed 4x4 frame and make it a short box. I don't know if that is an exact fit, you might have to bob the bed a little bit. But, it is another option.
 
the crew cab 1 ton frame is about 2 inches taller under the cab than a 1/2 or 3/4 ton frame
 
I would think it would be easier to just transfer all the necessary brackets from the 4wd frame to the 2wd frame, ie: spring hangers, motor mount x-member, etc. Someone correct me if I'm wrong but I believe that 2wd and 4wd frames are the same dimensionally, just different suspensions.

Grafting the front of the frame isn't difficult IMO, it just takes time and adequate welding skills. Just don't cut the frame joint square (straight) It should either be cut at an angle (//)or in a 'Z' shape. And then fishplate the inside, properly stitch welding it.
 
Captainfab said:
I would think it would be easier to just transfer all the necessary brackets from the 4wd frame to the 2wd frame, ie: spring hangers, motor mount x-member, etc. Someone correct me if I'm wrong but I believe that 2wd and 4wd frames are the same dimensionally, just different suspensions.

Grafting the front of the frame isn't difficult IMO, it just takes time and adequate welding skills. Just don't cut the frame joint square (straight) It should either be cut at an angle (//)or in a 'Z' shape. And then fishplate the inside, properly stitch welding it.
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i have read the same thing numerous times that the front of the frames are the same just different crosmembers and brackets rivited on. i have a 73 crewcab single rear wheel thats 2wd. i am thinking of converting it to 4wd to keep from getting stuck ion the sand while towing my trailer to the sand dunes. hopefully i will get some time this weekend to take a look at the 73 truck and my blazer and compare the frames.
 
i swapped an 84 out with 79 front end just make some good measurements and make holes in the frame i bolted everytrhing on that was once rivited on... not all that horrible a job. time consumin nothin a like minded individual with some stringline and some plumbobs and a torch can't handle
 
Im currently building a crew cab I started with a 2wd cab and chassis model.
I thought about swapping frames and also using a long bed reg cab frame. But in the end its actualy easier to just convert the original frame to 4wd. You need to remove the engine crossmember and replace it with either a 4x4 version or a custom like mine. You can actualy buy the custom parts needed or build them yourself or get them from a 4x4 frame. You should look in the blogs section I have my build up there with pics.

The long bed reg cab frame needs mods to the rear floor of the crew cab, and you will end up needing a 3" body lift in the front and progressively smaller towards the rear.

Personaly I say convert the frame you have. Its a little bit of work but so are the other options. Just remember to measure, measure, measure, then measure again. You dont want it tracking sideways down the road.
 
kevin400ex said:
i have read the same thing numerous times that the front of the frames are the same just different crosmembers and brackets rivited on. i have a 73 crewcab single rear wheel thats 2wd. i am thinking of converting it to 4wd to keep from getting stuck ion the sand while towing my trailer to the sand dunes. hopefully i will get some time this weekend to take a look at the 73 truck and my blazer and compare the frames.
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I have done it and it is a breeze, or you can keep the 2wd front crossmember and setup a 4WD coil spring front end.

The frames are almost the same and have alot of the 4WD bolt holes dimpled in the frame for drilling.
 
i have read that a 4x cab has taller tranny tunnel, some1 i know put a 2wd cab on a 4x and they had to use a body lift for cab to clear...you might want to check into this also
 
I just drilled out the spot welds on my 2wd tunnel and replaced it with a 4wd tunnel. Much easier than switching cabs. :)
 
My crew cab started life as a 2 wheeler.

Tunnel has to be changed or altered.

Old suspension can be completely removed.

You can put on all the 4x4 spring hangers on your frame. Bolt patterns from body mounts on the front end of the spring hanger assembly are different if I recall.

Shackle frame eye hanger,you'll have to clearance the frame a smidge for shackle swing.
 
3 link

would it be easier to build a 3 link using the coil spring buckets? just thinking that it would make a easier/cleaner better riding suspension. does anyone know the measurement from center to center of the buckets?
 
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Any sort of suspension other than leafs will give you a better ride, and in most cases, more flex. I don't think I would want 3 link on a dd though. But I'm paranoid. I'd go with a 4 link. More mounting points, great flex, and stable.

The center to center of the buckets relies entirely on your frame. The radius of the spring, plus a 1/4" past the end of your frame. Of course, that can change as you build it too. I dropped a full width 44 under an older Bronco and left the perches where they were on the axle. Used 2x6 steel tubing to move the frame buckets to the right spot. It gave me a free 4" lift.
 
blazin_blazer said:
i have read that a 4x cab has taller tranny tunnel, some1 i know put a 2wd cab on a 4x and they had to use a body lift for cab to clear...you might want to check into this also
Click to expand...

I did a body swap with a 2wd standard cab over onto my m1008 k30 a few months back, and I didnt need a body lift for it to clear. There isnt a whole lot of room, but atleast 2-3 inches between the tunnel and the th400 thats in it now.

Remington
 
blazin_blazer said:
i have read that a 4x cab has taller tranny tunnel, some1 i know put a 2wd cab on a 4x and they had to use a body lift for cab to clear...you might want to check into this also
Click to expand...
I know the tunnels are different. I changed out my rusty cab when building and got a 2 wheel cab, when I ordered the new rubber mat from LMC I ended up modifying it to fit without wrinkles. The linkage for my old 208 lined right up tho due to my 3" body lift:wink1:
 
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