K5 Blazer 2wd to 4wd

[rattlesnakewrangler]

I read a few threads about this how hard is it to take a 81 k5 Blazer 2wd and make it a 4wd using a 1990 3/4 4x4 Suburban with a 454 I got a good deal on the Blazer and the burban has great running gear any help would be great full thanks

 

[Fry]

Its lots of work, all front and rear spring hangers have to be install into the 2wd frame, 4wd crossmember, etc.
I think the biggest deal is making sure you have everything straight and square when mounting the front crap.

 

[KansasTwister]

Its lots of work, all front and rear spring hangers have to be install into the 2wd frame, 4wd crossmember, etc.
I think the biggest deal is making sure you have everything straight and square when mounting the front crap.

Trade frames, there is a 4x4 73-91 k5 that wants to be a 2wd somewhere, plenty of 4x4s.

 

[Col_Sanders]

Yep. Not that many 2wds out there, you shouldnt tear it up. Just start with a 4x4.

 

[scotto0609]

I agree,but dont get rid of the suburban drivetrain!!

 

[82355]

Yep. Not that many 2wds out there, you shouldnt tear it up. Just start with a 4x4.

The less there are, the better.

Martin

 

[noJeepshere]

No the 2wd's have a certain coolness about them, and they're rare, so keep the 2wd Blazer as it is and find a 4x4 one to fix up to be a wheeler.

 

[Col_Sanders]

The less there are, the better.

Martin

Nothing wrong with 2wd. I'd like to have one.

 

[muddermilitia]

Nothing wrong with 2wd. I'd like to have one.

Agreed, I used to have one and I wish i still had it. 4x4s are a dime a dozen, just start with that

 

[blazinzuk]

so you have a 2wd blazer frame? wanna trade for a 4 wheel drive one

 

[82355]

It makes me sad that GM ever built and sold a 2wd Blazer/Jimmy. What is the point???

Martin

 

[4x4shortbed]

I believe the 2wd front crossmember unbolts. Pull that out, use the spring hangars, shackle mounts, and engine mount crossmember, and suspension/swaybar from the 'burb. The framerails are suposedly the same, its just a matter of bolting the 'burb parts on the Blazer(use grade 8 bolts...). AFAIK you have to change the rear leafspring hangars/brackets too, or lift the rear suspension cause the 2wd had different brackets.......

lots of work? I guess....... If I had the extra time and the parts on hand I'd go for it tho. I don't understand why nobody just bolts in a 2wd crossmember in a 4x4 K5 if they want a hotrod lol

Good luck with it & post pics!

-John

 

[KansasTwister]

I believe the 2wd front crossmember unbolts. Pull that out, use the spring hangars, shackle mounts, and engine mount crossmember, and suspension/swaybar from the 'burb. The framerails are suposedly the same, its just a matter of bolting the 'burb parts on the Blazer(use grade 8 bolts...). AFAIK you have to change the rear leafspring hangars/brackets too, or lift the rear suspension cause the 2wd had different brackets.......

lots of work? I guess....... If I had the extra time and the parts on hand I'd go for it tho. I don't understand why nobody just bolts in a 2wd crossmember in a 4x4 K5 if they want a hotrod lol

Good luck with it & post pics!

-John

Actually, lots of 69-72 guys and then 73-87 guys are doing that. Saw one guy take the 4x4 stuff from the 86k5 he had and put it in an 82 c10,l and took the 2wd stuff into the blazer.


I like most of the 2wd c10s and k5s out there, my dd is a longbed 77 c10. 73-87 2wds are way better than a honda with a coffee can.

 

[AuH2O]

As others have already said, don't do it! The few 2X4's that remain should be considered cultural relics, and 4WD modification of them should be considered heresy. If you want a 4X4, then you buy a 4X4.

(...and sell your 2X4 to someone who will take better care of it).

 

[blazinzuk]

As others have already said, don't do it! The few 2X4's that remain should be considered cultural relics, and 4WD modification of them should be considered heresy. If you want a 4X4, then you buy a 4X4.

(...and sell your 2X4 to someone who will take better care of it).

Hey man already offered to trade him for a 4wd frame. Although what I have planned is not a total restoration but resto mod of sorts

 

[Metrodps]

PLEASE DON"T do it!

I would of loved to of won this one. I missed the end got messed up on time. $330.00

http://cgi.ebay.com/ws/eBayISAPI.dll?ViewItem&item=270497131301&ssPageName=STRK:MEWAX:IT

As all have said the 2x4 is a rare breed almost as rare as long bed step sides!

 

[American84K5]

It makes me sad that GM ever built and sold a 2wd Blazer/Jimmy. What is the point???

Martin

This is the point

Yeah, I worship that K5.

Mine will be getting the same treatment as that Blazer

 

[doctor4x4]

I agree please dont kill a 2wd stock frame
I had 1 and miss it also ( I dropped it on the ground and it cornered better then my mercedes )
so i had my dropped K5 like 4 " off the ground and my pumped up K5 with 8 " lift i had em both painted the same color ( dark blue and white so people would freak out when i would switch em out for the commute to work :-) 2 much Fun

 

[AuH2O]

Hey man already offered to trade him for a 4wd frame. Although what I have planned is not a total restoration but resto mod of sorts

Alright, alright. No hard feelings! You see so few 2WD ones around anymore, so I just wanted you to think it over one more time. Finding somebody who wants that frame shouldn't be too hard, and you'd be doing your patriotic duty by keeping one more on the road!

This is the point

It is indeed nice, except for the Mexican ride height...

 

[American84K5]

Lol it doesn't have a C-notch in the back. So when he lets the air out of the helper bags the diff just rests on the frame