Make a 4wd into a 2wd?

[TheRealJimmy]

Question for all the K5/Jimmy guys out there. I have a 1990 Gmc Jimmy that I have restored and now I’m starting to think about making it a 2wd instead of a four-wheel-drive has anybody on here done that before? If so, let me know. Researching information on what all it would take

 

[Blue85]

I think there's something against that in the Bible. It may be related to the other sin of K5 lowering.

The whole front suspension is different between the 2, so you have to basically cut everything off both the donor and recipient to swap. The cleanest way is probably a frame swap, or start with one of the rare factory handicapped (2WD) K5s, if you can find one.

 

[sweetk30]

Front clip for parts or splice feame in . Then 2wd hangers in rear .

Better to find clean frame and body swap .

 

[imiceman44]

Question for all the K5/Jimmy guys out there. I have a 1990 Gmc Jimmy that I have restored and now I’m starting to think about making it a 2wd instead of a four-wheel-drive has anybody on here done that before? If so, let me know. Researching information on what all it would take

I know a couple of members here did say they wanted to but eventually abandoned the project.
It's really easy if you find a 2wd truck and get the parts from it, it's all bolt in

 

[AugustDiesel]

I used to have all the parts, but I’ve sold them off already. It’s true tho, that it’s all bolt in.

 

[imiceman44]

I used to have all the parts, but I’ve sold them off already. It’s true tho, that it’s all bolt in.

Yeah I never got to sell any, I scrapped about a dozen 2wd trucks

 

[tarussell]

Question for all the K5/Jimmy guys out there. I have a 1990 Gmc Jimmy that I have restored and now I’m starting to think about making it a 2wd instead of a four-wheel-drive has anybody on here done that before? If so, let me know. Researching information on what all it would take

Put the crackpipe down and never partake of it again.

As ole Blue85 stated it might be mentioned in the Bible, somewhere between Genesis and Revelations, that Thou shall not disgrace Thyself or any other Brethren by discarding blessed drive to all four wheels.
If Thou hath been given generously the gift of 4WD then accept it gracefully and do not wish, long or hope for anything less.
Now go forth with drive to all four tires as by design in the name of traction and don’t look back least Ye’ be stuck in a rut.

I may have paraphrased and taken some verbal liberties here and there but ya’ get the gist.

 

[Mateas]

Instead of getting factory front suspension, I'd go out to someone like Porter Built Fab and get a front Stage 3 dropmember, slap airbags on and riiiiiiiiide.

You are being redirected...

 

[imiceman44]

Instead of getting factory front suspension, I'd go out to someone like Porter Built Fab and get a front Stage 3 dropmember, slap airbags on and riiiiiiiiide.

You are being redirected...

We are cheap, we go for used oem technologies, sometimes repurposed

 

[Keitha]

Just take out the front drive shaft...



sorry, is this not helpful?

 

[Blue85]

The easiest way would be to keep the leaf springs and solid front axle. All you really need is a 2WD trans and new driveshaft. 1 step up would be finding/making a beam axle fit. That may let you ride a little lower. But isn't the whole point to get coil springs and control arms? AFAIK, finding a 2WD K5 is hard (I've never even seen one). You could get all of the stuff out of a C10, but those are all getting scooped up now.

Better to fix up a C10 and keep both.

 

[Babaganoosh]

I helped my buddy do this on a 73 full top, it wasn't to hard we even pancaked the cross member it's on bags and lays frame.

 

[folkenheath]

Question for all the K5/Jimmy guys out there. I have a 1990 Gmc Jimmy that I have restored and now I’m starting to think about making it a 2wd instead of a four-wheel-drive has anybody on here done that before? If so, let me know. Researching information on what all it would take

That's very easy, just remove the front driveshaft. You can always put it back if you decide you want 4WD again....

EDIT: now I see @Keitha beat me to it.

 

[eodcoduto]

Leave the transfer case in 2wd?