My wife bought me a truck!

[SShultz]

So I just thought I'd brag about my awesome wife a little bit. It turns out that she found a really sweet deal on an 88 crewcab. It's a 2wd with a 454 sm465 combo. The whole truck is in awesome shape and the best part is that she got it for a thousand bucks! Now all I need to do is take the axles and suspension out of the 87 and I'll have the perfect bigblock crewcab 4x4! Any tips on the 2-4wd conversion?
Thanks
SShultz

 

[chevy wrangler]

it would be easier to swap cabs..

 

[Jason4x4]

there is a build thread here in the garage, someone just finished one.

 

[SShultz]

actually both the truck have great bodies are in great shape. I want the 454 and the sm465. I'm pretty sure the 4x4 conversion will be alot easier than a motor swap and going from an auto to a manual.
SShultz

 

[lak2004]

I think a motor swap and auto to manual would still be easier than a 2wd conversion.

EDIT: Here is a thread on a conversion http://coloradok5.com/forums/showthread.php?t=229099&page=3

 

[shaun89]

thats pretty sweet. i love it when my girl friend buys me truck stuff. she bought me a ORD steering brace for my truck. sweet deal on the truck too!

 

[howdiy]

Yeah swapping motors and trannys is going to be a bit easier

 

[bonanza]

Does she have any sisters?

 

[454k30]

4x4 conversion is much harder than swapping a driveline. It would be easier selling the 2wd and buying a 4wd.

 

[MNorby]

I can't imagine a 4x4 swap too hard. Hell just a few spring hangers, shackles and a t-case. Could use some of DIYs stuff to make it easier, especially too since you have a 4x4 to measure off of. Do it, you;ll be fine.

 

[79k20350]

No way a 2wd to 4wd swap is harder. The frames are the same... If you buy kerts b52 kit and rear shackle mounts you have all you need.

 

[howdiy]

Or do it my way and all you don't have to drill any rivets

 

[MNorby]

just torch the heads of the rivets off and pound out with punch and hammer.

 

[buffblazer]

So I just thought I'd brag about my awesome wife a little bit. It turns out that she found a really sweet deal on an 88 crewcab. It's a 2wd with a 454 sm465 combo. The whole truck is in awesome shape and the best part is that she got it for a thousand bucks! Now all I need to do is take the axles and suspension out of the 87 and I'll have the perfect bigblock crewcab 4x4! Any tips on the 2-4wd conversion?
Thanks
SShultz

im calling bull**** on this one until we see pics

 

[SShultz]

OK first let me explain that I have a complete truck with 4wd sitting next to the other right now. I also have a 205 t-case from a 4x4 465. All I should have to do is unbolt everything from the 4x4 take the front end out and bolt it up right?

I'll try to have my wife send me some pics as soon as she can.
SShultz

 

[lak2004]

Nope not even. It is not just bolt up. Search for 4x4 conversion.

 

[toy1267]

So I just thought I'd brag about my awesome wife a little bit. It turns out that she found a really sweet deal on an 88 crewcab. It's a 2wd with a 454 sm465 combo. The whole truck is in awesome shape and the best part is that she got it for a thousand bucks! Now all I need to do is take the axles and suspension out of the 87 and I'll have the perfect bigblock crewcab 4x4! Any tips on the 2-4wd conversion?
Thanks
SShultz

Who ever sold that truck was a damn fool. 1000 bucks, should have sold it for atleast 2500.00. Oh well. Have fun I would just do the 2wd to 4wd conversion.

 

[SShultz]

Well that damn fool would be my brother in law giving me the hookup. Here's some pics for you non believers

I've decided that I'm going to leave it a 2wd and do a body off resto/mod with the red one. Shorten wheelbase. really short bed. When it's all ready I'll throw the 454 in it.
SShultz

 

[Blue85]

The Transfer case doesn't fit under the floor of a 2WD from what I've heard. You have to body lift or cut the floor (swap trans tunnels?)

The front ends are entirely different on the 2x4 and 4x4, so it is not a bolt-on affair.

 

[Wrench]

Leave it 2wd, you need one of each anyway