3/4 ton 2wd to 4x4 swap

[Cuttyman9]

Has anyone converted to 4x4 on a 3/4 ton 2wd without switching frames?

I'm hoping to use a later axle (d44) with leafs and all and just making the mounting points match.

I plan to switch to an sm465 with whatever Tcase it comes with.

Any tips from someone who's done it?

Google had mostly frame swaps (which aren't a straight swap)


My truck is a 1966 Chevrolet (I know boo.... no GMC but it's getting a built up gmc v6! So don't worry) C20 long bed.
I have access to an 8 lug front axle and leafs for 175 so I just need steering components, drivelines and small stuff.




Thank you for your input!

[bigblockv6]

Early SM465 from 1968-69 came with the Rockwell T221 Transfer Case that was mated directly to the Transmission, later trucks with the SM-465 came with the New Process 205 Transfer Case. On my 68 I actually converted from the Rockwell to the New Process 205:upyes:

[Cuttyman9]

Good to know! I'm not certain what era trans I'll be buying but hopefully one that either has the T case or matches the 208 or 241 my friend has.

[AZKen]

I have done 2wd to 4x4 on 55-59. But that was leaf to leaf. You have coil in front AND rear? ouch!
Lots of things to consider. Obviously the front and read diff ratios have to be the same. A great opportunity to use a 205 and open knuckle. The 205 is the best Xfer case among all the earlier models. No aluminum and no chains. Sounds like a fairly big swap. IMO, it is always better to use the existing frame unless you find an actual donor 4x4 chassis from that era.

[Cuttyman9]

Yeah, I plan to retain the rear coil spring setup and the eaton.

I only have the front to deal with which isn't all that hard as the K member unbolts so it's a matter of lining up the mounting of the leafs and steering.

Did yours just require unbolting the I beam and bolting up the solid axle?

[AZKen]

On the 56, took off entire front axle and leaf springs and replaced with 4x4 axle and leaf springs/steering/205. Donor had disc brakes and power steering also.

Can't imagine leaving coil on rear. I did a shackle flip on rear to get high and level. I think you are in for a big mess.
My advice: sell your truck and buy a 4x4 or.....buy a 6066 4x4 chassis and sell your chassis. You are headed for a Frankentruck.

[1972RedNeck]

I am working on buying a '61 K1500 and a '63 K2500 - both with a 305 and both with rough bodies. I might be willing to part with one of them which would be a great candidate for a body swap...

[Cuttyman9]

I appreciate the advice and input but I'm keeping the rear setup. I expected this response but I'm only interested in someone who's done it without switching chassis's or selling the truck.

If anyone's done a 4x4 conversion on a 2wd C20/10 I'm all ears.

Thank you.

[1972RedNeck]

I appreciate the advice and input but I'm keeping the rear setup. I expected this response but I'm only interested in someone who's done it without switching chassis's or selling the truck.

If anyone's done a 4x4 conversion on a 2wd C20/10 I'm all ears.

Thank you.

I never have but my brother and I have talked about it a fair bit. While it would be easy to fab a new front crossmemeber to hold the front of the springs (think Ford Highboy) and some shackle mounts in the rear, it will ride more like a Ford Highboy when we get done in the front, and still float in the back.

What I would like to do some year when I get lots of time and money (yeah right), is to take the front suspension/axle out of a late '96 to '99 and fab it under the front of a '60 to '72 GM pickup. This would give a fantastic ride in the front and rear and be quite unique.

For the height problem in the rear, I don't see why it wouldn't be easy to just "flip" the axle to the bottom of the trailing arms for a good 3" - 4" of lift.

[Funky61]

Here's a thread and with information and a link to someone who has done it.

http://www.67-72chevytrucks.com/vboard/showthread.php?t=727858

[Cuttyman9]

awesome 1972redneck, that's actually a pretty good point about flipping the rear I'll have to see where the ride height ends up because at this point I'm not certain.

I'd like to find period correct wheels of some kind. Something deep from the 60's/70's/80's in 16"

The way I look at it is I have 8 other vehicles to make comfy, this is an old truck so ride is not my concern in this one. I just need something 4x4 and I'm invested in this truck.

I'm thinking I'll buy a tubular universal crossmember and weld that in to support the motor (as the factory one unbolts and is attached to the front suspension) and then weld up perches or box wherever I need to add the leafs.

Awesome funky61, I appreciate it! For some reason all that was coming up in my searches were chassis swaps.

[Cuttyman9]

http://i1307.photobucket.com/albums/s589/cuttyman9/8A0AFECB-695A-4C2E-A03E-4DD1A7F92CD6_zpshrc7ezow.jpg (http://s1307.photobucket.com/user/cuttyman9/media/8A0AFECB-695A-4C2E-A03E-4DD1A7F92CD6_zpshrc7ezow.jpg.html)

Not super exciting but it's a 10 Bolt front axle.

Might swap to high steer and hook it all up.
If you aren't on my other post I'm hoping this will live with the blown gmc v6 power!

[1972RedNeck]

Going to stick with the Eaton rear or upgrade to something like a Dana 80 with 3.55's that can handle the power and drop your RPM's?

[Cuttyman9]

I plan to keep the eaton.
I am considering 37's to counter the big gearing.
Or potentially finding a 4.10 drop out for it and match the gearing up front.

My plan is to flip the eaton housing so it mounts underneath and box the arms and swap the bushings.
The front I've found a few lift setups for later trucks that are a weld on solution which will help me in getting everything lined up because they have the front perchs would line everything up.

I thought I found front converted eaton but sadly I think it's been sold