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General Site Info => General Discussion => Topic started by: zieg85 on January 11, 2017, 02:41:08 PM

Title: 1999 on up pickups
Post by: zieg85 on January 11, 2017, 02:41:08 PM
Anyone on here know how feasible it is to make a 2500HD 2 wheel drive into a 4 wheel drive.  Laying under my 2 wheel drive it doesn't look like it would take much.  May need to consult another forum but I really don't want to if I can help it...
Title: Re: 1999 on up pickups
Post by: hatzie on January 11, 2017, 05:14:42 PM
Sell the 2wd and buy a 4wd.  The GM T800 chassis trucks are getting pretty cheap.   You can probably find a no-rust 3/4 ton 4wd 6.0L or at least a 5.3L from out West in pretty decent shape for not a lot of money.  If you're willing to swap out a dead transmission and clean out the interior after a slob previous owner your options get much better and the prices drop fairly sharply.
I stay away from cigarette smoked interiors.  Electronics don't like smoke residue and I don't like the smell that you can never really get rid of.
Filthy dirty carpet and seats are nothing a trip the the laundromat and a few cups of Dr Bronners Hemp oil Peppermint Castile Hippey soap won't fix.  The seat covers come right off and the carpet comes right out.  Foams will fit in a big washer, carpet in another, and the seat covers aren't bulkier than maybe 6 pairs of jeans. Three HOT washes with Simple Green and then one or two with 1/2 cup of Dr Bronners Peppermint soap each will kill all smells and wash out most if not all the dirt.  Peppermint oil will kill fungi and mold as well.  Stains? Get real...  It's a pickup truck.  You can add a driver seat heater while the cover is off the foams.  |
Less than $200 will get you brandy spanking new carpet or, even better, new vinyl floor covering for that wipe up with a sponge cleanup..
Title: Re: 1999 on up pickups
Post by: zieg85 on January 11, 2017, 05:39:56 PM
Sell the 2wd and buy a 4wd.  The GM T800 chassis trucks are getting pretty cheap.   You can probably find a no-rust 3/4 ton 4wd 6.0L or at least a 5.3L from out West in pretty decent shape for not a lot of money.  If you're willing to swap out a dead transmission and clean out the interior after a slob previous owner your options get much better and the prices drop fairly sharply.
I stay away from cigarette smoked interiors.  Electronics don't like smoke residue and I don't like the smell that you can never really get rid of.
Filthy dirty carpet and seats are nothing a trip the the laundromat and a few cups of Dr Bronners Hemp oil Peppermint Castile Hippey soap won't fix.  The seat covers come right off and the carpet comes right out.  Foams will fit in a big washer, carpet in another, and the seat covers aren't bulkier than maybe 6 pairs of jeans. Three HOT washes with Simple Green and then one or two with 1/2 cup of Dr Bronners Peppermint soap each will kill all smells and wash out most if not all the dirt.  Peppermint oil will kill fungi and mold as well.  Stains? Get real...  It's a pickup truck.  You can add a driver seat heater while the cover is off the foams.  |
Less than $200 will get you brandy spanking new carpet or, even better, new vinyl floor covering for that wipe up with a sponge cleanup..
I am not going to buy another but thanks for your thoughtful reply.
Title: Re: 1999 on up pickups
Post by: VileZambonie on January 11, 2017, 05:58:50 PM
Just because I believe it will nickle and dime you and beyond, I would recommend buying a parts truck rather than trying to piece it together with sought after parts or do a body swap from a 4x4 unit. Why do you want to convert it, are you driving in snow a lot?
Title: Re: 1999 on up pickups
Post by: zieg85 on January 11, 2017, 07:32:00 PM
Just because I believe it will nickle and dime you and beyond, I would recommend buying a parts truck rather than trying to piece it together with sought after parts or do a body swap from a 4x4 unit. Why do you want to convert it, are you driving in snow a lot?
A little snow make it useless.  I see junk ones around my year for cheap, bodies are falling off these trucks.  Mechanically mine runs fine and I don't have any rust yet.  I haven't gotten under a 4x4 but being under mine it looks like different front hubs, hang a front differential in the empty space, and put new front drive axles.  Looks way easier than converting a 73-87 anyway. 
Title: Re: 1999 on up pickups
Post by: 1967KaiserM715 on January 11, 2017, 07:59:11 PM
I know someone doing the conversion, there are a couple bushings for the diff mount that are not service replaceable, meaning you need a 4wd frame to get the bushings, beyond that I'm not to sure what else is needed.


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Title: Re: 1999 on up pickups
Post by: zieg85 on January 11, 2017, 08:36:25 PM
I know someone doing the conversion, there are a couple bushings for the diff mount that are not service replaceable, meaning you need a 4wd frame to get the bushings, beyond that I'm not to sure what else is needed.


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Good to know, thanks
Title: Re: 1999 on up pickups
Post by: 1967KaiserM715 on January 11, 2017, 08:49:43 PM
Here's a link to one some one done:

http://www.dieselplace.com/forum/76-speciality-forums/125-drivetrain-2001-2010/871098-converting-04-sierra-3500-2wd-4wd.html

I would rate the difficulty the same as doing a 4wd swap on a 73-87 truck, you do need to measure and mount the bushings and brackets correctly.
Title: Re: 1999 on up pickups
Post by: LTZ C20 on January 11, 2017, 11:46:35 PM
My 02 2500 is a 4x4.
Title: Re: 1999 on up pickups
Post by: Stewart G Griffin on January 12, 2017, 07:14:52 AM
To much work unless you have a shop.  (and a team of mechanics ;D)   Buy another one


OR

Why not try chains or very chunky snow tires on ALL FOUR wheels?

Now there IS a guy putting a 67 gmc body on a newer like 2009-ish chassis. i believe he actually finished it. Can't find the link right now, but again too much work.
Title: Re: 1999 on up pickups
Post by: Irish_Alley on January 12, 2017, 07:32:09 AM
we just hit with a small snow storm here in Delaware. i kept my 01 4x4 in 2wd all the time, only had to put it in 4x4 while backing into the parking spot at work and that was just to make it easy. i think tires are the best thing, even in a 4x4 if you have crappy tires you can get stuck easy. im really happy with the tires i just put on my 01 just a few weeks ago.

and a few years ago when we had another snow storm i was able to do pretty good in my 4x2 and out performed my mud truck (after i broke the front driveshaft)
Title: Re: 1999 on up pickups
Post by: VileZambonie on January 12, 2017, 05:51:30 PM
Just because I believe it will nickle and dime you and beyond, I would recommend buying a parts truck rather than trying to piece it together with sought after parts or do a body swap from a 4x4 unit. Why do you want to convert it, are you driving in snow a lot?
A little snow make it useless.

Have you thought about trying a posi first and seeing how you like it?
Title: Re: 1999 on up pickups
Post by: zieg85 on January 12, 2017, 07:20:20 PM

[/quote]

Have you thought about trying a posi first and seeing how you like it?
[/quote]

After the replies that is exactly what I am going to try.  Any recommendations?  It is the corporate 14 bolt full float.
Title: Re: 1999 on up pickups
Post by: LTZ C20 on January 12, 2017, 09:04:01 PM


Have you thought about trying a posi first and seeing how you like it?
[/quote]

After the replies that is exactly what I am going to try.  Any recommendations?  It is the corporate 14 bolt full float.
[/quote]
there's no reason in world to change to any other rear end on that truck. the only rear end better than that one is the one that came with the Duramax diesel and unless your going to put a Duramax in, there's no reason to swap in a diesel rear end.
Title: Re: 1999 on up pickups
Post by: hatzie on January 12, 2017, 09:14:50 PM
Eaton and Auburn make clutch pak Limited Slip (Positraction) carriers similar to automobile positracs. 

Detroit makes a unit they call "Trutrac".  It's a Torsen Limited Slip carrier for the 10.5" Full Floating 14bolt similar in design to the M998 and newer models of the HMMWV.

Beyond that there are honest to goodness locking differential carriers.  Both Automatic like the Stock GM Eaton G80 and manual locking.
Title: Re: 1999 on up pickups
Post by: Engineer on January 12, 2017, 10:18:22 PM
Myself, I would do a solid axle swap on it.

Gobs of kits out there that use 52" square body springs in the front and whatever axle you prefer.
Title: Re: 1999 on up pickups
Post by: VileZambonie on January 13, 2017, 06:08:08 PM
I would highly recommend a limited slip differential as I am not a fan of lockers for street/daily drivers.
Title: Re: 1999 on up pickups
Post by: zieg85 on January 13, 2017, 06:40:36 PM
I would highly recommend a limited slip differential as I am not a fan of lockers for street/daily drivers.

Pricey versus a spool but I know how dangerous having both wheel moving at the same time around corners.  Guess it is time to start saving up.
Title: Re: 1999 on up pickups
Post by: VileZambonie on January 13, 2017, 06:56:10 PM
a spool?  :o Is this strictly off road use?
Title: Re: 1999 on up pickups
Post by: zieg85 on January 13, 2017, 07:09:38 PM
a spool?  :o Is this strictly off road use?

No, a street truck.  I was just mentioning the price difference. Looking for a limited slip.
Title: Re: 1999 on up pickups
Post by: VileZambonie on January 14, 2017, 12:28:35 PM
Well they will never be in the ballpark since a spool isn't a differential. Having an LSD makes a huge difference.