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73-87 Chevy _ GMC Trucks => Crew Cabs => Topic started by: 46binder on August 10, 2014, 12:52:53 pm

Title: crew cab 2wd to 4wd question
Post by: 46binder on August 10, 2014, 12:52:53 pm
I have a 1984 k30 longbed, regular cab with a D60  and Corp 14, 350/t400 and NP205.  Cab is shot, so is bed, and frame has rust thru on rear spring hangers, common.  I just picked up two crew cabs, and a 2wd longbed SRW crew cab frame.  I would like to take the front axle , springs, mounts, etc. and make it 4wd.  I've been searching and it looks possible, but would like to see some pics, maybe some helpful hints from someone else.  In the near future I would like to make it a shortbed too.  Thanks.   
Title: Re: crew cab 2wd to 4wd question
Post by: bake74 on August 10, 2014, 06:57:37 pm
     Sorry no pics, though all have been done before.
Title: Re: crew cab 2wd to 4wd question
Post by: 46binder on August 12, 2014, 05:50:21 pm
So I've been looking at what I got, 1 crew cab is OK, new rockers and good to go.  Its a 88 crew cab.  Looking at the frames, theres some indents where the 2wd crossmember is that is different, 4wd is just straight.  No 4wd rear spring perch hole or bracket obviously, front spring perch would need to be swapped out.  Not sure what has to be done about main crossmember, its obvious ly different.  Just a thought, Ive done front suspension swaps before on car frames, really no different.  Cutting the frame scares some, but what do you think stretch vehicles have.  Thinking of cutting the front 4wd frame behind the trans crossmember, adding a section from donor frame making it a crew cab and lining it up with the rear frame at a point to make it a shortbed at same time.  That way, I can keep the Dana 60 i have, the T400 and NP205, and corp 14.  Only need a driveshaft, not sure if shortbed conversions use a 2 piece.  Any thoughts?
Title: Re: crew cab 2wd to 4wd question
Post by: Captkaos on August 17, 2014, 12:59:01 pm
I swapped my 4x4 K5 to 2WD, all you need is the donor pieces and it can be made to work just by swapping parts.  I see no need in cutting anything.
Title: Re: crew cab 2wd to 4wd question
Post by: mattcrouch1502 on October 14, 2014, 03:50:32 am
It is possible to do and not that bad. I researched it but in the end i was able to find a 4wd rolling chassis and just did the cab swap. here is a link with lots of info that helped me when trying to decide. http://coloradok5.com/forums/showthread.php?t=303347 (http://coloradok5.com/forums/showthread.php?t=303347)
Title: Re: crew cab 2wd to 4wd question
Post by: srodster on December 08, 2014, 07:16:39 pm
I'm doing the exact same.  I will attach some photos this coming weekend.  Stay tuned.  I'm taking a K30 and modifying a C20 CC into 4WD.
Title: Re: crew cab 2wd to 4wd question
Post by: srodster on December 14, 2014, 02:49:47 pm
Some photos, had to put the bed on the frame to finish the exaust this week.
Title: Re: crew cab 2wd to 4wd question
Post by: srodster on December 14, 2014, 02:51:41 pm
3 more photos.