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73-87 Chevy _ GMC Trucks => 4 Wheel Drives => Topic started by: red4x4gmc on January 17, 2006, 04:06:00 pm

Title: 2wd to 4wd conversion?
Post by: red4x4gmc on January 17, 2006, 04:06:00 pm

I have a '78 blazer 4x4, and a '78 1/2 ton 2wd short bed pickup. Wanting to know if the frames are the same, and can I put the front suspension from the blazer under the 2wd frame with little to no modification to the frame? Blazer is full of Cancer, but good drivetrain.

Title: Re: 2wd to 4wd conversion?
Post by: roundedline on January 17, 2006, 05:15:00 pm

The frame of a pickup is longer than a Blazer and it is entirely different.  You cannot swap the pickup body parts on the Blazer and make a truck.  The front suspension will swap over though.

Chris Lucas
www.73-87chevytrucks.com
www.captkaoscustoms.com
Project Su
Jimmy 2WD Project

Edited by: roundedline at: 1/18/06 11:33 am

Title: Re:2x4 to 4x4 conv.
Post by: red4x4gmc on January 18, 2006, 10:14:00 am

So, your telling me that firewall forward, the frames are the same? I am wanting to take leaf spring hangers, leaf springs and front axle from the blazer and put it under the 2wd truck frame. I've never done this conv. before and have little exp. with 2wd frames of this era, but 20+ yrs with 4wd of the '73-'87. Any insight to this conversion would be helpful.

Title: Re: Re:2x4 to 4x4 conv.
Post by: roundedline on January 18, 2006, 10:36:00 am

Yes. ONLY the framerails are the same from about the door post forward.  If you unbolt the front suspesnion crossmember from a 4x2 and remove the 4x4 suspension pieces the 4x2 crossmember will roll under it and fit.

Chris Lucas
www.73-87chevytrucks.com
www.captkaoscustoms.com
Project Su
Jimmy 2WD Project

Title: Re: 2wd to 4wd conversion?
Post by: Blazin on January 18, 2006, 01:59:00 pm

But the 4x4 rear spring hangers are taller than a 2x4s and Blazers are also diferent. You will need to go to a salvage yard and get the 4x4 ones to swap out. other wise it will end up with the front end higher than the back. If a stock looking bed is not a big deal to you I have done a few pickup cab to Blazer frame swaps. The bed area is a bit shorter. I just built them from steel. One I slid the rear axle and springs back about four inches, then took a step side bed, slid the fenders forward to match the tires.

Title: re:2x4 to 4x4 conv.
Post by: red4x4gmc on January 18, 2006, 03:35:00 pm

Roundedlines, I'm wanting to go the other way though. 2wd to 4wd. I noticed the hole for the shackles in the frame, for the rear of the springs are not there, but the rivet holes are there. Measure and drill I guess.
Its a '78, 1/2 ton swb step side, 400, th350,373:1.
The Blazer is '78 350,th350, full time 203? or 205? cast iron t-case.

Title: Re: re:2x4 to 4x4 conv.
Post by: roundedline on January 19, 2006, 02:38:00 pm

Yes, they will still swap.  The rear suspension hangers will be different 4x4 vs 4x2.  Not sure that the k5's hangers will be the same, can't remember.

Chris Lucas
www.73-87chevytrucks.com
www.captkaoscustoms.com
Project Su
Jimmy 2WD Project

Title: Re:2x4 to 4x4 conv.
Post by: red4x4gmc on January 19, 2006, 03:08:00 pm

Thanks guys, we're gonna go for it. Will keep you posted on our progress, so check back in case we have tech questions.

Title: Re: Re:2x4 to 4x4 conv.
Post by: roundedline on January 20, 2006, 11:31:00 am

Cool, Here is something to think about concerning the rear 2wd suspension.

www.coloradok5.com/shackleflip.shtml

Chris Lucas
www.73-87chevytrucks.com
www.captkaoscustoms.com
Project Su
Jimmy 2WD Project