Author Topic: Frame differences?  (Read 5740 times)

Offline BADAZ chevy guy

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Frame differences?
« on: April 13, 2014, 12:03:52 pm »
I know everyone says there's no differences between the 4x4 SWB and the 2WD SWB. Does that mean the 4x4 frame has all the holes to bolt the front suspension for a 2WD? I want to get a frame and start a rolling chassis for the build on my 1977 SWB 2WD. I found a frame for $150.00 but just found out it's from a 4x4. I just want to make sure it will work before I fork out money!

Offline thirsty

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Re: Frame differences?
« Reply #1 on: April 13, 2014, 12:55:10 pm »
They are different. All the holes won't be there. I also found that the wheel arch is different.
I converted a 2wd to 4wd by making jigs off my old frame to locate holes. The two frames I used were a 78 4wd and a 79 2wd. If I had to do it over again I would cut the frames and weld them together. Mine was perfect from the cab forward but rusted in the back.
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Offline bake74

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Re: Frame differences?
« Reply #2 on: April 13, 2014, 07:11:12 pm »
They are different. All the holes won't be there. I also found that the wheel arch is different.
I converted a 2wd to 4wd by making jigs off my old frame to locate holes. The two frames I used were a 78 4wd and a 79 2wd. If I had to do it over again I would cut the frames and weld them together. Mine was perfect from the cab forward but rusted in the back.

     X2 on what thirsty said, it is doable with some drilling and grade 8 bolts.
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  74 k10, 77k10    Tom

Offline BADAZ chevy guy

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Re: Frame differences?
« Reply #3 on: April 13, 2014, 09:28:13 pm »
Thank you, thirsty & bake74 for your replies. Curiosity got the best of me and I drove to Salt Lake to actually look at the frame in question. the reason I wanted a second frame was to make the build easier. This frame isn't going to let me do that. There's just to many things I'd have to change.  I'm still on the lookout for a 2WD SWB frame locally and I'll go from there.

Offline Captkaos

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Re: Frame differences?
« Reply #4 on: April 15, 2014, 07:04:02 pm »
The Frame Rails are the same, everything that is riveted to them are not the same short of the body mounts.
None of the holes are in the 4x4 frame for 2WD set.  If you look at my 1989 Blazer built I converted it from 4X4 to 2WD..  Also, the forward mounts on the 4x4 are different as they have the leaf perch built in, but it will work..

Offline BADAZ chevy guy

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Re: Frame differences?
« Reply #5 on: April 15, 2014, 07:23:42 pm »
Thanks, Captkaos. the reason I was/am looking for a 2WD frame is to make the build easier. I don't want to have to do all the work it will take to turn this frame into a 2WD set up. I actually went and looked at the frame in question and discovered all the changes I'd have to make.