true 4x4 swap

[moss5472]

Hello my name is Austin. I've had my 84 k20 for a few years now, and this site has helped me out countless times when I've been stuck scratching my head. I am soon to be the owner of an 89 c20 crew cab.The truck is in wayyy to good condition to pass up. No rust, 90k, tight steering, ac, power doors, and the biggest thing all the wiring is intact all the lights and switches work like they should. My only problem is the truck is 2wd I have been wanting a 4x4 crew cab but there not so easy to find around me. My question is does anyone know of a good write up on how to swap a c20 to a k20? The only info I can find is people doing body swaps onto a 4x4 chassis. I want to strip the 2wd suspension off and replace with 4wd parts and make it look as factory as possible. My main questions are, how do you make sure the axle is centered in the frame rails? Find center of the wheel mounting surface and go from there? How do you make sure its Square with the frame? Measure the wheelbase on both sides and get them even? Are there any holes already drilled in the c20 frame I can use to help align the leaf hangers? Does anyone have experience using a ford high pinion dana 60? I would assume the spring pads would need to be moved which doesn't really scare me. I would like to get something with a driver side pumpkin so I can eventually find a cheap 2nd gen dodge 12v and nv4500 and swap it all in. I know it sounds like a lot of work but i'm up for it. I'm a welder/fabricator by day so I believe I can get it done I just want to do it right I don't want to have to fight to get the truck aligned when its all finished. Any hep is appreciated. Will post a couple pictures once I get that figured out.

[DustyRusty]

Others on the site have done it.  Here's one:

     http://forum.73-87chevytrucks.com/smforum/index.php?topic=31126.msg261431#msg261431

Hopefully, others will chime in.

[moss5472]

Others on the site have done it.  Here's one:

     http://forum.73-87chevytrucks.com/smforum/index.php?topic=31126.msg261431#msg261431

Hopefully, others will chime in.

Thank you I didn't see this one. Hopefully he keeps posting his progress!

[Captkaos]

Do you have a donor with the parts you need? 
Finding the center would be a matter of marking what you have and setting it up the same.
If you have a donor with 4x4 front it makes it easier.  Of course there will be some modifications to the frame to make it work.

[moss5472]

I dont have a donor but i have my 84 i can use to look at. I was gonna pull a front end leafs and all the mounts from the junkyard. Theres one by me that has like 25 squares there has to be a good d44 maybe even a d60 out there. They sell all diffs for 150$ each and they take them out and load them into your truck, its just a matter of finding what your looking for.  I know theres a truck with a th400 205 he wanted like 100$ for the trans and tcase.

[1967KaiserM715]

So you need the engine cross member, engine mounts, rear shackle hangers, front spring hangers and front body mounts...that should be all. 3 leaf front, and D60 would be best for a 3/4  ton crew IMO. Oh steering box probably as well, not quite sure on differences but I believe they are not a direct swap because of the pitman arm.
Most of the mounts need the rivets busted off, so it may be easier to get the frame.

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[moss5472]

Yea im not sure what the difference between 2wd and 4wd steering boxes are but I know you need the 2wd for crossover steering.

[1967KaiserM715]

I've been thinking it has to do with the way the pitman arm is indexed, think they really only go on 1 way.

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[Captkaos]

This is the front of my blazer that went from 4x4 to 4x2.  You will need all the crossmembers for the front as the framerail is the only thing you can used. 
http://forum.73-87chevytrucks.com/smforum/index.php?topic=15648.msg179739#msg179739

I would have them cut the front end off the frame at the cab support and then mock it all in place on yours.  I would probably get the rear spring hangers too.
I would get the B52 kit (use rear springs on front) from here: http://diy4x.com/product.php?productid=17715 and http://diy4x.com/product.php?productid=17751&cat=250&page=3 if you plan to lift it. 

I would also get a rear shackle flip here: http://diy4x.com/product.php?productid=17730&cat=250&page=3

[Irish_Alley]

I've been thinking it has to do with the way the pitman arm is indexed, think they really only go on 1 way.

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yes it has to do with the Pitman arm. 2wd is more of a side to side motion while 4x4 is front to back