2x4 to 4x4

[72 Nova]

new to this site wanting to know if a 83 gmc 4 door 2 wheel drive dually can be made to a 4x4     i have a 79 3/4 ton 4x4 for donar parts

[Blazin]

Well normally I would say swap the body onto a 4x4 frame. As its allot less work than mounting a 4x4 suspension the a 4x2 frame. In your case a 4x4, 4 door, dually frame is hard to come by. 
 You don't mention what the 79 has for a t case? If its a 205 it would work except the 1 ton trans and t case usually have bigger input / output shafts, bigger yokes, etc.
The front end would work but it would not be correct as it doesn't have the capacity to put true bud wheels on it. Also it wouldn't be a Dana 60 like a 1 ton would have had for a front end.

[72 Nova]

thanks 4 info t-case is a 205 trans is a 4 speed manual motor is 454  i have a 12 bolt front end pretty sure i have the adapters for the bud wheel rear is a 14 bolt full floater both axles with 4.56 ratios

[Blazin]

The front end would be a Dana 44 or a 10 bolt. GM never offered a 12 bolt front end. Not for sure but I don't think the bud wheel setup from a Dana 60 will go onto a 10 bolt, or a 44. You will also need to swap in the rear spring hangers. The 4x2 ones are shorter. If you located all the front shackles etc. in the stock position / hight the truck will sit 2" to 4"s lower in the rear.

[72 Nova]

sorry on the frt end it is a 44   do you know if 2 wheel frames and 4x4 frames are the same other than 4x4 crossmembers   also checked my bud wheel adapters they do fit need all info possible b4 i ruin a good truck  thanks

[72 Nova]

assumed bud wheels would  go right on the 14 bolt ff but they wont clear the drum   wondering if cab and chassis drums are longer to use dual wheels w/o changing axles or do i need both drums and axles

[Captkaos]

The frame rails are the same comparing a 4x4 crew to a 4x2 crew, that is all.  all the removable crossmembers are different and the spring hanger in the rear are different as Blazin pointed out.

Dually and Single rear axles are different and if I remember correctly the rims won't swap.
The fronts of a 4x2 won't go on a 4x4 either as far as I know.