72 Suburban 4WD conversion? - The 1947 - Present Chevrolet & GMC Truck Message Board Network

Dirtman47 · 12-04-2010, 02:01 AM

Anyone know a shop that can covert my burb from 2wd to 4wd? I live in So Cal but I am willing to drive up to norcal or AZ?

Also any Idea if $5000.00 can complete the swap?

**N2TRUX** · 12-04-2010, 11:42 AM

Welcome to the forum Dirtman47. I moved you to the 4x4 Forum in hopes you will get a reply.

LONGHAIR · 12-04-2010, 03:50 PM

IMHO, conversions are for vehicles that were never available that way. I would spend your 5K on a truck that is already a 4x4. Then you can decide upon how to procede based upon what you find and the condition of your existing truck. If the body is nice on yours, a "body swap" might be in order. With this method, you also end-up with something to sell to get some money back.

raycow · 12-04-2010, 05:28 PM

I agree with Longhair. If your burb has sentimental value and you don't want to trade, look for a 4WD with body damage or just a rolling chassis and do a body swap. The labor cost should be less than converting your present truck.

Ray

DWitcher · 12-07-2010, 10:56 PM

Those conversions are'nt that hard. 5k? Hell no thats way too much. Ok I'll do it for half. Lol.

duallyjams · 12-08-2010, 09:16 PM

I have a 69 4x4 suburban that has a good frame and a junk body for 5k ship it to me and I will do the swap and send it back.

jbclassix · 12-14-2010, 05:30 PM

If they are still there, RPM (richards performance muffler) out in Vista... Richard is an awesome guy! When I lived in Carlsbad he helped with my solid axle swap! Good place to start. For top dollar you could always go up to Offroad Unlimited in Burbank

Thatguy · 12-14-2010, 07:44 PM

A body swap would be the easiest to do. You can use a truck 4x4 frame if you have to, the long wheel base is the same as the 'burb. You just have to change the body mounts from your 2wd 'burb to the the 4wd frame. The cut off the last few feet of your 'burb frame, so you have plenty, and weld this on the rear of the truck frame. This is done because the truck frame will not have the same amount of overhang as the 'burb would. Then again throwing some leaves up front with diy4x.com the have an awesome kit to run longer softer "52 springs up front. Then in the rear you can run some "56 or "62 long springs. They ride real nice this way. I have done both of these methods a couple of times with the end result being awesome. Bang for the buck just buy a 'burb already 4wd. Then again opinions are like.........

12-04-2010, 02:01 AM	#1
Dirtman47 Registered User Join Date: Nov 2010 Location: Carlsbad Ca Posts: 2	72 Suburban 4WD conversion? Anyone know a shop that can covert my burb from 2wd to 4wd? I live in So Cal but I am willing to drive up to norcal or AZ? Also any Idea if $5000.00 can complete the swap?

12-04-2010, 11:42 AM	#2
N2TRUX Happy to be here Join Date: Mar 2000 Location: Cypress, TX Posts: 39,023	Re: 72 Suburban 4WD conversion? Welcome to the forum Dirtman47. I moved you to the 4x4 Forum in hopes you will get a reply. __________________ Follow me on Facebook and Instagram @N2trux.com Articles- "Jake" the 84 to 74 crewcab "Elwood" the77_Remix 85 GMC Sierra "Scarlett" "Refining Sierra"

12-04-2010, 05:28 PM	#4
raycow Registered User Join Date: Mar 2003 Location: San Francisco, CA USA Posts: 2,454	Re: 72 Suburban 4WD conversion? I agree with Longhair. If your burb has sentimental value and you don't want to trade, look for a 4WD with body damage or just a rolling chassis and do a body swap. The labor cost should be less than converting your present truck. Ray __________________ Live more responsibly. Eat lower on the food chain. Eat vegetarians.

12-07-2010, 10:56 PM	#5
DWitcher Registered User Join Date: Feb 2009 Location: Bakersfield, Ca. Posts: 6	Re: 72 Suburban 4WD conversion? Those conversions are'nt that hard. 5k? Hell no thats way too much. Ok I'll do it for half. Lol. Last edited by DWitcher; 12-07-2010 at 10:58 PM.

12-08-2010, 09:16 PM	#6
duallyjams Registered User Join Date: May 2007 Location: Deale Md Posts: 4,663	Re: 72 Suburban 4WD conversion? I have a 69 4x4 suburban that has a good frame and a junk body for 5k ship it to me and I will do the swap and send it back. __________________ James 63 GMC V6 4speed carryall 65 chevy swb bbw V8 auto 68 K20 327/4 speed, buddy buckets 2002 GMC CC Dually Duramax 64 GMC lwb 3/4 V6 4speed SOLD 66 GMC swb bbw buddy buckets SOLD IG duallyjams The only thing that stays the same is constant change!

12-14-2010, 05:30 PM	#7
jbclassix Junk Yartist Join Date: Jul 2009 Location: Greeley, CO Posts: 2,203	Re: 72 Suburban 4WD conversion? If they are still there, RPM (richards performance muffler) out in Vista... Richard is an awesome guy! When I lived in Carlsbad he helped with my solid axle swap! Good place to start. For top dollar you could always go up to Offroad Unlimited in Burbank __________________ -Jeremy YOU ONLY FAIL IF YOU STOP TRYING 70 Crew Cab Build Link 70 GMC Suburban 4X4 build thread 95 Yukon Daily Driver Rebuilding an NP205

12-14-2010, 07:44 PM	#8
Thatguy Registered User Join Date: May 2010 Location: Vader, Wa Posts: 36	Re: 72 Suburban 4WD conversion? A body swap would be the easiest to do. You can use a truck 4x4 frame if you have to, the long wheel base is the same as the 'burb. You just have to change the body mounts from your 2wd 'burb to the the 4wd frame. The cut off the last few feet of your 'burb frame, so you have plenty, and weld this on the rear of the truck frame. This is done because the truck frame will not have the same amount of overhang as the 'burb would. Then again throwing some leaves up front with diy4x.com the have an awesome kit to run longer softer "52 springs up front. Then in the rear you can run some "56 or "62 long springs. They ride real nice this way. I have done both of these methods a couple of times with the end result being awesome. Bang for the buck just buy a 'burb already 4wd. Then again opinions are like.........



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