4X4 68 - 72 Suburban Frames

[pwdcougar]

Does anyone know if the Suburban 4WD and 2WD frames are the same for the 68 - 72 trucks?

From what I can tell the pick up frames are different.

Thanks

Paul

[vectorit]

Yes they are different.
There are a few differences that I have heard of, but I know for a fact that the rear frame ends are different. Suburban has rear finished horns that turn down a bit, where as PU's are cut straight.

[runleon]

hi i was wondering if you can help me, is there anyway you can lift a 1968 2wd suburban. most people ive asked have said no, i would like to keep it 2wd and lift it a couple inches. but if not i know i would have to end up modifying it into a 4wd right?

[Stainlessman]

You need lift spindles for the front. Just like lowering the truck would require drop spindles.

[runleon]

thank you, that was really helpful i appreciate it!

[Captainab]

Ok I mite be able to add to this. Front hangers from diy work awesome, yes you have to take front engine Cross member out as its all connected with like 12 or so bolts. The back is way different. But has the same contour. I did a order shackle flip in back with custion rear front hangers. Lol] But if you have a go fab guy close he can figure it out . I changed my 2 wheel burb to 4. 1 ton axle under it took 3 days. I have the tcase tranny a ls3 going in shortly

[pwdcougar]

Chris my plan is to try to take the 2WD frame from one Suburban and put the 4WD Suburban drivetrain on it.

Do the Suburban 2 and 4 wheel drive frames share the same differences as the pickup 2 and 4 wheel drive frames?

After reading up on them, the pickup frames need lots of modification to adapt 4WD components to the 2WD frame.

[vectorit]

Just the thought of converting a coil sprung suspension to leaf springs makes me shudder, but then again I am not that talented in the art of fabrication and conversion.

I could swear I have seen a project like that here on the forum though...

Just thinking out loud here...
If I were to contemplate doing something like this, I would go with modern upgrade suspension components instead of converting vintage OE for vintage OE. At least in your case you could strip off everything 2wd, weld up the holes and then work on mounting a modern suspension. I'm thinking longer leaf springs front and rear, while using modern design mounting shackles.
The shocks; you could look to companies like Fox or King to get the ultimate system. These systems I have seen adapted to old truck frame/axles required all new mounting points in different locations.

The steering box mounts the same, and you will need 4x4 cross members, exhaust manifold (Vintage OE) dump straight down on 4x4, and are angled back on 2wd, body wise a high hump trans cover (even though I have seen low hump used).

[pwdcougar]

Thanks for the info. There is no real problem with the 4WD frame it is just that the 2WD frame is so pristine. I guess I am back to doing a body swap now. Gotta get some pictures of this project posted.

Paul

[70custom20]

My father in law swapped a suburban body onto his 70 K20 pickup frame probably about 30 years ago. From what I remember him saying he did the swap in about a weekend. I think he said he had to add about 8-9" of framerail to the end of the pickup frame. He's since swapped the pickup back onto the original 4WD frame.

[lowrollin70gmc]

The same 2 to 4 changes for pickup frames also apply to Suburban frames. What is damaged on the 4wd frame?

[pwdcougar]

This project is going to take on a life of its own. Since the 2WD Suburban frame is different from the 4WD Suburban frame I will be swapping bodies not drive train. It is going to take some work to get the 4WD frame nice enough before putting on the "new" body on. It will need sandblasting, new brake lines, painting and new body supports.


Is there any market for the 2WD frame and drive train? It is a 6 cylinder 4 speed with a posi rear.

Paul

[Bigdav160]

Wow. Looks incredible

[Captainab]

Why thank you. I don't work on it a lot. I wait till I get a lot of parts and spend 10 to 12 hours there. Then wait for more parts. The burb is at Percision fab works and is roughly 60 miles from me. So far chassis is ready for body just waiting for body to be ready and set back on. Just found 3rd door and 2 good barn doors in Ca that are very useable with little work to be done to them before paint. I am guessing I won't have body till April since I will be to busy to go get. And then it's on from there. I will have it for holleys Ls fest 2018. And as long as my schedule don't interfere I'll be there.

[HO455]

I'm guessing that Virginia has rescinded their anti lifting/ lowering laws that were put in place in the early 80's?

[mcmlxix]

Originally Posted by Captainab

Why thank you. I don't work on it a lot. I wait till I get a lot of parts and spend 10 to 12 hours there. Then wait for more parts. The burb is at Percision fab works and is roughly 60 miles from me. So far chassis is ready for body just waiting for body to be ready and set back on. Just found 3rd door and 2 good barn doors in Ca that are very useable with little work to be done to them before paint. I am guessing I won't have body till April since I will be to busy to go get. And then it's on from there. I will have it for holleys Ls fest 2018. And as long as my schedule don't interfere I'll be there.

Any progress?
Do you have your own build thread on here?