if you had a choice what would you use for a 4x4 conversion

[coggonobrien]

I am in the process of converting my 68 swb to 4x4. I have the option of either parting a rusted out but reliable 69 blazer (6 lug) or purchasing a mid to late 70's 3/4 ton 4x4 chevy with 8 lug. I will be going with either a 4 inch lift and 35's or 6 inch and 37's. the truck would be primarily a road use vehicle with some time spent driving through row crop fields and bucking snow drifts on gravel roads. would you go with the blazer 4x4 gear or the 3/4 ton truck. truck could probably be bought for 300 and i already have the blazer.

thanks!
David

[GmtGmt]

3/4T woulden even think about it

[coggonobrien]

ok, i'm assuming due to the longer spring length of the later series it ought to ride better

[Burt4x4]

I would buy a mitltary 1Ton 4x4 Chevy P/U and swap it in.

[coggonobrien]

ha ha yea, i will probably use 1/2 ton lift springs from a fear of one rough riding swb truck any thoughts on that? also the truck is receiving a 427bbc and a 700r4

[Burt4x4]

Smooth ride + Chevy 4x4 = No way man hahhaa

Aftermarket spring packs will be the best way to get a smoother ride. You buy spring packs that have 6 or more thinner leafs rather than the harsher 3-4 thicker leafs per pack..you dig what I'm sayin?
I run SuperLift rear packs and they have 7 leafs w/teflon inserts to produce a softer smoother ride...

[coggonobrien]

gotcha if you don't mind my asking how much lift and how much did you spend?

[monza1979]

3/4 ton hands down, stronger axles, plus the possibility of an np205 (not sure if thats what it has, rather assuming). updated, stronger and cheap, kind hard to beat that!!

[Burt4x4]

Originally Posted by coggonobrien

gotcha if you don't mind my asking how much lift and how much did you spend?

I am running 4" Rancho in front and 5.5" SuperLift in rear. Plus 3" Bodylift.
Above pic (my son driving) the tires don't have much air pressure but they are 36" Irok Swampers...with Blazer's the Assend is way heavier than a P/U so that is why I have a taller rear pack to prevent the Ass-sag you may have seen on other Blazers out there...

As for $$...it's been 15yrs+ so...?? What I spent is probly not the going rate today...I think the rear packs were 400 er 450 in that area...the 4" Ranchos were on the K5 when I bought it in 1993 so??
Good Luck!

[1malo68]

I have a 68 swb project in progress and I'm using a '79 3/4 ton 14 bolt full floater rear and a corporate 10 bolt front. I got my tough country EZ ride springs front and rear ( only a 2" lift ) from SDtrucksprings for $850 delivered. I can't say for sure, but they're supposed to have a good ride. Be ready for some spring perch and shock mount relocation on the rear though.

[coggonobrien]

gotcha, since i'm starting with a 2wd swb frame i'm kind of free to use whatever are you bolting your mounts or welding them to the frame?

[1malo68]

Welding the mounts to a crossmember and double shear bolting it to the frame

[1malo68]

my shocks will be at a 60 degree angle and mount just inside the spring perches

[1malo68]

Where's Coggon? I have family in Crescent.

[coggonobrien]

north of cedar rapids 30 miles, between highway 20, 380, 30 and 13

[coggonobrien]

http://maps.google.com/maps?q=cresce...ed=0CBQQ8gEwAA