4x4 versus 4x2 Frame. - The 1947 - Present Chevrolet & GMC Truck Message Board Network

Ptjsk · 01-08-2018, 02:16 AM

I have recently acquired a '69 Chevy (short), Step-side truck.

The truck, as well as the frame are in extremely good condition. Especially as far as rust, or in this case, lack of rust goes.

I would like to make this into a 4wd unit.

My question is, aside from the obvious (leaf springs, axle), are the 4x4 and the 4x2 frames the same?

Thanks,

Pat

**special-K** · 01-08-2018, 08:52 AM

Thy are not the same but you can bolt the entire 4wd front spring/axle assembly to a 2wd frame. Then you need the crossmember for transfer case from a 4wd or make one. Is your truck coil or leaf rear suspension? The frames are different behind the axle on a coil spring truck. I've never converted a coil spring truck so someone else will have to tell what they did. I have seen one converted leaving the coil rear in place.

**Jeff's bowtie's** · 01-08-2018, 09:15 AM

The frames are the same on coil and leaf trucks they both get wider at the rear of the cab

**dennislbrooks** · 01-08-2018, 09:55 AM

I did this for the same reason. The emegency brake stamping in the 2wd frame will need flattened as that is where the front rear 4wd perch resides on a 4wd. I probably have a thread on notching the rear front 4wd perches 1.5 inches on their rear side and adding 1/2" spacer on the rear hanger perch.

**dennislbrooks** · 01-08-2018, 10:00 AM

There are multiple threads on this and methods including flipping existing 2wd axle and keeping trailing arms ---I did not . Here is one with pics.

http://67-72chevytrucks.com/vboard/s...d.php?t=505589

Ptjsk · 01-08-2018, 10:32 AM

Thanks a lot for your responses.

This is good to know, as I would like to keep the frame, yet make it a 4WD.

I'm thinking that probably the best bet is to find a rolling chassis that I could cannibalize while having both frames sitting side by side.

Also, I do have the trailing arm, coil spring rear suspension, which I would change over to leaf springs.

Thanks again,

Pat

01-08-2018, 02:16 AM	#1
Ptjsk Registered User Join Date: Jan 2018 Location: Northern CA Posts: 588	4x4 versus 4x2 Frame. I have recently acquired a '69 Chevy (short), Step-side truck. The truck, as well as the frame are in extremely good condition. Especially as far as rust, or in this case, lack of rust goes. I would like to make this into a 4wd unit. My question is, aside from the obvious (leaf springs, axle), are the 4x4 and the 4x2 frames the same? Thanks, Pat

01-08-2018, 08:52 AM	#2
special-K Special Order Join Date: Nov 2004 Location: Mt Airy, MD Posts: 85,863	Re: 4x4 versus 4x2 Frame. Thy are not the same but you can bolt the entire 4wd front spring/axle assembly to a 2wd frame. Then you need the crossmember for transfer case from a 4wd or make one. Is your truck coil or leaf rear suspension? The frames are different behind the axle on a coil spring truck. I've never converted a coil spring truck so someone else will have to tell what they did. I have seen one converted leaving the coil rear in place. __________________ "BUILDING A BETTER WAY TO SERVE THE USA"......67/72......"The New Breed" GMC '67 C1500 Wideside Super Custom SWB: 327/M22/3.42 posi.........."The '67" (project) GMC '72 K2500 Wideside Sierra Custom Camper: 350/TH350/4.10 Power-Lok..."The '72" (rolling) Tim "Don't call me a redneck. I'm a rough cut country gentleman" R.I.P. ~ East Side Low Life ~ El Jay ~ 72BLUZ ~ Fasteddie69 ~ Ron586 ~ 67ChevyRedneck ~ Grumpy Old Man ~

01-08-2018, 09:15 AM	#3
Jeff's bowtie's Senior Member Join Date: Jan 2015 Location: Kearneysville Wv Posts: 3,937	Re: 4x4 versus 4x2 Frame. The frames are the same on coil and leaf trucks they both get wider at the rear of the cab

01-08-2018, 09:55 AM	#4
dennislbrooks Senior Member Join Date: Feb 2004 Location: Williamsburg, Ohio Posts: 1,765	Re: 4x4 versus 4x2 Frame. I did this for the same reason. The emegency brake stamping in the 2wd frame will need flattened as that is where the front rear 4wd perch resides on a 4wd. I probably have a thread on notching the rear front 4wd perches 1.5 inches on their rear side and adding 1/2" spacer on the rear hanger perch. __________________ 1942 Chevy 1/2 ton Rod, 1959 GMC 1/2 ton Fleet Stepside, 1967 Chevy SWB K10, 1985 Corvette Coupe 4+3, 2015 Chevy Duramax reg cab 4WD W/T Last edited by dennislbrooks; 01-08-2018 at 10:05 AM.

01-08-2018, 10:00 AM	#5
dennislbrooks Senior Member Join Date: Feb 2004 Location: Williamsburg, Ohio Posts: 1,765	Re: 4x4 versus 4x2 Frame. There are multiple threads on this and methods including flipping existing 2wd axle and keeping trailing arms ---I did not . Here is one with pics. http://67-72chevytrucks.com/vboard/s...d.php?t=505589 __________________ 1942 Chevy 1/2 ton Rod, 1959 GMC 1/2 ton Fleet Stepside, 1967 Chevy SWB K10, 1985 Corvette Coupe 4+3, 2015 Chevy Duramax reg cab 4WD W/T Last edited by dennislbrooks; 01-08-2018 at 10:05 AM.

01-08-2018, 10:32 AM	#6
Ptjsk Registered User Join Date: Jan 2018 Location: Northern CA Posts: 588	Re: 4x4 versus 4x2 Frame. Thanks a lot for your responses. This is good to know, as I would like to keep the frame, yet make it a 4WD. I'm thinking that probably the best bet is to find a rolling chassis that I could cannibalize while having both frames sitting side by side. Also, I do have the trailing arm, coil spring rear suspension, which I would change over to leaf springs. Thanks again, Pat



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