2wd to 4wd

[1987_3/4ton_chevy]

Hey everyone, i am wanting to lift my 1968 3/4 ton GMC but its a 2 wd and not finding anything and everyone i talked to says there is not a lift kit for a 1968 2wd truck. So if i take the 2wd and converted it over to 4wd how much would i be looking at and where should i get this at? PLEASE help me out

[1969k10stepside]

If the frame is good you may consider getting a rolling chassis with axles,driveshafts,tranny,t-case,etc so you dont have to buy everything seperatly and spend weeks gathering up everything you need.You could probably get a 4wd chassis or a whole 4wd pretty easily and then swap the body over if that's what you want.That would be the easiest.If you wanted to use a 73-87 frame it would be a little more complicated though,but can be done.Just adding 4wd parts to your existing chassis can be done too,but is a little more difficult.

[1971ChevyTruck]

I switched my 2wd to a 4wd and then back to a 2wd. Not that hard of a process. I bought a 4wd truck for the frame and then switched it over. I was lucky and the frame I found already had a lift kit under it. After a year I switched it back to a 2wd--the original stock frame.

[1987_3/4ton_chevy]

What would be cheeper and better off of those choices?

You could probably get a 4wd chassis or a whole 4wd pretty easily and then swap the body over

[earl87gta]

depends on you here is how I would do it. I dont know what you have for a trans so Im going to guess at this point if its a stick its most likley a 465 so you need a 205 0r rockwelll transfor case figure 300 if its an auto than its pobly a 350 same deal need a 205 with a 350 adaptor or you can get a 203 but its not a part time trancfer case.
next you need a front axle I would look for a d44 out of a 70to 74 ithink with the flat top knuckles so that you can go a head and use across over steering. figure 100 to 200 for this them an aditaon 200 for the cross over steering parts.
next get a set od b52s from diy this will take care of the front springs I think is 200 for the kit this kit will use the rear springs you have now on the front giving you 4 in of lift.
for the rear you can ether buy new 4in lift springs or get use a set of stock springs and a shackle flip you can get 52in stock springs dirst cheap at any salvage yard ether way figure 250. next you need a 4x4 engine cross member you can get this from ord its around 160. last thing is drive shafts you need the slip tyle 4x4 drive shafts.
it sound like a lot but a good 4in lift will cost you 600 to 1200 so if you figure this way your not buying a lift and your using parts better then stock its not bad.
or you can find some one parting a 4x4 fram and get the parts from them you need. Hint post a want to buy for this there are sevral blazer guys in this board that are going from 4 to 2wd and they would love to sell you there parts this would save you some cash but if your going for an all out well built better then stock can take almost any thing go with what I said up top. This will also give you a great platfom to add on to later like when you decide you know need 8in of lift so the 38in tires will fit.

[1969k10stepside]

I would jusy get a rusty 4wd and swap bodies over so you know you have everything where you get most everything just buying a chassis,but not all.For not doing much offroading or wheeling or have big tires,etc you wont need crossover steering,flat top knuckles,etc.

[2bits]

Originally Posted by 1987_3/4ton_chevy

everyone i talked to says there is not a lift kit for a 1968 2wd truck.

Is this really true guys??? I can't imagine it

[earl87gta]

I think its easier to convert the frame you have if its in good shape then it is to do a frame swap unless your planing on doing a whole off frame convertion. and why not upgrade to the cross over and stuff know gives you more option later down the road and it dosnt cost that much. whats the diffrenc if you spend $80 on a high lift arm or 100 on a cross over arm.
If your positve you never going to go more then a 4in lift and 35in tires then a stock steering set up is ok but if you ever think there is any whay you will go bigger just get the better steering stuff now to save you trouble down the road. here is a good write up from one of the board members here on doing the swap. http://www.geocities.com/scbeoffroad...ted/index.html

[earl87gta]

Originally Posted by 2bits

Is this really true guys??? I can't imagine it

looks like it I went to fabtech web site and they only list them for 88 and up. but if you have a 1/2 ton and are only looking for 1to 2 in would the 3/4 or 1ton front ends lift it that much?

[1987_3/4ton_chevy]

I talked with a guy that does trucks and things. They DO have 2wd lift kits... he just puts them together and puts them on the truck.

[earl87gta]

must be some thing he is making none of the big companies have them listed. make sure he isnt just adding taller coil springs in the front and calling that a lift. to be done write it needs to be new control arms or spindal or combo of both for the front.