stevenestercel4wd

thanks thats a great link!!

osv

that's a cool build... one of the potential problems with it is that his front springs are practically into negative arch, at the normal ride height.

if you live somewhere flat it probably doesn't matter, but it's going to be a issue for rock crawling.

instantninja

I just finished my 2wd sas a year and a half ago. the only reason I used a 2wd truck as a base is my dad gave me the truck, he was getting nothing for the trade in on it. the process for doing the swap is essentially the same as with a 4wd, except you have to cut out a crossmember and weld in a mount for the transmission/transfercase crossmember.
the 2wd frame is the same design as the 85 and old solid axle frames in that the frame arches higher in the front than the ifs frames. this will allow you to build the truck a little lower, if thats what you are after.
for the front springs I used rear springs from the 83 i got for the drivetrain (the cab and frame where rotted out bad). then I had to add some leaves to the pack to get the height right for me.
my build has cost about the same as Redeth's build, but I also did an engine swap, which involved buying a parts car. To put a solid axle in, its going to cost $1500-2000, but it could be done for less if you're goot at fabricating stuff and good at bargain hunting.
if I had to do it again, I'd probably still start off with a 2wd frame. they tend to be cheaper and far less beat.

chosenchange

not only does the frame seem less beat iun the 2wds that I have found but also less beat wiring and less crap that hack "wheeler" mechanics have done. I also have found interior and body damage is far less. The fenders need to be changed out and there is more to do but If your into building a truck you are going to run mostly new things anyway. May take longer but having a new transmission transfer case suspension and axles is kind of the destination if your building from scratch anyway. Not to mention youtube and yotatech make you pretty much a master of all things anyway. At least thats the feeling lol.