2WD to Solid axle 4x4
 

My buddy is going to sell me his 2wd pickup, not sure the year but its an 80something with a 22re.

Now heres my question.

are the frames the same on the 2wd as the 4x4?
this the "sas" even posable on a 2wd?
Now is it even feasible to do on a 2wd? or is it just best to find a 4x4 truck and do the normal swap?

I'm planning on a full rebuild. motor, driveline, diffs, gears, lift, and solid axle so I know its going to be spending. But its really creep and a pretty nice truck. Just wanted to know if the swap works on a 2WD or should I keep looking? cause theres an 87 4x4 for $350 that doesn't run. so just let me know.


Thanks,
-Alex

1. No, not even close
2. Yes, its been done before
3. Not really. You will spend a ton just sourcing parts

Buy the $350 4x4 and start there

Thanks. Dang that was quick. Lol
I'll just tell him no. And hope that other ones still there

BUY THE 4X4!!!!! Trust me. Helped s buddy do a 2wd to 4x4 swap. SUCKED! Biggest pain ever. Did it to a S10. Buy 4X4. 2wd are good for street and hauling but not worth it for conversion

http://www.pirate4x4.com/forum/showt...php?p=11849417

A lot of ppl like the 2wd/SA frame over the ifs frame.

This guys truck was cool before the body lift. Looked like a factory SAS 3gen.

There is more room for front uptravel on the 2wd frames, making them ideal for guys that want their truck to sit lower.

Yes it can be done. This is my '85 2WD.

http://i81.photobucket.com/albums/j2...s/IMG_0015.jpg

I just did a sas on a 90 2wd. It isnt any harder than a 4wd. Actually, there is less stuff to cut off the frame but you do need a 4wd tranny/ transfer and a rear axle...

The 2wd frames are almost identical to the 84-85 4x4 solid axle frames, the IFS 4x4 frames are different up front. 2wd frames are just as strong too.

I would think its better to start with a two wheel drive for the simple fact that you seem like you're going to replace everything anyway. Might as well start with a slightly cleaner slate.

Buy the 2wd and the 4wd. The 2wd frame is identical to a 85 4wd frame except for the suspension. Pull the rear diff and the trans and t-case out of the 4wd truck. Part and scrap the rest of the 4wd and you will be getting paid to acquire a lot of the parts you'll be needing for the conversion.

You have to add all the same parts you would on a solid axle truck anyway, spring hanger, springs, axle, steering. Then all you need is a 4wd trans/t-case and rear axle.

If I was going to do a from scratch build that wasn't a buggy, I'd swap a 3rd gen 2wd truck. The only reason i'm going to sas my '86 4wd is because it's a solid truck and I already have it.

Deadpuss, do some research and don't be so negative.

I would do exactly whaTrikeKid said. Then you will have a clean truck with a good engine.

you might want to get a 2nd or 3rd gen steering box to for hysteer not absolutely nessacery but it would be nice to have i just plated the frame and put on the sfa box but now im wishing i would have had the money for the hysteer not too hard to fix though
i have done 2wd and would do it again but i would defiantly buy or borrow a torch because the 2wd tranny crossmember is welded in and is a b**** to get out with a sawall but the other brackets are easy if you leave the shock towers
mine overall took a week to put the axles in, weekend to do the tranny and tcase and for a grand total of 400 dollars not including wheels and tires