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2WD to Solid axle 4x4

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Old 09-27-2011, 07:29 PM
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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
Old 09-27-2011, 07:31 PM
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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
Old 09-27-2011, 07:47 PM
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Thanks. Dang that was quick. Lol
I'll just tell him no. And hope that other ones still there
Old 09-28-2011, 07:49 AM
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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
Old 09-28-2011, 08:21 AM
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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.

Last edited by misaaccooper; 09-28-2011 at 08:28 AM.
Old 11-17-2011, 08:28 AM
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There is more room for front uptravel on the 2wd frames, making them ideal for guys that want their truck to sit lower.
Old 11-17-2011, 10:55 AM
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Yes it can be done. This is my '85 2WD.

Old 11-17-2011, 10:58 AM
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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...
Old 11-30-2012, 02:12 AM
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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.
Old 11-30-2012, 04:30 AM
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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.
Old 11-30-2012, 10:19 PM
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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.

Last edited by TrikeKid; 11-30-2012 at 10:27 PM.
Old 12-01-2012, 12:10 PM
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I would do exactly whaTrikeKid said. Then you will have a clean truck with a good engine.
Old 12-04-2012, 12:44 PM
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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

Last edited by Dreidel; 12-04-2012 at 12:48 PM.
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