Front Straite Axle Swap

I'VE GOT A '91 CHEVY 1500 2WD 1/2 TON SINGLE CAB SHORT BED...GETTING READY TO SWAP OUT THE OLD 305 WITH A 350 CRATE ENGINE....ALSO I WANT TO CHANGE IT INTO A STRAITE AXLE 4X4.....IVE SEE THIS DONE ON NEWER MODELS('00 TO '02)...CAN I DO IT WITH MY TRUCK...... :biggrin:

yep, just get all the 4x4 parts off of a similar 4wd truck.

My Truck Has The Front Independent Suspension....i Want To Go To The Straite Axle 4x4.....im Gonna Raise This Truck To 6" Suspension Lift With 4' Body And Some Big Mud Tires For All Off Road Cruz'n.... :evillol:

Where Would I Find The Parts For This Kind Of Project???

go to a local wrecking yard. You might have to buy some new parts along the way, but it all depends...

How big of tires?? If you're sticking in the 36" or lower, you'd be fine with a "heavy duty Dana 44" up front (they're off of a 3/5 ton truck. If you're going for bigger tires, then I would definatly get a Dana 60 out of a 1ton truck.

I'd also look into a new rear end while your at it. Full Floating, 10.5" 14 bolts are cheap and VERY strong.

For your 2wd tranny, you might be able to find an adapter so you can just hook a transfer case right up to it. Advanced Adapters is the best place to look for that. They have everything...as long as it's made!

Let me know if you have any other questions

thanks for the info.....that'll help me out a lot...

I was looking into a similiar swap not too long ago and heres what I found out, Get a transfer case from a 92 4x4 preferable a K1500 has same trans as you and should be able to mount right up to rear of your 4L60/400r trans you'll need the driveshaft too it's shorter, Find a Dana 44 solid axle from a bronco since the shaft is on the same side as the T case, earlier soilid axle chevys had them on the passanger side(wrong). You'll need the drive shaft from the 92 as well, Your 2wd steering box will work, You will need to fabicate the mounting points on your frame so you definately need a welder or know someone who has one. For more specifics on what you'll need go to oru.com-They have a kit, I didn't end up doing it because it ended up costing too much so I went out and bought a 4x4 with a straight axle already on it! Keep this in mind it may be a cheaper & better alternative as it may take weeks to complete the swap.

Oh yea and with a straigt axle you can do a 10" suspension lift instead of 6" susp & 4" body, stay away from body lifts they just cause new problems you dont need.

SOUNDS GOOD....HOW HIGH OF A SUSPENSION LIFT CAN I GET WITH A STRAITE FRONT AXLE...I LIKE THE 10" LIFT WITH some big tires....dont know what size to go with yet....

You can go as high as you can afford since after 8" springs your going custom, 8" Springs and 3" shackles are possible and quite common, Unless you get a Dana 60 (expensive) I wouldn't go bigger than 37" on a stock on dana 44 and no bigger than 35's on a stock 10 bolt. Bigger tires means gear ratio changes too, I have 37's on my susburban and it had no accelaration or pulling power until I put 4.88 gears in it, 4.56's would have sufficed but I wanted more pulling power, It even gets better gas milage! go big but make sure you make ALL the neccesary mods to make it relaible and strong. Otherwise you'll be breaking stuff everytime you take it out.

Check this out-http://files.automotiveforums.com/gallery/watermark.php?file=/503/230959K1500SubSmall.JPG

Nice Truck....ill Keep All That In Mind When I Do It...thanks For All The Info..... :cool:

Thnaks & no problem for the help, That's why we're her right. Check out www.OffRoadUnlimted.com that is their specialty-ifs to straight axle swaps

That is one nice looking Suburban!

Thanks dude.

You also find what you were looking for when you look for something else!

That's true, I found my remote in the fridge once when I went to look for a beer.

SOUNDS GOOD....HOW HIGH OF A SUSPENSION LIFT CAN I GET WITH A STRAITE FRONT AXLE...I LIKE THE 10" LIFT WITH some big tires....dont know what size to go with yet....

Be careful with taller lifts. The truck will be very unsteady at higher speeds, and much easier to roll offroad. Also, make sure you aren't so high that a car can go under your rear bumper. You could be looking at lots of damage if a car hit the rear diff.

I have a buddy with an F-150 that has a 9" lift (6" suspension, 3" body). He's got 38" tires on it. It looks pretty good, but he is very limited on trails. He can't take much side angle, and can't make it under some tree branches. If you're looking for offroad performance, I'd recommend just enough lift to fit the tires you want. Cut the fender a bit if you can stay a couple inches lower that way.

GMCmudbogger is right you may be better off buying a truck all ready set up!!!Unless your a fabricator this is important stuff (makin new sping mnts & such & should only be done by a pro)

when this truck is done it will only be an off road truck....unless i need to hit the road every once in a while...Im pretty good at metal work...but my good friend is really good with metal.. he's also done it before...so we should be pretty good, but thanks for all the good info....