axle swap

[profox02]

I've got a '91 chevy pu 2wd with a 350 and 700r trany....
ive always wanted to make it a straite axle 4x4...i need
to know will i be getting myself into a lot of work or is it
easly done...cause this guy is selling his dana 44 axle out
of '84 chevy truck i know this will take money and some time
but, will it worth it or just buy a 4x4 truck.....thx

[jveik]

well you do know that you will need all new front suspension so that will include steering and all kinds of stuff. i cant remember if it uses leaf springs or not i think it does though. i bet it would be tough to get those in place of your coil spring and control arms. also, i think the transfer cases usually are pretty expensive and you'll probably have to get a shorter driveshaft to compensate for the few inches of extra the transfer case would add.

basically, for your money, it would probably be cheaper to just buy a good truck with 4x4 than to convert your 2x4. unless that is if you happen to have just gotten a ten thousand dollar paint job on your current truck and you have a lot of performance mods that would be a pain to remove and transfer to a different truck

[robertjr]

If you want to do a 4x4 conversation the easiest way and most cost effective is to go and find an '88 to '96 (or '98 which ever year that chevy changed body styles) 4x4 truck. This rig does not have to be running or even have a engine or tranny(cause you have those)and can have some pretty major body damage. The only things that need to be in good or even rebuildiable condition are the frame, front end, transfer case, front suspension components, and drive lines front and rear. You'll have to pull the body off of the 4x4 frame and do all of your prep work I.E. cleaning, prime and paint, route fuel lines, brake lines, electrical wiring if your going to lift it this is the best time to do it. then depending on the condition of your engine, tranny and transfer case you get the proper adapters and tranny tail housing and bolt all of this in place and then you swap the body off of your 4x2 on to the new 4x4 frame and hook up your wires, switches, gauges, and computer.....etc. there's quite abit more involved but I just wanted to give you the idea it is most definitely possible but will cost a bit of green and will be time consuming! Hope this helps if you, Good luck and feel free to ask questions!