New Project Truck

[MadMike454]

I recently picked up a 95 chevy pickup with a 350 and an  automatic tranny. the only bad part is its a 2wd. I am thinking of a 4 wheel conversion and if anybody has any ideas or advice or tricks to doing this? the truck is a half ton 2wd extended cab shortbox.

[MrMindless]

solid axle swap is the only way to go, and that\'s a lot of work for a truck that\'s not worth a heck of a lot.  if you just want it as a driver and not a wheeler you\'re better off just shopping for something to trade it for.

5 years ago, a budget SAS cost me 5 grand and change.  granted the truck does a LOT more than a stock 4x4 can do, but think long and hard about whether doing this to a truck you just picked up and have no attachment to is worthwhile.

[smichaelR22]

also depends on your fab skill, and desires of the truck.  is it going to be streatable?  just a trail rig?

links? leafs coils? air shocks?  


maybe think about getting a non running parts truck thats 4x4 for cheap and combining the two?

[smichaelR22]

also, i cant possibly see where 5grand is on the front of that truck

axles $1000  (both axles)
gears $600    (5.38\'s and instals both ends)
links and heims 500$
coils? $300
some break links, maybe shaft work 300$?
misc crossmember steel / bolts 200$

i think those numbers are generous and could be done for half of that with the stuff most of us have laying around :)

[Wingman]

Off the top of my head, I can think of one company that \'specializes\' in this kind of stuff.

http://www.offroadunlimited.com/

Check out their site and prices.  Not all inclusive but it is a starting point.

[MrMindless]

smichaelR22 wrote:
also, i cant possibly see where 5grand is on the front of that truck

axles $1000  (both axles)
gears $600    (5.38\'s and instals both ends)
links and heims 500$
coils? $300
some break links, maybe shaft work 300$?
misc crossmember steel / bolts 200$

i think those numbers are generous and could be done for half of that with the stuff most of us have laying around :)

I had nothing laying around.

that was including tires and wheels, but I didn\'t regear or lock anything.

I have all the receipts, and I think I threw them in Excel too.  It\'s a legit number.  Question is what is included in it that maybe is debatable.

so no gear, you\'re low on links and heims, you\'re skipping shocks, and you\'re way low on brakes and shafts, plus incidental crud...

[smichaelR22]

which tires and wheels, the IROKs or the 3K in MTR\'s :)


just throwing numbers.

i think a budjet SAS could verymuch be done for under a grand

[MrMindless]

I think you\'re high.

on this truck you\'d have to get a Ford axle and put old 6 lug chevy outers on it to match the rear, or do the rear as well and do a set of new wheels.  there\'s your grand spent.

then make it steer, and give it power, and make it stop.

there\'s two.  minimum.

[ollllllo]

im at aprox 3k for built axles alone. (no wheels, tires or drive shafts)

my links and tube and bkts cost additional $1200 (just for front)

5 k isnt a far stretch.

im at 8k for my axle swap, airshox, front four link, Propane project.used tires & wheels.

[MrMindless]

I was a little off.  $4540 for the initial build.  a grand of that was wheels and tires, and $200 of it was a bandsaw.  Coils are missing from the price, probably a push vs the bandsaw.  shocks are missing too.

if you don\'t have a parts collection the likes of what myself, ollllllo or Smike has, I don\'t think you could do it for under 3,000.  Even if you\'re going leaf, you still need springs and shackles and tabs and steering and an extra crossmember.

[MadMike454]

thanks to all of you for responding now that I think about it Im just gonna drive the truck and keep looking and saving for another one. id love to find an older truck that has the granny gear 4 speed i believe sm465? I had an 88 chevy stepside and 33 inch tsl swampers with no lift and in 4 low with that creeper granny gear I clawed out of the big pits at wallington no problem well i tore the cv boots off but drove it home

[smichaelR22]

i have an SM465/NP205 for sale, and i have a pretty fresh flywheel / clutch i ran for about 6 months.  

[MadMike454]

what are you asking for the tranny and transfer case?
i might be trading this for a 93 gmc 3/4 ton 2wd with a rebuilt 4l80e automatic and that would either be a tow rig or the new project truck. any idea which would be better to build?

[Camo1Ton]

Did you check out the 86 CUCV in the Vehicles section?

[MadMike454]

yes that truck is badass and i love it i was in the army for 3 years and those 6.2 motors are beasts i just dont have the cash for that right now maybe after my taxes?