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2X4 to 4X4?

5K views 4 replies 2 participants last post by  lwhbear 
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#1 ·
hey out there. i haven't written in some time but i have a sorta new truck now and i need some info. i have a 1996 chevy C2500. it currently has a 2 inch body lift and is running on 33X12.50 R16 tires. they are 8 lug. first question is concernig my rear axel. i don't know what type it is, all i know is that it is a 14 bolt rear end. i also have no idea as to what type of gear ratio that i have either. if anybody knows this info or can direct me to the right place that wouln be nice. last detail is i want to turn this truck into a 4X4 by doing a solid axel coversion. can i buy a kit for this or do i need to raid a salvage yard. any info would be use full. thanks
 
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#2 ·
I think that the best way to make it into a 4wd is to get rid of the truck and buy a 4wd one. It will probably cost you more to do a conversion, a lot more.
The frame is different, you'll need a transfercase, front diff, springs, shocks, driveshaft. I think the tail-end of the transmisison is different between 2wd and 4wd, so you'd have to change that out too. The floorpan is probably different too. So you'd to have to cut a big hole in the floor.
As for your gearing, look in the glovebox for the RPO codes. You can look them up here: http://www.gnttype.org/numbers/rpo.html

The generic GM RPO codes are towards the bottom of the page. Your truck probably has a 14-bolt rear-end.
 
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#3 ·
well being a 3/4 ton I would guess the gears at 3.73 or 4.10, as far as a converstion it is possible but you were told right it is very expensive.at the very least call a junk yard and get a 4wd truck with cab intact and just swap as much as possible over ie. motor, bed, front end, interior. Also make sure the junkyard has proper title to the truck. If that deters ya I'll just trade ya trucks.
 
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#5 ·
the 2 wheel drive trans has a longer tail shaft than the 4x4 version, I know on my older chev you just bolt on the adapter/ mount if it has the 4x4 short tail shaft you can't just find a tranny with the short tail shaft housing cause the 4x4 version is shorter than that. All the rest of what you want is alot of fab work, I've seen a couple of new chevs that have been converted and they look great, best of luck to yah
 
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