Installing 4WD?

[SK Productions]

I know it's probably going to cost more than what the truck's worth, but I have a truck in really nice shape and I'd like it to have 4WD. A buddy told me I didn't need to touch my transmission, which I thought I did. I have the standard 4L60E Transmission. I wanted to ask how hard it would be, pricing for the parts, and the best prices? I'd be willing to rebuild a transfer case myself. (I need to learn anyway)

Wanting to know this so I can start pinching my pennies for next spring.

 

[df2x4]

I'm not sure on the specifics, but the frames have major differences. I've seen this brought up a few times over the years and the general answer is always that it would be easier/cheaper to just buy a different truck. The 2WD and 4WD 4L60Es have different output shafts as well, maybe some other stuff.

EDIT - You could look into a solid axle swap, pretty sure I've seen people do that to C1500s. That would involve quite a bit of fabrication and a large increase in ride height though.

 

[SK Productions]

Well darn. Was hoping I could make it work.

 

[98chevy2500SS]

You could make it work, my dad just swapped in a second gen Dodge solid axle with coil springs on a 2WD dually. Took a long time to complete, but rides just as good as the factory IFS, not as stiff as a leaf spring solid axle. With the solid axle, your truck will be lifted about 4 inches.

But, I have to agree with @df2x4, it's just easier to buy a truck with that stuff already on it. You could buy a 4WD parts truck, take your truck's body/box/front end off of the 2WD frame, then place it on the 4WD frame. I think that would be the easiest way to go about doing this.

 

[SK Productions]

JEEZ I don't want to do that lol. I just don't want to buy another truck, when I have one in darn near perfect condition. I can live without 4WD, but I'd like to get a small lift on it with some bigger tires and a bedcover, but it's weird having it like that when it's only 2wd

 

[98chevy2500SS]

Lol, yeah it's a bit of work swapping from 2WD to 4WD. There is a thread on lifted 2WDs on this forum somewhere, they might be able to give you some advice and tips with installing a lift kit on a 2WD.

 

[stutaeng]

Yeah, not really worth it. If you do, just get rolled a 4x4 doner. Might be easier to just swap frames and engine, although I have never seen that personally.

Do you have the G80 locker at the rear? I have that on my 2WD Silverado 99 NBS, and has worked really well for me. I've got a steep grade at the rear of my alley and when I drive in on an angle one of the rear tire loses traction. Sometimes the G80 kicks in an I get more traction, mostly when wet. Sort of like this:

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It's no 4x4, but better than a 2wd open diff.