The Stovebolt Site Forums The Shop Area General Truck Talk newer frame

anyone have any info on putting a 57'chevy 3100 panel onto a 95' chevy tahoe frame? wheelbase is the same,one is 2x4 and other is 4x4. was wondering if 95' 4x4 could be made 2x4 without a bunch of hassle thanks

switching a truck from 2 wheel drive to 4 is as easy as never putting it in 4 wheel drive.

Seriously, you could remove the transfer case, driveshaft, front differential and half shafts and the other little related goodies like shifters and brackets and stuff. May need a few things from a true 2 wheel drive version like transmission output shaft and a driveshaft just to start.

personall I don't know why you would want to do such a thing

I'm wondering why you would choose a 4x4 frame for the swap if you don't want 4x4?

The Tahoe should be IFS with torsion bar suspension if I remember right. One concern is that four-wheel-drive Chevys of this era have pretty wide treadwidth. It might not fit well under the '57 body.

Along with Grigg I don't see any reason not to run four-wheel-drive if you've got it...

Are you planning to run the '95 engine and trans? If so, the part of the job I'd be most worried about is getting all the computer stuff right.

thanks for the response. the reason for possibly considering using a 4x4 frame is it became available very cheaply from a vandalized truck. i will check the track width of the 95' tahoe.nice to have a response from a local member. also the option of 4x4 for a tow rig is a plus.

I am considering the same swap for my '59 SWB Fleetside. The frame is nice and flat, the IFS is low to stay out of the way. Post Pics if you decide to go this way. May save many people lots of time. Thanks

The Tahoe wasn't available as a 2wd exept for the police version. If you do the conversion to 2wd, you will have to change the front spindles to one from a 2wd. The hub assemblies can separate if you remove the half shafts from them, the axle nut provides the pre-load and is the retainer that keeps them together. You may be able to use hub assemblies from a '99-'06 Silverado 2wd to convert it if the bolt pattern on the knuckle is the same.

If the half shaft holds the hub together then just cut the shaft at the joint and leave the important part in the hub.

You're welcome.

I used to tow with a standard two-wheel-drive pickup and now use a four-wheeler most the time. I have a gravel driveway with a steep grade and towing things up the driveway often was problematic.

Now with the four-wheel-drive its not problem.

My last trailer pulling road trip I got caught in a snow storm in Utah. Sure was nice to stick it in four-wheel and feel much more confident I would stay in control.

Was under an '02 2wd Escalade and an '89 Silverado 4x4, the hub assembly bolt patterns are the same. It would be easir toswap bubs than dissassemble the 1/2 shaft to use the outer stub.