The Stovebolt Site Forums The Shop Area General Truck Talk 2WD to 4WD conversion on my 66

Has anybody out there swapped frames with a later model 4WD frame on mid 60's trucks? Ive got a 66 2WD C-10 now and also have an 83 K-10 frame and running gear (both longbeds). How hard is it to swap the chassis and would it be easier to put the 4x4 axles on the stock 2WD chassis? I know its going to need the trans tunnel swapped for a 4x4 piece. I've seen this done and would like to do it to this truck, i think it would look great. Also, im not interested in finding a stock 66 4x4 frame because of the old drum brakes and divorced cases. Any help out there would be appreciated and if anyone has done this swap and taken pictures you would be a godsend.

I think you'll have trouble with the fit, a buddy of mine did this with his 72, they put it on a 77 chassis. I can't remember all the details, but they had to do alot of work to get the body lines to match between the cab and bed. My vote would be to put the later axles on the original frame. You really may want to consider using a divorced T-case though, you could keep your original tranny if you wanted and there'd be no need to modify the trans tunnel. Good luck with it and keep us posted. This is a swap I'd like to do some day if I run across a 64-66 body.

My cousin did it on Grandmas 69 C-10. He put the axles & such in the original frame from an 80 something burb. It looks good & 4 wheels great. There was a how to article in one of the 4X mags several years back that had some pretty good detail on how to do it.

Now what's wrong with a divorced transfer case? They provide great balance and flexibility. Not to mention they are unique. My 58 Chevy has one, a Spicer 23 with a PTO, and I love it. I would try to keep the 2 wheel drive frame and add the springs and axles to that. Most likely this is what they did at the factory. At least that is what they did for 55-59, not sure above that though. If it is a 66, it may have used NAPCO axles.
Michael

I put the complete running gear from the 203 transfer case, and both differentials into a 55 Chev. The source vehicle was a 76 Blazer. I didn't have any major problems.
I like the 203 transfer case, but I have modified it to a part time unit.
I think the big thing about the separated transfer cases what that they are stronger. I have never been really hard on the 203, even though I am running a 396 engine.
I think the frame swap would be a lot of extra work for virtually no advantage.
Bob

i put a '64 chevy c10 onto a '78 chevy suburban frame wasn't really all to hard just had to use some 2x2 square tube as shims original intent was body lift but i needed to use two stacked plus the body mounts from the suburban in the front for the core suport and just a single 2x2 for all four monting spots for the cab and then for the bed just the front 4 mounts need a 2x2 and the back four are just on the frame i also had to cut off bout 8 in. of frame on the back cause it stuck out that far. big thing is to take all the mounting brackets off the your 66 frame and bolt them to your new frame (core support ones can be left on just need a plate to move the hole back? i couldn't relocate cause the powersteering gear) and my clutch linkage is all rigged up cause i couldn't find the right parts so i used several pieces from differen't trucks, you'll also have to shorten the steering shaft 1 in. give or take a hair if you use the original column not sure what you'll all have to do to use a newer one.... any other questions feel free to ask i can get pictures for you but it won't be till next weekend when i go up to mom and dads for a visit (currently living in wisconsin to go to college) i should be able to answer most questions i did my build on a budget i just used what i had and maybe spent $100-$150 for other things also i sacrifcied power brakes to eliminate the expense of asprin it still stops just fine so i have no complaints on not have power brakes i hope this all helps if i forgot anything or if theres something missing just ask and i'll give the best answer i can and i'll get a bunch of pics for you next weekend
Nate

Thanks for the good info everybody....
Oldironchevy, yes, if you can get some pics that would be great. You can send them to my e-mail, click on my name for the address. If anyone else has any ideas, im listening.

The reason im not using the divorced cases is because i dont have one. I have 10 bolt front and rear diffs along w/ a turbo 350 and a 203 t-case. Im going to use the power steering box off the frame because its a hydroboost unit (ex military truck). Im thinking it would probrobly be easier to transfer all the 4x4 parts to the 66 frame and i think i'll head in that direction. I will take photos along the way and document the process so anyone else who wants to do this will not share in my frustration!

Anybody else care to comment???????

I dont have a divorced case,nor do i want one, i am however using a 203 case and am going to convert it to part time 4WD. The hydroboost was off of a diesel but didnt they also use them on 1 ton duallys? I see classic industries selling hydrboost kits for street rodders.
Im just looking for cheap and easy answers to my 4x4 dilemas....i wonder if there are any?

I do have a running, driving 89 suburban w/ a tbi350, 700r4 trans and 10 bolt front and rear w/ 3.73 gears. Do they make stand alone computers for the tbi and trans? i could use lots of parts off of this truck and junk the rest. Havent had much luck selling it and i only paid $1200.00 for it last winter. Drove it all winter without so much as a hiccup, ran awesome.

What do you think guys, should i scavenge parts off of the sub and build my truck or go back to my origional plan and stick with the 350/350-203 case plan and sell the sub to finance the rebuild?

i you can and long as you have it i'd look into the TBI350 and overdrive auto it'll make for a nice cruiser and decent mileage me personaly i like going the carb route just because i like old stuff but the whole fuelinjection setup sounds like a neat idea
Nate
p.s. i got those pics for you just need to label them all and what not