The Stovebolt Site Forums The Shop Area General Truck Talk 4 x 4 Conversion ?

I am interested in converting a '55 - '59 pickup to four wheel drive.
It seems a lot of guys are using a later model Blazer chassis and power trains.
Is this a fairly "simple" conversion?
Are the wheelbases the same (or close)?
Are there any "how to" manuals or articles on this subject?

A Blazer will be short by about 10". I've seen guys use the shortbed pickup frames, they're close, about 2" longer, or use the drivetrain with the original chassis. I would opt for the latter, as it only involves some suspension mods, no body mount fabrication or frame lengthening. Seeing as the '55-'59 is already a leaf spring truck, it makes thing much easier. The drive axle can be installed using the existing suspension. You may need to get some deeper arched springs and/or rear ift blocks to get the ride hight up for clearance. I don't know of any how to manuals, but if you can find it, 4 Wheel and Off road magazine did a '57 conversion some time back. It was called Project Early Iron.

Andy,

I'm currently converting a 1959 3800 (one ton) to 4x4 dually

I've got a Dana 60 front axle from a 1987 Chev P/U and a Dana 70 rear axle form a 1992 Chev P-30 van. The Dana 60 will bolt up the the original leaf springs out front (same spacing) while the Dana 70 will require moving the spring perches in a little (I could have used a narrower rear end, but did not want to cut the sides of my box). I'll probably have to use 3" spacers between the rear axle and springs to raise the rear of the truck to level it out.

I plan on mounting a NP-205 Transfer Case (gear drive) to power the front axle. I'm using the original frame (after reinforcing it).

I don't have any recent pictures, but plan on taking some shortly as I proceed. PM me for more information.

Lane

Andy:
Have you considered a NAPCO conversion? It is a fairly "bolt-in" process. Also, when you are done, it will have a semblance of "period correctness." While the end result is not as modern as a Blazer conversion, there are many that would certainly value a NAPCO truck of that era. FYI: I changed the differentials from 3.90 to 3.38 on mine using Patrick's conversion kits. With an OD trans and 283 I think it should be OK since I didn't want a rock climber.

I converted a 57 3/4 ton to a 4x4. I used a 1981 LWB Chevy frame. The frame widths are exactly the same, 31.5" if memory serves me correctly. I had to shorten the frame by 10.5". I welded 3/8" steel, diamond shaped, gussets on the inside of the frame, as well as butt welding the frame where I made my cuts. I mounted the bed flat to the 81 frame and let that elevation be the baseline for the height to mount my cab and fenders. I mounted the original cab mounts from the 57 frame to the 81 frame. The rear mounts mated flush, but i had to build some reiforced spacers to go on top of the front cab mounts. I also had to fabricate spacers to mount the core support. This all sounds complicated, but it really wasn't. The transfer case shifter came up perfectly in the cab. I also had to have the drive shaft shortened and balanced. The 81 frame makes a dip down just behind the front tires and that's where fabrication is needed to support the front of the cab. Give me your email address and I can shoot you some pictures if you like. It came out really nice.

This is really stretching my poor memory cells because I did the installation in 1985, but I remember some of the things I had to do to make my 55 into a 4x4.
My 55 Cameo is a 4x4 conversion and I used the running gear from a 76 Blazer with the 203 transfer case converted to a part time unit. There is a slight difference in the width of the spring pads on the axles, but it was no problem to remove a little metal from the pads of the 76 axles and re drill for the different location of the spring bolt.
I used a different drag link and pitman arm, but I can't remember what vehicle donated the unit, except to say that it was a GM truck. I used the 55 spring pads and the 55 shock mounts. I am using the stock 55 steering box in the stock location.
Both the front and rear ends mount below the spring, and I needed to find longer U bolts and use lowering blocks between the rear springs and the new rear end to raise it up to match the height of the front.
My rear drive shaft had already been modified to mount an overdrive unit and I was able to use the Blazer drive shaft for the rear. I can't remember making any changes to the front shaft.
The Blazer front and rear end are wider than the original, but because the truck is raised by the installation, clearance is not a problem.
It was a lot of work, but all the problems can be solved by anyone with reasonable mechanical ability and the patience and desire to have a slick looking 4x4.
I am using the Blazer Ralley wheels. They stick out a bit, but there are no rubbing problems because the vehicle is raised 4 inches.
Bob

Is there any chance I could see these photos also?
I'm interested in seeing the frame mounting details of the box, cab and rad.

Please advise,
Zeke
[email protected]

Ezekial,

I'd be glad to shoot you some pictures, but it will be later this weekend. I'm at work right now, and those pictures are on my home computer. I'm leaving this afternoon for the Moultrie Georgia swap meet, but should be back by Sunday. I'll get you some then.

Andy,

I can send you some at the same time if you would like.