The Stovebolt Site Forums The Parking Lot Big Bolts Anyone turned their big bolts into a 4x4s

I have been considering turning my 6400 into a 4x4 by using a pair of duece and a half axles and maybe 46-49 military tires. Has anyone done it before?

George has

https://www.stovebolt.com/ubbthreads/ubbthreads.php?ubb=showflat&Number=569046#Post569046
http://rides.webshots.com/album/574360845PNslkT

I have seen his truck and that is what started me thinking about this. I just wondered if anyone had any experience with the toploading 2.5 ton axles under this trucks.

What are your goals and intended use for the truck?

I'm sure it can be done, you can plop just about any vehicle on top of Rockwell axles, it'll all more or less the same amount of fabricating.
It's not like you're trying to make the axles fit under the truck and tires in the fenders and look normal are you?

It'll be a reasonably slow truck, still.
What did you have in mind for power to turn big tires? Or stock engine and rely on the low gearing to putt around?

Grigg

I had a 1-ton AD years ago that had military ambulance type axles under it. I didn't do the conversion and no longer remember how any of it was done.

There is an AD pickup I've seen parked at a car lot, as advertising, not for sale, probably 60 or 70 miles away from me. It was setting on top loader type axles and was lifted high enough you could just about walk under it.

So yes its been done. Its a big fabrication project that results in a truck with limited utility.

the truck will be used to haul my toyota rock crawler out to the river "where we go 4 wheeling" its about 40 miles away. It will also be used around the farm to haul sand, gravel, trash to the dump. I found a dump bed. It may see a parade or two. It would be nice to be able to drive the tow rig back threw the riverbed incase someone breaks down. I was thinking of a way to bob the fender and still have it look nice like the old power wagons or something. I have a 454 with a 4 speed and 205 transfer case. I also still plan to use the browie box behind the transfer for an overdrive on the highway. With 6.72s in the axles and the brownie i will be right around 2700 at 65 mph with a 46" tire.

My 4x4 system was made specifically for an AD 2 ton, so you can't consider mine an engineering masterpiece. Sounds like you have some big plans and I'm sure the problems could be figured out. If you want something capable of doing 65 mph, I would try to find a later model frame/running gear and swap the body over to it. I think it would be safer and easier to do as well.

Good luck, George

You might try looking for an American-Coleman conversion. They were the ones who made the original 4x4 conversions that GM used on the 2 and 2.5 ton trucks up into the '70s. The axle was used on many other trucks besides GM, and even on some Ag applications. They also manufacured the T case for it, in both part and full time versions. The full time version works similar to the modern 'cases, with a 2wd, 4x4 full time, 4x4 locked, neutral, and 4x4 low range positions.
If you do go with 2.5 ton Rockwells, you'll want to consider a different 'case, the 205 is far too light for that application.

I suppose all that can be done, but I don't see the need or value in it.
Going to be a lot of trouble and some money for, in my mind, a truck that's not as good or as useful as it once was.
It'll be different, and that may be about all it has going for it.
At least those are my thoughts on the idea, please don't take it the wrong way or let my opinions keep you from building the truck you dream of.

Above all else (except safety) build the truck to suit yourself, those are the most important things.
Grigg

This guy has one for you.

http://eugene.craigslist.org/cto/1522060959.html

Mine came with 4WD
Scott

The reason i am here is to get everyones opinions. I am still trying to decide what direction to take my new project. I know 4x4s better than i do street trucks so that is why i was leaning that way, but i do want this truck to be somewhat mannered on the street.

I have dreamed of having a 4x4 big bolt, so I say go for it. On the other hand, I have spent plenty of time at the river to know that it is not hard finding somebody to pull you out of trouble.