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Apr 26th, 2026 | | AD Chevy Trucks  Over 6,000 pictures Brad Allen has an awesome collection of Chevrolet factory pictures that he has set up from film strips. Check them out!
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#64032 08/08/2006 2:55 PM | Joined: Jul 2006 Posts: 9 Junior Member | | Junior Member Joined: Jul 2006 Posts: 9 | I have a 53 ,3100 GMC that I drive daily. I would like to 4 wheel drive it. Open the drive line. But do it with a 235. I still want to keep it stock looking on the outside. How would a person do something like that? | | |
#64033 08/09/2006 6:15 AM | Joined: Oct 2003 Posts: 5,152 Cruising in the Passing Lane | | Cruising in the Passing Lane Joined: Oct 2003 Posts: 5,152 | There is one running around here that I see from time to time. I thought I had some pictures of it, but I can't find them. Its a long-wheel-base GMC 1/2-ton.
It appears to have 70's 1/2-ton four-wheel-drive axles using the stock springs. It has a V-8 and automatic, but that part isn't really your challenge.
Find axles that are not too wide, and realize that you are going to have to lift the truck up to fit the front axle underneath.
Find a 4-speed or 5-speed with transfer case, married or divorced, that are compatible, and from a Chevy or GMC, and then mount the 4-speed to your existing bellhousing, and add a crossmember to support the transfer case.
Then have drive shafts built.
Over simplified maybe, but unless you are going to go with a different frame with independent front suspension, you are going to need to raise the truck up. Going IFS four-wheel probably means a frame swap. Keeping the 235 either means using an adapter to put an automatic behind the 235, or the GM manuals that will fit your existing bellhousing.
I wish you were closer to me, this is a project I'd enjoy watching.
If I were doing this I'd try it different. I'd swap to a four-wheel-drive S-10 frame because it can allow keeping a stock ride height. Mounting a 235 in that frame might be a challenge...
1955 1st GMC Suburban | 1954 GMC 250 trailer puller project | 1954 GMC 250 Hydra-Matic | 1954 Chevy 3100 . 1947 Chevy COE | and more...
It's true. I really don't do anything but browse the Internet looking for trouble... | | |
#64034 08/09/2006 2:26 PM | Joined: Jul 2006 Posts: 9 Junior Member | | Junior Member Joined: Jul 2006 Posts: 9 | Thanks my man, I'm still kicking this thing around but one my buddys told me about the s10 thing. I wonder what model s10 would work? Heck I guess I could use the engine out of that thing too. | | |
#64035 08/10/2006 2:22 AM | Joined: Aug 2006 Posts: 20 Wrench Fetcher | | Wrench Fetcher Joined: Aug 2006 Posts: 20 | Keep this in mind as well Mike- if you keep the six, you will need an offset diff on the front axle to clear the oil pan. It isn't such a big deal with a v-8 because a v-8 has a shorter height than an I-6
-Lurch
-John
'61 Apache 10
'93 Suburban
'04 Envoy (Straight Six!!!)
If it ain't loud, I ain't interested
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#64036 08/10/2006 5:33 AM | Joined: Mar 2005 Posts: 1,029 Member | | Member Joined: Mar 2005 Posts: 1,029 | Toyota four bys used the 235, so maybe you could use the transfer case and axles from one of them. | | |
#64037 08/10/2006 6:56 PM | Joined: Jul 2006 Posts: 9 Junior Member | | Junior Member Joined: Jul 2006 Posts: 9 | I know ya'll are going to hate my guts but I like that S10 idea. But what about this, using a Toyota 4 runner are something like that? | | |
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