4WD to 2WD conversion

[Starcraft]

Because of my full size Chevy trucks being 4WD, plus the fact I just bought the wife a new car, I\'m considering changing our 85 S10 Blazer 4x4 over to a 2WD. It\'s already equipped with a 350, but what about the frame? Is there a large difference in the 2WD and 4WD frames? Can I convert my existing frame to 2WD or do I need to get a new frame? Thanks, Jim C.

[89blaze]

it would be easier to get a new frame.

[Starcraft]

That figures. Maybe I\'ll just keep the thing up for sale and start all over again. Thanks

[spacecadet]

If you install a 2wd trany and remove the t-case, front diff and seperate the f axels. you will have as 2wd with adjustable torsion bar front end. Seperateing the axels isn\'t to hard. Just leave in the outer cv joints to hold the wheeel bearings in place. Remove the shaft, the balls & cage and the boot.

A friend did the same thing. It seems to be fine. It would be easier than buying a frame or building another truck.

[Starcraft]

OK Spacecadet, you\'ve sparked my interest back up. How long has your friend been running this setup? Removing the tranny and transfer case was my intention, I need the tranny for my full size truck. From looking at the setup in this Blazer, it looks like I could just replace the existing spindles with 2WD spindles. Not the case apparently?

[spacecadet]

No, cant change spindals. The lower ball joints on the 2wd point up, and the 4wd point down.

He had the truck for about a year. Then sold it. The kid he sold it to wrecked it. It was a little too powerfull to learn how to drive with. I\'ve been thinking of building another. By doing it this way. In NY 2wd\'s are almost impossible to find. There out there but I don\'t know where! I have one 4wd blazer parts left. its in rough shape.

[Starcraft]

What about lowering the front end? By setting it up this way, would cranking down on the torsion bars be the only way to lower it? What about ride characteristics lowering it this way?

[MOREPOWER]

My truck was a 4x4. Took the transfer case and front diff outa it. Made a crossmember to take place of from diff for strenght. Had to take cv joints apart cus u gotta keep part that bolts into the rotor. I had to move the cross member back about and inch or so. But i used a 350 motor, with turbo 400 trans. Drive shaft i had to get longer or shorter i can\'t remember. But it works just fine been 3 years.

[Starcraft]

morepower, your truck looks great. I see you\'re retaining that 4WD look, have you tried lowering it at all? And you mentioned moving the crossmember back, you\'re talking about the tranny crossmember right?

[speeder]

I have changed mine over, too from 4X4 to 2WD. Extended cab 84 with 350 and TH400 trans with shortie tailshaft and bolt-on yoke. I did not make a X-member in the front, but left the outer CV joints in. I did the get X member from Summit for the TH400. The TD X member from summit needed a little adjustment, but it worked. I had to lengthen the shaft, the shorter piece.

I just installed a ford 9\" as the rearend. I still have one that is perfect for a 4X4 S10, it is from a 73 cougar, but it has small bearings and 28spline axles.

[HILROD]

MY TRUCK USED TO BE 4x4 i WELDES 2WD OUTER CONTROL ARM ENDS TO MY CONTROL ARMS AND USED 2WD SPINDLES.

[Starcraft]

Hilrod, from what you\'re saying, you welded the ball joint end of 2WD lower control arms to your existing 4WD lower control arms so you could use the 2WD spindles? What about the torsion bars from the 4WD, did you retain them? If so, how did you lower it?

[HILROD]

Still has torsion bars I just made a threaded bracket that bolted under the crossmember to lower the adjusting bolt.