62Blazer
Senior Member
The sentimental part is the only thing that would make this even remotely reasonable to do, and I understand where you are coming from. Typically two ways to go on this type of project:
1. Buy a complete 4x4 donor truck, like maybe one that was wrecked and the body is trash but frame and running gear is good. Then swap the body over. Of course I have to ask how much of the sentimental value this really retains and is something the original post has to think about. Not 100% familiar with the differences between this specific 2 and 4wd truck but would guess that would be the easiest route and the least amount of custom fabrication.
2. Again, buy a complete 4x4 donor truck and just swap over the 4x4 specific parts.....front axle, transfer case, transmission (or if you can modify the existing trans with different outputs and such). This depends on the frame differences between the 2 and 4wd models and would require you to do some research and comparisons. Could be mostly bolt on stuff or could require a lot of fabrication pending the factory differences in the frame. In regards to "lifting" the truck, aren't the suspensions basically identical between a 2 and 4wd with just a little taller springs on the 4wd versions on a 1500 series? Just from my observations everyday there doesn't appear to be a lot of height difference between factory 1500s.
In regards to a solid axle swap, that would require the most custom fabrication by far as there was never a factory version available in a 1500 truck of the same model. Asking what specific axle you need if a little bit of moot point as it's all custom anyway. Biggest issue is deciding if you wanted to keep the ABS and related electronics. The final question is do you really need a solid axle and is it best for your application. For serious wheeling, yes........for daily driving and a little overlanding do you need it, no.......... It can be done, but properly custom fabricating and setting up a solid front axle for freeway driving and good road handling requires some knowledge and experience.
1. Buy a complete 4x4 donor truck, like maybe one that was wrecked and the body is trash but frame and running gear is good. Then swap the body over. Of course I have to ask how much of the sentimental value this really retains and is something the original post has to think about. Not 100% familiar with the differences between this specific 2 and 4wd truck but would guess that would be the easiest route and the least amount of custom fabrication.
2. Again, buy a complete 4x4 donor truck and just swap over the 4x4 specific parts.....front axle, transfer case, transmission (or if you can modify the existing trans with different outputs and such). This depends on the frame differences between the 2 and 4wd models and would require you to do some research and comparisons. Could be mostly bolt on stuff or could require a lot of fabrication pending the factory differences in the frame. In regards to "lifting" the truck, aren't the suspensions basically identical between a 2 and 4wd with just a little taller springs on the 4wd versions on a 1500 series? Just from my observations everyday there doesn't appear to be a lot of height difference between factory 1500s.
In regards to a solid axle swap, that would require the most custom fabrication by far as there was never a factory version available in a 1500 truck of the same model. Asking what specific axle you need if a little bit of moot point as it's all custom anyway. Biggest issue is deciding if you wanted to keep the ABS and related electronics. The final question is do you really need a solid axle and is it best for your application. For serious wheeling, yes........for daily driving and a little overlanding do you need it, no.......... It can be done, but properly custom fabricating and setting up a solid front axle for freeway driving and good road handling requires some knowledge and experience.
