starting crew cab project, 2wd into 4wd HELP!

[pistol45]

trying to get things lined out so I can get this crew cab started. its a 92 model crew cab centurian conversion dually 2wd. I have a front half frame of a 92 4x4 diesel truck that I was contemplating using by cutting my frame on the crew cab and welding this one in like what was done in the current issue of TDR. But I was looking at Darins rig on readers rig section and I was wondering if it would be easier to add a crossmember across the front and add the spring hangers and such to the frame vs having to cut the frame on truck. what do you all think?

 

[Hutchew]

Hmmmmmmmm.........

I would think that you could take all the stuff (crossmember, spring perches, etc... ... ) off your 4wd frame and bolt it right onto you 2wd frame. Don't have a clue how hard it be to gut the 2wd stuff out though... ... ...

 

[cummins2go]

Hi pistol45 I think the end result is a lot better if you use the frame you have. It is time conusuming, but you are not welding on the frame. If you take the motor out and front clip, bumper ect. off it is not that hard to do. Removing the 2 wheel drive parts is just a matter of drilling the rivots out and unbolting. Just make sure you take extra care when you measure to drill the holes for the crossmembers, which shouldn't be a problem if you have the 4 wheel drive frame to measure from. Let me know if I can be any help. Good luck!

Darrin

 

[pistol45]

thanks guys, im thinking the same about swaping everything over on the existing frame. I just dont want to takle that frame cutting and welding. Darin do you have anymore pics of your buildup and what springs did you use to get your lift?



as soon as I get started ill post up some pics of the progress too

 

[Hutchew]

Gettin' the rivets out...........

When I beefed up the front of mine, I found that the easiest way to get them out was to grind them flush, then punch them out with a drift and hammer. I replaced every major rivet in the front end with bolts, and fishplated the frame from behind the shock mounts to in front of the engine crossmember. I have broken the frame around the shock mounts on prior vehicles, and since I was stuffing a motor in that has more cajones than my frame was designed for, I figured it was good insurance to beef that whole area around the crossmember.

 

[pistol45]

thanks hutchew for all the input.

 

[cummins2go]

Pistol45 I have skyjacker 6" soft ride springs and I made a sub frame to lift and strengthen the frame and longer shackles I will email you some photos

Darrin

 

["Mad Max"]

2x4 - 4x4 = no sweat

P45 -



I did this 4x4 conversion on my 74, which as far as I can tell is exactly same frame as my 93. I took the engine crossmember from the 4x4 rig and carefully marked the holes on the 2x4 frame, drilled, and bolted it in with grade 8 bolts. Then took all the spring hardware and bolted it up after grinding off and punching out the big rivets. Don't forget the T-shaped bracket inside the frame for the rear shackle mount of the front springs. I converted to a dually front and rear, but the springs are same-same.

Use Skyjacker SoftRide springs. 2" lifts will give you close to stock - I went with 4" and I love it. I have a 6" set in the rear - check out my gallery.

Steering - 4x4's have an additional big honkin' plate that bolts between the steering box and the frame - and the pitman arm bolts up 90 degrees to the frame (on a Dana 60 it does, not sure about a 44), and the drag link connects downto the steering knuckle.

It sounds like a lot but it was really pretty easy - just time consuming, and it loks great - check out my dually in my gallery. If you want I can send you the digital pics of the conversionand major pieces-parts.



I'm also going to swap my 93 CTD into the spot where my big block 413 in the dually currently is... .

Good luck,

- Sam

If you want to chat, pm me and i'll send you my pohone number.

 

[pistol45]

thanks samsram sent ya a pm