2WD to 4x4 conversion?

Disclaimer: Links on this page pointing to Amazon, eBay and other sites may include affiliate code. If you click them and make a purchase, we may earn a small commission.

Joined
Feb 5, 2021
Posts
39
Reaction score
7
Location
Illinois
First Name
Daniel
Truck Year
1984
Truck Model
C20 GMC High Sierra 2500
Engine Size
454 7.4L
To make a c20 to a k20 do you have to do a frame swap? Or just suspension, transmission and drivetrain?


Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk
 

Curt

Full Access Member
Joined
Sep 11, 2017
Posts
676
Reaction score
1,140
Location
Loco Hills
First Name
Curt
Truck Year
1984
Truck Model
K-30
Engine Size
383
It would be easier to transfer your cab to a 4WD frame,unless you have good fabrication/welding skills.
 
Joined
Feb 5, 2021
Posts
39
Reaction score
7
Location
Illinois
First Name
Daniel
Truck Year
1984
Truck Model
C20 GMC High Sierra 2500
Engine Size
454 7.4L
It would be easier to transfer your cab to a 4WD frame,unless you have good fabrication/welding skills.
What is the difference in the frames?


Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk
 

Curt

Full Access Member
Joined
Sep 11, 2017
Posts
676
Reaction score
1,140
Location
Loco Hills
First Name
Curt
Truck Year
1984
Truck Model
K-30
Engine Size
383
Only difference is the front of the frame.2wd is coils,4WD is leaf springs.

You must be registered for see images attach


You must be registered for see images attach
 
Joined
Feb 5, 2021
Posts
39
Reaction score
7
Location
Illinois
First Name
Daniel
Truck Year
1984
Truck Model
C20 GMC High Sierra 2500
Engine Size
454 7.4L
Only difference is the front of the frame.2wd is coils,4WD is leaf springs.

You must be registered for see images attach


You must be registered for see images attach
Ohhh, do you know a way to change the IFS to leaf springs or is that where the fabrication comes in?


Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk
 

Curt

Full Access Member
Joined
Sep 11, 2017
Posts
676
Reaction score
1,140
Location
Loco Hills
First Name
Curt
Truck Year
1984
Truck Model
K-30
Engine Size
383
What year is the truck?If it’s 88’ or newer,there’s a host of companies that make 4WD conversions.

If it’s older,than the previously statement applies.I’m sure someone has done this before.YouTube may have some answers
 
Joined
Feb 5, 2021
Posts
39
Reaction score
7
Location
Illinois
First Name
Daniel
Truck Year
1984
Truck Model
C20 GMC High Sierra 2500
Engine Size
454 7.4L
What year is the truck?If it’s 88’ or newer,there’s a host of companies that make 4WD conversions.

If it’s older,than the previously statement applies.I’m sure someone has done this before.YouTube may have some answers
It’s an 84 3/4 ton. I’ve looked on YouTube and haven’t found what I was looking for


Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk
 

Curt

Full Access Member
Joined
Sep 11, 2017
Posts
676
Reaction score
1,140
Location
Loco Hills
First Name
Curt
Truck Year
1984
Truck Model
K-30
Engine Size
383
Offroad Design...if anyone can lead you in the right direction,they can.DIY4X might also be able to help.
 
Joined
Feb 5, 2021
Posts
39
Reaction score
7
Location
Illinois
First Name
Daniel
Truck Year
1984
Truck Model
C20 GMC High Sierra 2500
Engine Size
454 7.4L
Offroad Design...if anyone can lead you in the right direction,they can.DIY4X might also be able to help.
Awesome, thank you


Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk
 

Curt

Full Access Member
Joined
Sep 11, 2017
Posts
676
Reaction score
1,140
Location
Loco Hills
First Name
Curt
Truck Year
1984
Truck Model
K-30
Engine Size
383
Your welcome.Good luck.Can’t wait to see your project
 

80BrownK10

Full Access Member
Joined
Oct 22, 2019
Posts
1,878
Reaction score
1,240
Location
Greenwood, SC
First Name
Nate
Truck Year
1980
Truck Model
K10
Engine Size
350
To make a c20 to a k20 do you have to do a frame swap? Or just suspension, transmission and drivetrain?


Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk
Have you looked at both? As they say swapping cabs is the easiest thing to do. You will need a donor truck anyway. Need the frame, axle, and or axles since gears need to match in both...or regear the current rear or the new front to match. Will need the transmission /t case, both drive shafts. If your tunnel is different need to replace the runner in your truck, cut it for floor shifter. Or either need fab skills (need them anyway) to rework your frame, but you still need the rest of that stuff.
 
Joined
Feb 5, 2021
Posts
39
Reaction score
7
Location
Illinois
First Name
Daniel
Truck Year
1984
Truck Model
C20 GMC High Sierra 2500
Engine Size
454 7.4L
Have you looked at both? As they say swapping cabs is the easiest thing to do. You will need a donor truck anyway. Need the frame, axle, and or axles since gears need to match in both...or regear the current rear or the new front to match. Will need the transmission /t case, both drive shafts. If your tunnel is different need to replace the runner in your truck, cut it for floor shifter. Or either need fab skills (need them anyway) to rework your frame, but you still need the rest of that stuff.
Yeah, I knew I would most likely need a donor truck to make the swap easier. The only reason I’d rather convert it than sell it and buy a different one is because it’s my first one and I want to keep it in the family. Do some 4x4’s have 4.10 gearing?


Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk
 

Curt

Full Access Member
Joined
Sep 11, 2017
Posts
676
Reaction score
1,140
Location
Loco Hills
First Name
Curt
Truck Year
1984
Truck Model
K-30
Engine Size
383
No.More often then not,4.10s was used,but it could be a couple different ratios.If you end up piecing your truck together,make sure what ever ratio decide on,but axles must match.
 

Forum statistics

Threads
42,209
Posts
911,385
Members
33,712
Latest member
87R10_Cruising
Top