C10 k10 2wheel drive to 4 wheel drive

[Chevtruck]

Hey, I have both a rust free 84 Chevy c10 2 wheel drive and a 85 4 wheel drive with some major rust. The frame on the 85 may need some added steel. I have access to pretty much every tool but a lift. I bought the 84 truck for the rust free body planning to put it on the 85 frame. I am wondering exactly what it takes to change the 2 wheel drive frame to a 4 wheel drive. I have both complete trucks. Does the swap from 2 wheel drive to 4 wheel drive require new holes to be drilled or is it just a matter of changing out the brackets? Which I can easily do. Any info will be great

 

[bucket]

It helps that you have a complete donor truck. Be prepared for lots of hole drilling though. Opinions vary on which method is preferred and each has it's pros and cons, but it's really up to you.

 

[HotRodPC]

wish to hell you were closer. I think I'm about to scrap an 80 GMC K10 shell including the 4x4 frame and springs. Pretty much gutting the whole truck. Axles, motor, trans, tcase and crossmember, seat etc. The interior is ****. Letting the steering column go too, but keeping the gear box. The body is rusty and rotted, but the frame seems to be OK.

 

[bucket]

HRPC, is it a tilt column?

 

[HotRodPC]

HRPC, is it a tilt column?

OH come on now. Does a chicken have lips??? I would NOT scrap a tilt column. I also would not scrap any manual trans column tilt or not.

 

[sean1960]

What's a manual trans tilt column worth these days?

 

[HotRodPC]

What's a manual trans tilt column worth these days?

Being you're in TX, it's worth all you can get out of it, if you were in OKC, I'd say it's not worth a damn thing. I woudln't mind having one. Cuz I want to run a B&M Ratchet Auto shifter and don't want all the N P safety switch, back up lights and the collar nub for the auto shift stick sticking out. But honestly, not sure what they are worth. I recently sold an 80 GMC Auto non tilt column for $25. The guy just needed the guts out of it to rebuild his.

 

[sean1960]

I was just wondering I have one in storage but I think I'll hang on to it for now. I may need some parts off of it in the near future.

 

[HotRodPC]

I need to pull the auto tilt column in the 85 K1500 apart. It got loose and has the notorious wheel float and wobble.

 

[sean1960]

I need to pull the auto tilt column in the 85 K1500 apart. It got loose and has the notorious wheel float and wobble.

Thats what the column is doing in my truck. I keep saying I need to fix it. I just don't like working on steering columns, to time consuming.

 

[HotRodPC]

Thats what the column is doing in my truck. I keep saying I need to fix it. I just don't like working on steering columns, to time consuming.

and tedious and delicate !!! I don't like working on them either, but I'm gonna have to sooner or later. I have a later model 4 spoke steering wheel I want to put on anyway, so at least I'll get something out of it when I decide to dive in. It's my understanding there are 4 bolts way in there that are loose that I'll have to take out put some lock tight on them and snug them back up and it will never be an issue again.

 

[Chevtruck]

Does anyone know if any of the holes will line up, or is it basically starting from scratch when putting the 4x4 axle on the 2 wheel drive frame? I think I have a plan to put the brackets on the 2 wheel drive frame. Anyone wth more info or ideas throw them out there. Thanks

 

[bucket]

Does anyone know if any of the holes will line up, or is it basically starting from scratch when putting the 4x4 axle on the 2 wheel drive frame? I think I have a plan to put the brackets on the 2 wheel drive frame. Anyone wth more info or ideas throw them out there. Thanks

There are no holes to line up, you have to drill just about every one of them. You can make templates easily though since you have the donor truck. Drilling holes isn't the big deal though, most people hate busting the frame rivets and dealing with swapping the engine cross member.

 

[crazy4offroad]

The rivets aren't too bad if you drill the heads of them with 1/4" - 3/8" drill bit first, then use an air chisel to pop the head off. Then a hammer & drift will knock out what's left.

 

[Swims350]

I've seen it done on another site.

Most just have to drill holes and have the old frame to go by with alot or measuring.