Has any one here done this? looks like it should be fairly straight forward conversion. I am looking at a 2005 GMC5500 2wd and although it would probably do most of the time 4wd would be nice. If I decide to keep the truck a 2wd how high can I lift it with springs and super singles?

Thanks for any help


Malcolm

I would like to know this also.

how difficult or expensive is it to convert to 4wd?

Convering should be easy. It's finding the front axle that mght be hard. If someone finds a source let me know as well. You could use any pass drop divorced t-case I would think or you could get a new tailhousing from Suncoast and run a 261/263 out of a D-Max or a 271/273 out of a Superduty.

the only source I have found was from Monroe
But I have also seen regular 2500 converded just by getting a rear straight axel and cutting the ends and replacing the ends with your old front turning ends
takes alot of welding
saw it on the truck show on cable tv.

trying to do the same with my truck
but not untile some one has done it first

I guess it is up to me then... Not like I have not done a few conversions in my time. I am going to pull the transmssion and update it any how as the first mod. Will look at changing out the rear tail housing and adding a t-case while I am at it.



Malcolm

I looked in to this a while back .I had a parts guy at a dealership lookup parts numbers on 2wd and 4wd for comparison. the front springs ,steering box and pitman arm. and trans are the same stock for both. So you buy an axle, transfercase ,crossmembers, drivelines ,and lift the rear suspension ,oh and the wiring harness for the transfercase .I'm sure there's a lot of little things also . The prices the stealership gave me came to about $15,000 for the stuff I listed but I'm sure just getting along with the parts guy could save 1/3 or more.
Oh and I don't remember if 4wd has the same midship fuel tank.and stock the transfercase is devorced.

I called Monroe about their kit and the dont sell it anymore. I think the guy told me it was around $17,000.00 . That price may be with install, I'm not sure. Could you use rockwell axles like all the rockcrawlers use? There are a few guys on ebay selling 5-6 ton axles and transfercases. How stout of an axle would you need for these trucks? What axle does the stock one come with? would a dana 60 be enough?

They come with a D70 front. Might try a salvage yard that has a national parts locator source. Probably could get a axle for $2500 or less if you could find one.

Thanks for the great info, maybe a 2wd pre runner is better with a kick ass front bumper/winch combo.

Malcolm

Anyone with pucs of a 2wd lifted?

Anyone with pucs of a 2wd lifted?
Check out my garage. I have a couple pics of my lifted 2wd there.

Wow! That's a nice looking rig you got there! I am planning to get a Chevy 4500 in the future, and don't really want to get a 4wd if I can still get the height with a 2wd. Thanks!