if you want a good read on designing a 4x4 conversion, this thread is worthwhile...he did it on an older sprinter but much of work would apply to any GM IFS 4x4 conversion: Sprinter 4WD Conversion Idea, GMT-800 IFS.
Thanks! I'll take a look. I guess it's time for an Expedition Portal membership.if you want a good read on designing a 4x4 conversion, this thread is worthwhile...he did it on an older sprinter but much of work would apply to any GM IFS 4x4 conversion: Sprinter 4WD Conversion Idea, GMT-800 IFS.
In going back through this thread, I found this post, which shows that the pickup truck torsion bar crossmembers are also mounted on rubber bushings. Interesting.2008, 2005 & 2015 Torsion bar crossmembers compared.
Note the curvature of the 2008...
Oh yeah, thanks for bringing that up! I knew I'd have to move the diesel fuel pallet off the trans crossmember in order to mount a T-Case and front drive shaft. If the torsion bars go above the trans crossmember like they do on the pickup trucks, then I'll have to reorganize the fuel pallet out of the way right at the beginning in order to convert from coil springs to torsion bars.fabricating the torsion bar mounts won't be much work, you will have to pull your fuel system components out (they have to be relocated anyways). The transmission crossmember will have to be modified. The real work comes when you install the front differential, designing a mounting system to package it around the engine and staying clear of the steering will be a lot of work. It would me much easier to do with the body off..
If I had gone the IFS route, I would have definitely started with a truck lift that included a differential drop structure (then just modified that to my liking).Someone mentioned using a off the shelf lift kit would make the space required to do the fab, did anyone confirm this? by adding said space, could we use/weld in HD truck Motor mounts free up further space and potentially use the OEM front diff aluminum banana (for lack of better name) on the passenger side.?
I know this thread started with someone wanting 4x4 but with next to no lift...
I am extremely interested this thread as i want to build a Class C motorhome (GM cutaway Express/Savanna) with 4x4 and Duramax. i am sourcing a parted out a 06 2500 Express van to use the frame and and a HD truck donor as guinea pigs!
And even beyond that...The van frame is really too flat to do a "zero lift" 4x4 conversion (with a duramax). You just don't have the necessary realestate between the diff housing and the oil pan and the drivers side motor mount solution is very tough to work through.
Had a duh moment...The real work comes when you install the front differential, designing a mounting system to package it around the engine and staying clear of the steering will be a lot of work. It would me much easier to do with the body off..
I would get the entire front 2/3rds the frame, you will want to be able to solve all the problems from the back of the transfer case to the steering box..Had a duh moment...
I can probably source the front frame section of a van from a local friendly junk yard in order to build a mockup and figure out what the clearance problems are going to be. Doing this would be a lot more motivating to me, because I can go through the relative drudgery of relocating the diesel fuel pallet and such while knowing that the end result will work. I won't be taking on that effort at risk.