So rather to try and sell my truck to try and find a 4x4 5-speed, ive been doing alot of reading up on converting mine.
So the general rule from what ive read is to track down a donar truck on the cheap. Ive found a 4x4 5 speed gasser frame with axles trans and t case (1983) that im going to pick up sat.
So i will have just about everything i need suspension wise. But the axles( hd44 and d60) wont be any use to me, im going to keep my limited slip 70 rear and try and track down a matching 3.07 d60 front.
My goal is to have the front axle in and all steering figured out before i start the nv 4500 swap.
So as far as the solid axle conversion from what ive been reading online it seems pretty straight forward.
I have to swap the front crossmember, drill holes to mount the rear spring hanger, and drill a 1 and 5/8" hole for the shackle bushings? Ill take all the brackets, including the steering box from the donar frame.
The main questions i have are;
1. Will everything from the 83 frame work for my swap?
2. Can i use the hd44 to get everything mocked up untill i find a 60?
3. everything i read online says you have to use the 4x4 engine crossmember because the 2wd one will hit the front axle. But i plan on using 4 " lift springs when doing the conversion, im wondering if i can get away with using the 2wd engine crossmember with the lift springs? I really dont have the means to pull a cummins engine in my garage.
4. Any other things i should watch out for from the guys who have done this before?
Ive been looking into this alot online but any other info would be greatly appreciated. Thanks in advance.