Im currently in the progress of taking a 2 wheel drive automatic 1986 chevy siverado pick and coverting it to a 4x4. My question is this i know that in a manual truck the tunnel for the transmission is taller by about 2 to 3 in or so but is the tunnel taller for a 2 whell drive auto to a 4 wheel drive auto.

Ps the reason for the swap is the body is in pufect condition and for 300 buck i could pass it but it not 4 wheel drive. I was lucky to find a 4 wheel drive truck for free that macanically sound but the body has seen better days. But the free truck is a manual 4 wheel drive so it not a good sorce for info. I already have the auto 4x4 tranny 700r4 form another truck with less then 500 miles on it (it was in a wreck). Thinks for any help. (thought this would also help any that may what to say that the swap is expencive but not when all ur part are there).

http://www.fullsizechevy.com/forums/ would be a good place to ask.

Wouldn't it be easier to install the auto in the 4x4 truck and then swap the body? The 4x4 frame might be different, I think it is. JMO

Bill

Wouldn't it be easier to install the auto in the 4x4 truck and then swap the body? The 4x4 frame might be different, I think it is. JMO

Bill

That was what i was going to do if the frame on the 4x4 is any good but i stell need to know if the tunnel is tall enough for the 4x4 conversion

You could cut out the tunnel of the 4x4 and weld it into your good cab if needed. I would think the tunnels to be the same size.

Bill

i was think the same thing for autos but i was read a forum from http://www.fullsizechevy.com and it seem that a manual it in al rights a better tranny when it comes to reliability and cost. So i my cut the tunnel out for the 4x4 cause it be a manual it all there. I do have another 86 chevy truck 4x2 manual and i never wish to go back i love a manual for the shear fact there just more fun thinks for all ur help. We'll see what i do but any info is nice like will the 700r4 even work in a tuck that originally a 350 tranny but has the wiring for the 700r4 it has the for plug thinks

Wow.... spellcheck please for the love of god, I think you probably need to be good and drunk to make any sense of those random ramblings, in which case you'd probably misinterpret it!

The auto tranny tunnel is the same in a 2wd and a 4wd. That granny gear 4 speed is a much better tranny than the 700r4. You can take the hump from the 4wd cab,and put it in the 2wd cab. Not sure of the frames though.

The auto tranny tunnel is the same in a 2wd and a 4wd. That granny gear 4 speed is a much better tranny than the 700r4. You can take the hump from the 4wd cab,and put it in the 2wd cab. Not sure of the frames though.

thinks for the help. and yes i do believe the frames to be the same.

And to the guy above about my spelling my bad i have a small form of dislexea (if i spelled that right) my mind goes faster than my hands can type so i mess up in the future ill try and remember to spell check what i post.

But after rereading what i wrote it look to be a more grammer problem and engish was my strong suit

hah sorry man, didn't mean anythign by it, just for reference though you will probably get more help and more accurate info/advice if you could try to be a little bit more clear. Glad to hear you got things figured out, manuals are the best.

www.67-72chevytrucks.com they have a great forum for al year chevy/gmc trucks. they would definately have the info your looking for.

The frames for the two trucks are totaly different. The 2wd has coil springs in the front and the 4wd has leafs. The tranny hump issue is not to big of a problem because alot of the 2 and 4wd humps would just unbolt and you could put in the taller hump needed to clear the transfer case and tranny. It can be done but its gonna be some work for sure. I have been around these trucks for years so feel free to contact me if you need more info.

Andy

um my hump doesnt unbolt like most and for the frames and different cant u just anbolt the coil sping set up and bolt in the leaf spring set up. just a thought

The frames are different. the coil springs are mounted into the frame bucket that is part of the frame. The 4x4 frame does not have that ,it is designed for leafsprings

Well i finally found out what im going to do i believe the tunnel to be tall enough. But if it not ill lift the body and inch or so to make it tall enough ( theres more then on way to skin a cat or truck right) think for the help

That was what i was going to do if the frame on the 4x4 is any good but i stell need to know if the tunnel is tall enough for the 4x4 conversion

Yes it will work. I just finished a swap just like that one. No problems.

Well i finally found out what im going to do i believe the tunnel to be tall enough. But if it not ill lift the body and inch or so to make it tall enough ( theres more then on way to skin a cat or truck right) think for the help


How are you going to get around the coil spring/leaf spring issue?

Andy

The coil spring is actually supported by the bolt in 2wd crossmember. Coil spring is actually located outside of the frame rail. I removed a complete 85 2wd pickup front end by un bolting it and installing it in my 64 Chevy 1/2 ton 2wd. Disc brakes & 5 lug bolt pattern.
Once the crossmember is un bolted you are left with two straight frame rails that will accept the leaf suspension from the donor truck. I wish the newer Chevy trucks were still this simple. It's a bolt in swap.

LK