So here is a thread for my 2001 Silverado SCSB stepside with a 4.8 and 4L60E and 4 wheel drive. Decided to pick up some parts and do the AWD swap on it. So parts include:

NVG-149 Transfer case with less than 10K on it
Front differential out of AWD equipped vehicle
AWD front drive shaft

So I had the parts looked over by a trans shop down the road and the guy said everything looks good so I will be doing the AWD swap now that the garage space is available. Ill try to take a few pictures of the swap.

 

It should make for a cool little truck and provide for a quite stable footprint should you decide to add more power down the road. I’m also quite sure that the folks that weren’t blessed with the AWD system from the factory and are on the fence about the conversion will really appreciate you documenting your progress and passing along what you find out along the way in conjunction with some photographs.

By the way, tell us more about your Poncho.

 

You really dont need the front diff. Just put it in 4hi and unplug the actuator on the front diff. Its hard to find a front diff that doesnt have 4.10s in it.

Unplug the tccm so you dont get the check 4x4 light.

 

how much did that transfer case set you back?

 

Unless you get one out of a C³, Yukon Denali or an Escalde, as they all had 3.73's unlike the Sierra Denali and SS trucks.

 

Yeah I decided to go with the AWD front diff. A buddy found one with 3.7s's and couldn't use it so I got it. Plus I got a guy that wants my old 4x4 front diff.

Also I wouldn't want the hubs to be locked permanently. Not sure how they'd hold up down the road.

 

In defense of black04’s method, engaging and unplugging the encoder motor only locks in the passenger side axle so that it works basically like the one piece axle of the AWD front differential. It doesn’t actually lock in a set of hubs.

While I personally would want the strength of the one-piece axle vs the 2-piece in a so-so performance scenario, I’m not going to say the other method wouldn’t work. Also for anyone that has a good front differential, they don’t have to replace the whole unit to have the AWD units one-piece axle, they would only need to locate the axle and axle housing, as the center section is the same between the 4WD & AWD units.

 

Not saying that one method is better than the other but its easier to swap from 4x4 to awd if you leave 4x4 front diff. That way if you ever have to get it on a 2wd dyno then its just a simple transfer case swap. But i guess you could just swap the tcase and not put the front driveshaft in just as easy.

 

I'll be keeping my eyes on this...I like the idea of swapping the front diff since I want 4.10's anyway, my current front diff is injured, and I like the idea of a one piece axle for the added strength.

 

I thought that running the AWD t-case without the front driveshaft would toast the t-case? Is this true?