We need a 2WD to 4WD/AWD thread
 

I know there is at least one member here who has done this.. I know from crawling under both at a lot that the 2wd and 4wd/Awd share alot of the front suspension.. Just kind of wanted to get an official thread.. See if anyone knows it all about this Denali-08 has his truck converted with a 6L80 and AWD.. also just a thought, couldnt you use an older 4l80/4l60 and AWD/4WD case to do the job without the added cost of the 6l80?

How does the front differential mount on the 4wd.. appears to me that they mount to the bolt in crossmember between the control arm mounts??? if that were the case you could swap the crossmember, the unit bearings, and viola there is now a front diff??? i think the rest looks the same if i am not mistaken..

COME ON AND CHIME IN.. looking to blow some cash and make my truck do snow and ice a little better, without adding 1000 lbs of snow to the bed..:bang:

I don't know anyone who has done a 2wd to AWD/4wd. The front suspension is quite different.

Maybe not 1000 lbs but quite a bit when you are using an aluminum scoop!

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You know, it is amazing how heavy that stuff gets. i thought I was the only one that did that for weight!!LOL Makes sense, its free, and when it gets warm it just melts and gets more compact if its a chinook and later freezes again.

Might not be 1000lbs but I'm sure its 4-500...my truck sits a good 2-3" lower with the bed partially filled (I don't go over the height of the rear window just for visibility). Thats a little less then when I brought home a 455/T400 combo in the back (that is 800 lbs or so complete with crate as well) That and some winter tires on 17" rims and I have driven just fine on roads where lots of 4x4's are in the ditch. Of course most of that is just driver as well I think....

Its a big deal, might be upgrading soon, trying to decide if I want 6.2L 6 speed with 2wd or 4wd. Only a few days a year where a guy really needs 4wd up here (unless you are off-roading all the time) but it could save your life. Tough call.

Been there done that. :chug:


and yes you can use the 4l60 if you want, is almost the same thing, I was going to use the 4l60 but the 6l80 caught my eye...
everything can be done guys, but just remember that is something that has not been done before, and will not be direct fitment.
if you want the conversion to be bolt on, just cut the front frame of a 4x4 or awd truck adn weld it to yours. or just custom made like I did..

Still need some more details.. I have found a few people who did a 4wd to AWD convert.. I am kind of torn between the two,, I also was wondering how a person could make all the wiring work should he get the AWD differential and case.. How to make it all work..

come on people post up what you know. Only way to gather info is to give info..

I am gonna try take pictures this weekend and will make a thread about it.

Awesome Denali-08.. I am awaiting impatiently.. I think i have answered my own question on the issue reguarding the transfer case... I think you may have done more to your truck than i plan to but the information would be priceless... I really am going to go lay in a parkinglot under a AWD denali now and see what i can see.. I am worried about the wiring now.. I can make nearly anything work, but if it is some kind of PWM crap or something that will be impossible...

Lets see some pics!!! LOL

Thanks again for the info..

Ima start gathering parts..

Need a case from an AWD TBSS or Silverado SS... on the cheap..

SUBSCRIBING!!!

Hopefully now all our questions will be answered.

I hope the swaps not that bad, so we can all do the swap and do AWD TAKEOFFS!!

I went car lot hunting last night and found a AWD tahoe up on a rack, i crawled beneath it and began comparing the frame to the frame on my truck, they appear identical save for there being 4 cup/brackets welded to the frame on the AWD/4WD frame that are used to mount the "dogbones" that hold up the differential, i do not see a huge issue here, the mounts on the frame seem easily replicated, and the mounting position i am sure is in a GM document showing frame measurements, if not take pictures of the frame with a ruler in position so you know where to place them, weld them on, and buy a front diff/CVaxles/Hubs and Viola' instant front wheel traction action.. :secret2:

Denali-08 please step in if im wrong.. :nunchuk:

By the way, i have a thread in the Drivetrain section here that goes through the transfer cases and which ones are best.. Seems the NVG149 from the Silvy SS and the NVG126 from the TBSS are both limited to no electronics.. YAY!!!
So perhaps this could happen, i think i may have landed a 6L80 as well.. Sweet.