2x4 to 4x4

ZZebes · November 15, 2005

Hey guys, i just purchased a 2006 GMC Sierra Ext. Cab Short Box 2wd with the 5.3L motor. and i was wondering how hard it would be to convert it to a 4wd. here is why i ask.

It has Torsion bars up front and here is the weird thing, there is an autotrac transfer case mounting points already installed but there is no front drive shaft or diffirential but the mounts are there and there and it has 2wd spindles

chris_kucia · November 15, 2005

Weird. I would have thought that the 2wd trucks would have coil springs up front.

I don't know the answers to your question. I guess a big thing would be if the wiring harness for the 4wd is already in place. Next would be if the computer or BCM can handle activating those circuits.

Sounds like it might be easy to do mechanically, but these days the mechanical mods are typically the easy part - getting the electronics to work is the real hurdle.

willfxp · November 17, 2005

Why don't you just exchange it from the dealer?

fossil · November 17, 2005

Trade it in for one, you'll spend way more converting it than what it would cost on a trade, plus you won't void the warranty.

firstruck · November 17, 2005

are you sure what you bought is a 2wd? sounds like maybe its a 4x4 with the front running gear pulled out. why not post your vin ad see what its supposed to be.

Nick99Chevy · November 17, 2005

They make some 2wd's with torsion bars.

LogixRat · November 17, 2005

I agree with the others, why bother doing the conversion? Just trade it back in and get a 4wd if that is what you want. Less hassle and probably cheaper.

Denali_Dude · November 17, 2005

Several years back I converted an older Ford to 4x4, and man what I'd give to have both the money and time I spent doing it...

Oh yeah...it's WAY cheaper to trade it for the 4x4.

BRZ71 · November 17, 2005

Just off the top of my head here is what you will need, by the way it is not worth it at all

Transfer Case

Front drive shaft

front axle (I know not really an axle with the ifs)

CV shafts if axle doesnt come with them

4WD Hubs

Trans reprogram

4wd switch

and alot of other little things

and none of them will probably be under warranty if you have problems!

Trade it in, Old trucks were easy to modify to 4wd new ones are not!!!!

ZZebes · November 17, 2005

Well i checked with my dealer, and he said that they are cutting costs while building by making some 2WD out of 4WD chassis, and it would be 4500 to convert it to 4wd with the basic transfer case because it already has all of the wiring and hubs

chris_kucia · November 17, 2005

Well i checked with my dealer, and he said that they are cutting costs while building by making some 2WD out of 4WD chassis, and it would be 4500 to convert it to 4wd with the basic transfer case because it already has all of the wiring and hubs

<{POST_SNAPBACK}>

$4500 doesn't seem all that bad, if it were with new parts and all covered under warranty.