[IMI4tth3w]

so ive been thinking about it and i would really like to make my truck 4wd. dont tell me im a dumbass or something with no other feedback. but reguardless, i dont think it would be as hard as people make it seem.

so lets get started with question number 1.

will i need a new/different transmission? mine is already slipping like crazy and im sure will go out before the end of the year. if i do need a different transmission that wont be a problem.

2. frame modification will be necessary correct? my friends dad owns a badass metal shop and my friend can fab and weld damn near anything.

3. i plan on using a manual shifting transfer case so electronics shouldnt really need to be messed with? i know there are some sensors but i shouldnt really have to worry about not having them hooked up correct?

basically i would need is the transfer case, drive shaft with u joints, then cv shafts, etc. my plan would be to purchase 99% of these parts used from junk yards and such.

it seems like it could be done pretty easily but i know there has to be a reason why everyone hasnt done this already. anyways please feel free to educate me on this as i would really like to know. i know i can always buy another 4wd tahoe but this one has been in my family since we bought it and i dont want someone else's mess cause i know where this tahoe has been and what its had done to it. thanks!

 

[el semental]

get a 4x4 tahoe instead and save yourself the trouble

 

[Guest]

If a 7 year old Tahoe is really that important to your family, sell it to a relative and buy another one. You're really better off buying another even considering possible issues with the next.

The reason it hasn't been done is because it doesn't make sense to do all that work for a stock setup. 2wd-4wd SFA would be more logical with your truck.

 

[slinden]

SAS and divorced transfer

 

[brianZ71]

http://www.gmfullsize.com/forum/showthread.php?t=120689&highlight=crossmember

sas would be cheaper. lemme see what you would need for ifs:

-4x4 frame from about the firewall-forward
-t-bar crossmember
-t-bars
-4x4 transmission (i think they're different)
-transfer case
-both driveshafts
-all 4 control arms, bushings, alignment cams
-knuckles
-balljoints
-differential
-cv shafts
-hubs
-probably new rotors and maybe calipers
-tierods
-all crossmembers
-probably would have to reprogram or just disable ABS
-new u-joints
-shocks
-possibly brakelines
-plus all hardware

....see, we're not just all blind pessimists. if you want to do ifs, the ONLY cost effective option would be to find someone who is doing a sas and buy EVERYTHING from them. then you just need the frame.

 

[IMI4tth3w]

If a 7 year old Tahoe is really that important to your family, sell it to a relative and buy another one. You're really better off buying another even considering possible issues with the next.

The reason it hasn't been done is because it doesn't make sense to do all that work for a stock setup. 2wd-4wd SFA would be more logical with your truck.

yeah but still i dont have the money or time to sell this tahoe and buy another one. i still wanna make this daily driveable and a SFA sounds like a bit much for me. plus if i did a sas i would wanna do a 14 bolt in the back and there goes 5-6k. i could probably get all the parts for the stock setup for around 1k if that. i donno ill keep thinking about it and look around.

 

[nickleahy23]

frames on the tahoes are the same 2wd and 4x4 so thats a start..

already have tbars, x members, control arms etc...need a new trans, transfer case, drive shafts, diff,hubs etc but a tahoe would be about the best start you would have from all the the trucks

 

[RandomHero]

Off the top of my head:
New hubs
New 4l60e with 4wd output shaft
New Transfer case
New front and rear driveshaft
New front axle with cvs

Not horrible but not cheap. You're probably looking at around $3000-5000 to do everything by the time you're done

 

[nickleahy23]

how bout you buy my 4x4 and lift it up, and give me yours and ill bag it..

 

[Guest]

yeah but still i dont have the money or time to sell this tahoe and buy another one. i still wanna make this daily driveable and a SFA sounds like a bit much for me. plus if i did a sas i would wanna do a 14 bolt in the back and there goes 5-6k. i could probably get all the parts for the stock setup for around 1k if that. i donno ill keep thinking about it and look around.

You don't have the money or time to sell and buy a truck, but you're going to convert a daily from 2wd to 4wd including fabrication and parts collecting? Do you see how this doesn't make a whole lotta sense?

I would just replace the trans when it fails and wait until you have the time/money to buy the stock truck you want.

 

[raz_76]

You don't have the money or time to sell and buy a truck, but you're going to convert a daily from 2wd to 4wd including fabrication and parts collecting? Do you see how this doesn't make a whole lotta sense?

I would just replace the trans when it fails and wait until you have the time/money to buy the stock truck you want.

I agree 100%.

 

[Denaliano]

Friends really raggin on you 'cause it's a 2wd, huh

don't lie

 

[sc00bz]

It's a pretty big set up. When I had my explorer and was a member of an explorer forum, there were a few guys that did it. You'd be better off just selling yours/buying a 4x4 later.

 

[1996 Yukon]

how bout you buy my 4x4 and lift it up, and give me yours and ill bag it..

:read:

 

[spitfire2332]

I vote you enjoy being able to daily a 2wd and slam that bish to the ground, fuck 4x4, shit is for the birds.

 

[HighRollerRich]

Friends really raggin on you 'cause it's a 2wd, huh

don't lie

and its been raining like hell so everyone has been hitting the mud.

i would be pissed as hell if i couldnt get in there and play around.

 

[jdaniel83]

Had a friend who tried with a 2000 1500 truck. He had done it on a 1983 G10 Van so he thought it wouldn't be that hard, but it turned out to be quite a bit harder than he thought it would be. He gave up after a few months of tinkering with it, spent the $$$ making it stock 2wd again, sold it, and got a good deal on a used 2001 Z71. Not trying to discourage you if you have your mind set, but it will probably be a little more difficult than it seems.

 

[Hit Man X]

Just buy a 4x4 of some sort.

 

[KreepyOne]

here save yourself all the work and go with this

http://sanantonio.craigslist.org/cto/1358806247.html

its cheap, looks to be in good condition and best of all its already 4wd, sfa and has third row seating (which i bet your tahoe doesnt have)

 

[LiftedVictory]

yeah, keep the 2wd for MPGs, and buy a k5 or jeep or something. Trust me.