has anyone actually done a 2wd to 4wd (or awd) conversion?

so im sure the question of if it can be done gets asked a lot but im wodering if there is anyone out there that has actually converted from a 2wd to a 4wd or even awd. heres why i ask, i am going to go look at an 03 silverado 2500 HD 2wd tomorrow. its got a crap ton of miles on it but hes only asking $3500. in my area you really only need all 4 tires pulling about 5 times a year but it would be nice to have the option to do a conversion down the road. if not i still think its a good deal for the money. what do you guys think?

Remove front end and trans from your truck, replace with the 2500, get driveshafts to fit. The end.

uhh pretty sure theres a difference in 2wd frames and 4x4, idk maybe the 2500s are different.

2500s 2wds have torsion bar suspension and the frame is the same as the 4x4 (except some early 99 and 2000 2wds have coil springs). The mounting points for the front diff aren't there but they can be added easily. Same thing with the Tahoes.
Adding a manual transfer case wouldn't be too hard, but still a pain.

That being said, if you are in the market for a truck, I would just buy a 4x4 to start with. By the time you factor in buying all the parts to do the switch and the time involved, it would be cheaper to just find a 4x4.

thanks for the info. i went and looked at the truck tonight. body is straight and rust free, runs and drives great. pretty sure i'll seal the deal tomorrow. i dont need 4wd that bad anyways :thumb: