AWD Conversion How-To

Printable View

Show 40 post(s) from this thread on one page

03-12-2010, 01:03 AM
PitchBlackC3

Quote:

Originally Posted by 01LR4

Hey Zeake,

What did you do with the front differential on yours? I almost have everything ready for my swap: AWD T-case (Nvg149), front driveshaft from an awd rig, but what do I do with the front differential? I heard the 4x4 ones have a two piece setup on the passenger side and the AWD as a one piece. Can you help me out dude?

Just lock the front diff in. You will get the same effect as the AWD diff.
03-12-2010, 01:22 AM
01LR4

Cool so there wont be any issue with using the 4x4 front end?
03-12-2010, 01:26 AM
PitchBlackC3

Quote:

Originally Posted by 01LR4

Cool so there wont be any issue with using the 4x4 front end?

No, just make sure the right axle is locked in and can't come out. Functionally they will be the same then.
03-12-2010, 01:44 AM
01LR4

Nice, one last thing. Will both front tires be locked and rolling at always the same time?
03-12-2010, 01:46 AM
PitchBlackC3

No, the front is an open diff. Each wheel can spin independently. The axle shaft locking together doesn't lock the diff.
It is just like a rear diff with no kind of locker at all.
03-12-2010, 01:50 AM
01LR4

Sweet, thanks brah!
03-12-2010, 05:57 AM
zeake

I used a silverado ss complete front diff
03-29-2010, 08:09 PM
Nuvey

I'm too much into off roading.. I couldn't handle an AWD truck.. 4x4 is the way for me, with my driving style and conditions.. Great info though, I never would have thought about doing something like this. You make it sound simple and staight forward. Great thread!
07-11-2010, 03:04 AM
01LR4

So how do I ensure that the axle will stay locked? Do I just put it in 4WD using my regular T-Case, then remove the 4WD t-case and install the AWD T-case? Kind of confused here.
07-11-2010, 06:40 AM
zeake

Quote:

Originally Posted by 01LR4

So how do I ensure that the axle will stay locked? Do I just put it in 4WD using my regular T-Case, then remove the 4WD t-case and install the AWD T-case? Kind of confused here.

I was never sure that it would work. No one that I know of has tried it this way.
07-11-2010, 08:38 PM
ThumpinZ

sweet if i no longer used my truck for work and haulin crap around I'd jump all over this, until then if you remove a 373 front diff please send them to Sharpsburg Ga ;o) I have a habbit of b eakin them
07-15-2010, 11:55 PM
PitchBlackC3

I've done it this way lots of times. Not for an AWD swap, but for temp 4x4 fix.
You can put in a spacer that keeps the axle engaged or leave the actuator in the extended position. Pre-97 OBS with the thermal actuator you will have to put in a spacer, the thermal actuator retracts when power is removed. The 97-later will retain its position until power is applied again.
The only difference in the AWD and 4x4 axle is the 4x4 axle is 2 piece on the right side and can be engaged/disengaged by the collar sliding and connecting/disconnecting the 2 pieces. In fact I am running a OBS 4x4 front diff in my C3 with the AWD right side housing exstension and axle shaft from the C3. My front diff was groaning and I had a OBS front diff in my shop that was the correct ratio, so I am using it.
07-18-2010, 01:46 PM
Mang213

thats good info, thanks for posting up
10-27-2010, 08:55 AM
GnatGoSplat

Great thread, I'm considering to do this conversion. Do I need a new front driveshaft if I reuse the original 4x4 front diff? How can I tell if I need a new rear driveshaft? My truck currently has the thick aluminum one.
Did you use a transmission jack to lift the transfer case into position, or did you muscle it in?
10-27-2010, 10:18 AM
zeake

Quote:

Originally Posted by GnatGoSplat

Great thread, I'm considering to do this conversion. Do I need a new front driveshaft if I reuse the original 4x4 front diff? How can I tell if I need a new rear driveshaft? My truck currently has the thick aluminum one.
Did you use a transmission jack to lift the transfer case into position, or did you muscle it in?

Your front shaft should be fine either way. The rear shaft will need to be changed because the case on the nv149 is a different legth than the 4x4 case. I use a combination of floor jack and muscle and extra hands. If your truck is extended cab a ss rear drive shaft will work.
11-05-2010, 09:57 AM
GnatGoSplat

Thanks for the reply. In your pics, it looks like the SS front shaft is shorter. Would I be able to reuse the front shaft because the 4x4 front diff is shorter?
11-05-2010, 12:16 PM
zeake

Quote:

Originally Posted by GnatGoSplat

Thanks for the reply. In your pics, it looks like the SS front shaft is shorter. Would I be able to reuse the front shaft because the 4x4 front diff is shorter?

I am not sure which is shorter or longer. Using a 4l60e you will need the ss shaft. Using a 4l80 you need the factory 4x4 shaft your truck came with.
11-08-2010, 09:08 AM
GnatGoSplat

I have the stock 4L60E and manual transfer case. Does that mean I need to replace both front and rear shafts?
11-08-2010, 01:41 PM
zeake

Quote:

Originally Posted by GnatGoSplat

I have the stock 4L60E and manual transfer case. Does that mean I need to replace both front and rear shafts?

I have no info on the drive shafts for the manual transfer case. Sorry but I have no clue. I would at least count on replacing the front shaft.
11-13-2010, 07:34 PM
budhayes3

Great write-up man, I'll be following this one day. I'm 4x4 with the autotrak transfer case, and my front diff is already toast, my G-80 stopped working, and I want to go from 3.73's to 4.10's, so I'm gonna go with the complete front diff like you did, and see what I can do about getting a good used or rebuilt transfer case...gonna take a while to get the dough though...
03-09-2011, 09:12 PM
MrHorsepowerLSx

Just wanted to know who made ur hood i have the same on on my 01 silverado and it looks a lot smaller by 1.5-2" and i notice that on a lot of gmc's appear to be larger? any help would be great
03-09-2011, 10:01 PM
zeake

Hood is a Goodmark.
04-18-2011, 12:30 AM
gmcguy11111

Has anyone done the opposite version of this, AWD to 4x4?
04-18-2011, 02:07 AM
Botlfed

Just do it in reverse :lol:
04-18-2011, 08:15 AM
2boosted

yeap, but what about all the gadgets to turn it on, off, part time?? or even the manual transfer in with the stick in the floor :(

lot of work
04-18-2011, 08:17 AM
zeake

I am sure someone has. The key is if you want the autotrac transfer case or not. That would be the hard part. You would need all of the electronics and controls. A manual transfer case would be a lot easier.
04-20-2011, 02:38 PM
gmcguy11111

This is for a friends Sierra Denali. He would like to have to be switchable 2wd 4wd for fuel mileage. Forgive my fuzziness on transfer cases, dont they make electric switchable transfer cases without autotrac, like on the OBS rigs? He could care less about autotrac or not, but ripping his console out isnt exactly ideal for a floor shifter. Thanks guys.
04-20-2011, 03:08 PM
zeake

Quote:

Originally Posted by gmcguy11111

This is for a friends Sierra Denali. He would like to have to be switchable 2wd 4wd for fuel mileage. Forgive my fuzziness on transfer cases, dont they make electric switchable transfer cases without autotrac, like on the OBS rigs? He could care less about autotrac or not, but ripping his console out isnt exactly ideal for a floor shifter. Thanks guys.

He would gain a whopping 1/2 mpg. Not worth the trouble if you ask me.
04-22-2011, 10:34 PM
LOBO

whats the weight difference between a 2wd & 4wd trucks with all else being the same?
04-23-2011, 12:30 AM
pl4yboy

Quote:

Originally Posted by LOBO

whats the weight difference between a 2wd & 4wd trucks with all else being the same?

200-300 pounds I believe. Just a general estimate.
04-23-2011, 12:19 PM
LOBO

Thanks!
11-17-2011, 01:43 PM
zeake

Update to this thread. If upgrading to a 4l80e you need the transfer case adapter to go from 80e to the awd transfer case. The gm part number for this part is 15724745 . . . .Now when someone asks me what part or where to get it I can just remember to look here.
11-17-2011, 02:49 PM
CHEVROLADE

hay man since you have done it what do you think i would need for awd conversion
11-17-2011, 03:08 PM
zeake

Quote:

Originally Posted by CHEVROLADE

hay man since you have done it what do you think i would need for awd conversion

nnbs 2wd or 4wd?
11-17-2011, 03:24 PM
CHEVROLADE

yea nnbs 2wd 6L90e
11-17-2011, 03:26 PM
zeake

Quote:

Originally Posted by CHEVROLADE

yea nnbs 2wd 6L90e

I can't help you on that one. I am not even sure it is possible.
11-17-2011, 08:09 PM
Botlfed

stay 2wd zach.....believe me, its not all what its cracked up to be.
11-17-2011, 08:38 PM
PitchBlackC3

Quote:

Originally Posted by LamboDoNoMo

stay 2wd zach.....believe me, its not all what its cracked up to be.

What do you not like about it, aside from the weight gain?
11-17-2011, 08:41 PM
George C

why do you dislike the AWD, im gathering parts for the Awd-80e conversion

Quote:

Originally Posted by LamboDoNoMo

stay 2wd zach.....believe me, its not all what its cracked up to be.
11-17-2011, 08:41 PM
George C

just get the parts from a 4wd truck keep it in auto

Quote:

Originally Posted by CHEVROLADE

yea nnbs 2wd 6L90e

Show 40 post(s) from this thread on one page

All times are GMT -5. The time now is 09:41 PM.