I know you all have heard this idea a million times but im asking anyways. i have 93' gmc sierra half ton extended cab short bed. Im moveing in august to go to tech school. well in the winter months they get alot of snow and have a 4x4 law that goes into affect if the roads are bad.i love my truck and it has alot of sentimental value to me so i dont want to get rid of it and bye one thats already 4 wheel drive. I kno you can convert a the z71 trucks over to a solid front axle. my question is, is the frame (chassis) the same up front between a 2 wheel drive and four wheel drive. i have a good set of half ton axles that came out of my 80 chevy. and dont want alot of lift on this truck. i have a divorced transfer case that my cousin gave me. I also see this as a challenge for me to take on. im not really looking for practical but am looking for a safe and functional way to do this. any ideas or knowledge would be apreciated thanx.  

We've covered this topic a lot. The main thing you need to remember is there is a lot more to a solid-axle swap than just axles and a transfer case. Get a note pad out and make a check list of everything you'll need. For example.

Brake lines
Driveshafts
Steering
Bearings and ball joints
Brackets
Are you fabricating a kit or buying one

You will see more on this and modern ways to approach solid axle conversions in up coming issues. Take your time and do it the right way, which often equates into the safe way.

Ali
Feature Editor
4WOR  

ive taken all that in to consideration. but the thing of fabricating or buying. i havent found a kit to change over from 2 wheel drive to four wheel drive. so i was trying to find if the chassis was the same as what in the z71 trucks. if not im more than capable of fabricating it. im very mechanicaly inclined so i shouldnt have much trouble and it isnt my first build up of a truck. its just my first conversion from 2wd to 4wd  

What does it matter any way if the frames are the same? In that year they were all IFS anyway so anything that you do will have to be totally custom. What you pulled from the 80 won't just bolt up to your 93. I know that is not what you are asking... but I had to point it out anyway.  

just the fact that if its the same i could by a conversion kit that is designed for the z71!  

if your planning on going solid, my advice is to plan everthing, and then some! What ever you think it costs, double it. If you off road alot it's worth it. If not, just get your self a rear locker and call it good.