I love your enthusiasm bud. But turning a 13 year old 2wd truck into a 4x4 is opening up a big can of worms. I suggest selling it and looking for a truck that has four wheel dig from the factory. By all means there are folks around who can handle this kind of a project and I'm more than confident it can be done. You have to ask yourself how much money you are willing to drop on a 13 year old truck. If you sell it and save the money from a 4x4 swap you could probably afford a factory 4x4.

 

While Gripall has valid points. it all depends on what you want out of it, or want to do with it versus budget.

if you want a daily driver, cruiser, everyday average joe truck like alot of people. Then yes, do yourself a favor and sell this truck for the value of a different truck and start on the correct platform.

However, there are a few different routes that are possible..

I personally love 2WD's.. Simply for that fact that..just that, they are simple.. No transfercase, not front axle, o CV's to worry about, no front drive shaft, no shifter, or push button electrical crap to worry about..

with that said you can make your 2wd more capable by adding stronger, taller (lifting) suspension components to the front inclding steering components.. If its traction your after, then you could always add a locker to the axle to gain full 2wd (instead of the peg leg open diff tire spinner)..

also adding a larger tire will add contact patch to the road. and better capabilities.

on the other hand. a 2wd makes a decent platform for a Solid axle swap.. this is not for everyone and can be costly. but there isnt all the extra 4x4 stuff to worry about to remove.... i am inclined to tell you to do this route since the truck is so clean.

a 13 year old truck.... there are people dumping money into cars older and younger then that and to never see a profitable return on their investment; so kind of..that argument is invalid..

it all depends on what you want to do with it..and our budget

 

Do you know if it has limited slip? Not sure which year RPO codes started but, G80 or G81 are what you are looking for (limited slip or posi trac respectively). RPO codes are usually inside the glove compartment. Also, lots of sand in the bed sure helps out in the snow!

 

^^^ It's definitely not limited slip since gm never put limited slip diffs in their trucks.

It could have a locking diff which is rpo code G80.

Seeing as the condition seems to be mint, I would not sell it. I would personally either leave it 2wd and leave it how it is. Or put good, slightly larger tires on it and a locker of not already equipped and keep it nice.

Then, there the option of a solid axle swap. But then your looking at quite a bit of money and in my opinion, a less drivable truck (unless done perfect)

You could also buy a cheaper, older 4x4 truck to drive when the weather is bad. Gmt400 trucks are usually a dime a dozen.

 

Thank you for your reply!

on the other hand. a 2wd makes a decent platform for a Solid axle swap.. this is not for everyone and can be costly. but there isnt all the extra 4x4 stuff to worry about to remove.... i am inclined to tell you to do this route since the truck is so clean.

From what I understand a solid axle swap would consist of replacing the front suspension with bags or leaf springs and having a straight axle in the front to keep the "Simplicity" of the 2WD platform correct? With that would come a slight lift and 4WD capabilities? how would this in turn make the truck 4WD? I'm just having a hard time putting it together in my head. Also do you have any idea what I would be looking at as far as cost goes? I have very mechanically inclined friends that would love to do something like this in their spare time for fun so labor isn't going to be nearly as spendy.

As for the locking the rear diff, if I decide not to go for the whole shooting match what am I looking for as far as cost and time?

 

Do you know if it has limited slip?

It is limited slip. If anything I'll lock up the rear diff to avoid all the annoying tire spin I get with it being open as it is currently.

 

^^^ It's definitely not limited slip since gm never put limited slip diffs in their trucks.

It could have a locking diff which is rpo code G80.

Seeing as the condition seems to be mint, I would not sell it. I would personally either leave it 2wd and leave it how it is. Or put good, slightly larger tires on it and a locker of not already equipped and keep it nice.

Then, there the option of a solid axle swap. But then your looking at quite a bit of money and in my opinion, a less drivable truck (unless done perfect)

You could also buy a cheaper, older 4x4 truck to drive when the weather is bad. Gmt400 trucks are usually a dime a dozen.

I believe it is limited slip. It's not the posi so it has the open rear correct? and I won't be selling it. I got a decent deal on it and it's a great daily driver currently so i am keeping it. buying a cheap beater 4x4 might be the way to go. These MN winters can be harsh.

How does the SAS affect drivability, and how can it be done incorrectly?

 

http://www.sierragear.com/gm-rpo-axle-r ... n-codes-3/

This website refers to G80 as a "Axle Positraction, Limited Slip". Someone please correct me if I am wrong:

Open diff - one wheel power, usually one wheel spinning while stuck.
Limited slip - once slip occurs on one wheel, other wheel is engaged (clutch or gear based)thus two power wheels on same axle until traction(no slipping) is regained.
Locking diff - locking differential for power at both wheels of same axle electrically, pneumatically, or pull cable.

Just trying to educate myself a bit. Thanks.

 

In any gm TRUCK it's either a open diff or a locking diff (G80)

Gm CARS have a G80 as well which is a limited slip posi diff.

So if it's the stock diff it's either open or locking. Gm has never put a limited slip in a truck.

A lot of times people call the G80 in their trucks a posi or limited slip. And they are wrong. It's a true locking differential.

 

In any gm TRUCK it's either a open diff or a locking diff (G80)

Gm CARS have a G80 as well which is a limited slip posi diff.

So if it's the stock diff it's either open or locking. Gm has never put a limited slip in a truck.

A lot of times people call the G80 in their trucks a posi or limited slip. And they are wrong. It's a true locking differential.

Awesome! Thanks for clearing that up for me, trax.

 

No problem. Reading my post it sounded kind of rude. It was no intended that way hahaha.
There is always confusion on the G80 rpo code since depending on what list you look at it may say either locking or limited slip.

 

I literally came across a 2006 two wheel drive and M in the same questioning State of Mind and so I started to Google some stuff and I saw your post/ thread / whatever this is called.. some interesting statements that you have received but my main question is this.. what did you ultimately decide to do and how did it turn out for you? I may or may not go through with this 2006 two wheel drive conversion to four wheel drive.. I'm hoping that you had a good experience

 

The original poster has not been on here in about 9.5 years, so it’s safe to say you will not get a response from him. If you are planning to do such a conversion and have specific questions, start your own thread and fire away.