K2500 as a project?

01locksmith

New Member
Joined
Mar 1, 2007
Location
Asheboro
I have a 90 Chevy K2500 w/350 8 lug that I bought cheap ($550) and replaced engine($200) plus hoses belts,ect. The truck runs great. I like the truck. It is very rough as far as the body goes. Nothing major, it's just there isn't a 4 sq. in. place without a dent, makes it perfect for mods with no cares or worries. I am planning on making a medium to semi-serious play toy out off it. My plans are 6" RCD kit, remove bed and bob as much as possible, roll cage, 35 to 38" tires depending on what I can fit(I am not afraid to cut anything). The question is how much of a disadvantage is the indepedent front suspension, if any? Who thinks I should continue on as planned or make changes to the plan. Suggestions are welcome.
 
I think that you might need to let us know what kind of playing you plan to do with this toy. If you are talking bobbing the bed, then I am going to assume that you are talking rocks...no need to bob for mud.

If that is the case, then I would suggest that you ditch the IFS. It will be more prone to break when doing serious wheeling, not to mention hinder your flex over the obstacles. Since your body is not going to be the limiting factor in what you are wanting to tackle, it would be a shame to have to bypass something because your suspension isn't able to handle it.

There are tons of parts floating around for you to do the conversion, and many how to's have been posted. This would be where I would go next in your situation. The lift will also be much cheaper since you would be dealing with leaves on all corners, instead of the IFS junk.

But then again, I drive a pavement pounder Tacoma so I might not know that much on the subject.
 
Greg, Thanks for the input. That is kind of what I was thinking. Will be used more for mud than crawling , but would like the best off both worlds.
 
When builing a purpose built rig, you will find that having the best of both worlds is both expensive and elusive. I would decide which world you prefer to live in before making major modifications.
 
:stupid:

Plus if I was building it to really play, Id lose the IFS from the start. No real advantage to it and more disadvantages than could be posted.

IMO you'd be better with a 3/4 ton (8lug)10 bolt up front than the IFS, and those axles are a dime a dozen
 
I have done a lot of research in the solid axle swap (SAS). I was going to do this to my 1990 K1500, the problem I ran into is I had a 12 bolt and a chevy Dana 44 PSD given to me and I needed a transfer case. The problem is I wanted to still be able to drive the truck on the road so I need the same transfer case that is in my truck just PSD becasue of the VSS that is plugged into the transfer case. But, if he is just making a offroad rig with no onroad duties he could just swap out the transfer case. A website to check out on the SAS is fullsizechevy.com big write-up there on how to do it.
 
If I was in your shoes I would ditch the IFS, and buy either a D44HP or D60HP 8 lug front axle out of a 77-79 Ford F250/F350. Then buy this solid axle swap kit http://www.offroaddirect.com/products.htm SAS001 unless you want to fab the stuff yourself. Buy a set of cheap 2.75" BS steel wheels, tires of your choice and go wheeling.
 
^agree

Or do what i did, found a 1980 Cherokee for $150 and currently have $40 in basically a 6" lift. Gotta love a welder and metal layin around the shop.
 
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