k1500 to k2500?

[saveitforsunrise]

ok so as the subject says, is it possible to convert a k1500 tahoe to a k2500? i havent found really any info on it besides the point that itd be harder than sas, so what iv been thinking, is there anyother chevy 2500 frame that is the same length i can use as a doner?

 

[Larry]

Here is a link that someone posted the other day on this same subject. Now sure what year your Tahoe is but this one is a 2000-2006 GMT800 body style with the coil sprung rear suspension. This guy did a great job!

http://z71tahoe-suburban.com/iboard/index.php?showtopic=24236&st=0

Depending what you are after, this could be the hot ticket. I personally, am not crazy about the 9.5” semi-floating axle that he used but it is better than the 8.5” axle the Tahoes and 1500 series Suburban and pickups come with. Seems like a lot of work to get 8 lugs and still only have a semi-floating rear axle.

 

[saveitforsunrise]

forgot to mention its a 97 so its an obs with the GMT400?? frame is it possible to cut down a suburban frame?

 

[Larry]

forgot to mention its a 97 so its an obs with the GMT400?? frame is it possible to cut down a suburban frame?

I wouldn’t recommend cutting down a Suburban frame. On the GMT400’s, both the Tahoe’s and Suburban’s had solid rear axles. I would recommend using a 14 bolt full floating rear axle from a pick up or Suburban then do a solid front axle swap as well. That would be costly project but you would have a much better end product then cutting down an Suburban frame and still have IFS when you are done.

 

[Bushcoat]

I think Id do the same and swap in a FF in the rear and depending on your needs a dana 44 or dana 60 ford up front.

If you are heart set on IFS, I remember years back a guy on fullsizechevy.com converting to a 8 lug on a black stepside, IIRC he had to use a 4" suspension lift to make it work.

Id say converting to solid axle would be easier than changing a frame or making 2500/3500 stuff work on a 1500.

 

[saveitforsunrise]

is it possible that the hubs off a 2500 work? i want to get the 2500 running gear atleast in the rear but dont want have to mismatch rims and i rather have 8 lug rims and gear

 

[Bushcoat]

Well the control arms, axles, diff,hubs,etc everything is different. I ran for a long time a 14bolt and had mismatched bolt patterns. it was a pain. I usually carry 2 spares but I found myself carrying 3 for awhile until I retired that truck.

Like Larry says, you can run a 9.5" 14 bolt but that wont fix all your problems. It is the easiest route and alot of people use it as an upgrade over the weak 10 bolt(mostly the weak carrier). I went through 4 of them before going to 10 bolt.

You can buy 6 lug hubs for full floater 14bolts or could have some machined up, or maybe look into welding/redrilling front hub/rotor assembly. Its been awhile since Ive seen one and dont know how much meat is on them or if the mounting surface is physically wide enough diameter. You MAY have luck finding adapters, I know some dually conversion companies sold them years back if you think you can trust adapters.

 

[Larry]

Speaking of machining 6 lug hubs for a 14 bolt full-floater, check out this thread. This guy did an outstanding job! Come to think of it, this would be the easiest route for guys with 1500 series IFS trucks to get a great rear axle without the hassles of swapping the front or having mismatched lug patterns.

http://67-72chevytrucks.com/vboard/showthread.php?t=429715

 

[saveitforsunrise]

well honestly i test drove a m1008 today, i loved it, has 23,000 on the clock, no rust, completely military, even has the awesome camo, the seat and dash isnt even cracked, no dents bed is clean, i can give him my tahoe for it, and she has 260xxx

 

[Bushcoat]

Id go for that in a heart beat. They are great old trucks and generally have low miles and they are all overly maintained. If you are willing to give up the creature comforts to have something older, more fun, cooler and IMO cheaper to run/more reliable id say its a great upgrade.

 

[saveitforsunrise]

i love my tahoe oh so much, i think ill jsut save up money till i can afford a m1008, the tahoe is in very good condition and its a 97 so not everything will explode into flames at once