AWD Subframe comparison to 2WD Subframe

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TheHarv
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AWD Subframe comparison to 2WD Subframe

Post by TheHarv »

Has anyone every laid the two subframes side by side and taken pictures for comparison? I would like to be able to do this but I am shopless and workspaceless at the present time. I thought this could be helpful for v-8 conversions as well as 4x4 conversions.
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LiftedAWDAstro
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Re: AWD Subframe comparison to 2WD Subframe

Post by LiftedAWDAstro »

The only part that is the same is the location of the 6 mounting bolt holes. The cross members as well as location of cross members is different. I don't recall ever seeing a pic of the two frames side by side.
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peter
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Re: AWD Subframe comparison to 2WD Subframe

Post by peter »

I think it'd be cool for a 2wd to be running an awd frame, though. It'd make a front-end drop a breeze, I'd think...

I'm sure the body would be identical, might need the steering shaft from the awd as well as a few other little things. Sure would be simpler than converting from 2wd to 4wd.
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Re: AWD Subframe comparison to 2WD Subframe

Post by skippy »

I think it'd be cool for a 2wd to be running an awd frame,
UHHH Petey , your bestes buddy lockdoc allready did the swap on the white 92 (his very first van ) if you remember correctly . its the van my brother bought from him like 4 years ago . And he was saying that the swap was a major PIA & he'd never try that one again to soon .

i'll see if i can find some pics .
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Topic author
TheHarv
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Re: AWD Subframe comparison to 2WD Subframe

Post by TheHarv »

Thanks for the input. I am planning a conversion on a Safari. Lifted, Straight axle, 2 spd transfer (man or elec). Due to the extensive fabrication I will be doing I was trying to figure out if I should start with an AWD or just stick with the 2wd 95 Safari I now have.
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Re: AWD Subframe comparison to 2WD Subframe

Post by skippy »

liftedawdastro (Dean) can answer that question better than I can , he did the lifted solid axle swap on his machine . he did his on a awd frame so ........... i'll leave the rest to him .

take it away Deano ....... :D :D :D
YOU ONLY NEED TWO TOOLS IN LIFE - WD-40 AND DUCT TAPE. IF IT DOESN'T MOVE AND SHOULD, USE THE WD-40. IF IT SHOULDN'T MOVE AND DOES, USE THE DUCT TAPE.


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Re: AWD Subframe comparison to 2WD Subframe

Post by LiftedAWDAstro »

Go with an AWD frame. There is no cross member under the engine to interfere with the solid axle center section. Plus the AWD already has the correct tranny and mount. If you are VERY good at fabricating, you can use a 2WD frame. You just have to work around the cross member being in the way. You will also need to fabricate a new tranny cross member.
Current rides:
2013 Toyota Tundra DC 4x4
2008 Dodge Nitro 4x4
2005 Nissan Sentra 1.8S Special Edition

Mileage spreadsheet

Vans owned:
1986 Safari 2.5L 4 speed manual - scrapped
1995 Astro 2WD conversion 4.11 posi, shift kit, DHC rock rails - sold to Skippy
1998 Astro 4x4 D44, D60, NP231, full hydraulic system with 9k# Milemarker winch and snow plow - sold to Lockdoc
2003 Astro AWD all stock - traded for a 3/4 ton truck
2005 AWD, 4.10's - sold to skippy
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Re: AWD Subframe comparison to 2WD Subframe

Post by peter »

skippy wrote:
I think it'd be cool for a 2wd to be running an awd frame,
UHHH Petey , your bestes buddy lockdoc allready did the swap on the white 92 (his very first van ) if you remember correctly . its the van my brother bought from him like 4 years ago . And he was saying that the swap was a major PIA & he'd never try that one again to soon .

i'll see if i can find some pics .

I remember, Skipster. But Lockjaw was doing a 2wd to 4wd swap. He wasn't simply swapping frames and keeping the truck 2wd. That's gotta be simpler :-k
"Just keep swimming..."
97' 4wd Safari
ZZ 502 Ramjet
4"L"80E/NP241C
Ford 9"


Kinky is using a feather.
Perverted is using the whole chicken.

"Laws that forbid the carrying of arms... disarm only those who are neither
inclined nor determined to commit crimes".
- Thomas Jefferson

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Re: AWD Subframe comparison to 2WD Subframe

Post by LiftedAWDAstro »

Peter, if you use an AWD frame and want to run as a 2WD, you MUST destroy 2 CV half shafts and use the splined ends to keep the AWD hub bearings from blowing apart! Other than that, using an AWD frame on a 2WD van would not pose any issues. You would be able to upgrade to the easier rotors to replace as well as the 3/4 ton truck calipers. If you used an AWD tranny and installed a 231C transfer case, you could then have low range 2WD to play around with!
Current rides:
2013 Toyota Tundra DC 4x4
2008 Dodge Nitro 4x4
2005 Nissan Sentra 1.8S Special Edition

Mileage spreadsheet

Vans owned:
1986 Safari 2.5L 4 speed manual - scrapped
1995 Astro 2WD conversion 4.11 posi, shift kit, DHC rock rails - sold to Skippy
1998 Astro 4x4 D44, D60, NP231, full hydraulic system with 9k# Milemarker winch and snow plow - sold to Lockdoc
2003 Astro AWD all stock - traded for a 3/4 ton truck
2005 AWD, 4.10's - sold to skippy

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Re: AWD Subframe comparison to 2WD Subframe

Post by SAS H3T »

Go with fabricating on the AWD subframe.
It's just easier. When you want to install the completed AWD subframe into the 2WD van, you will need two parts. A passengerside exhaust manifold from the AWD, and an AWD steering box. These items do not interchange.
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