Hey guys. So here's the story: I have a 95 ram 1500 318 club cab 2wd that is currently parked. It was my first truck and I love the dang thing but my biggest issue with it was its only 2wd and I wanted a 4x4. It needs a lot of work right now. I've wanted to restore it since I parked it but I'm hesitant because I don't really have a use for a 2wd but at the same time I have a bond with it ( I'm sure lots of guys here know what I mean ) Up here in Canada a 4x4 is almost a necessity. So, I have another truck that I bought for parts a year ago. It's a 94 reg cab 318 4x4. Surprisingly, it runs mint but the body is shot. I only paid $400 for it lol.

So here's my plan: pull the body off the 94 and and give the frame and components a complete restoration overhaul, 3 inch lift, clean up the 318, put some mods onto it that I currently have (headers, CAI, etc), pull the body off the 95 2wd and clean up the floor, put it onto the 94 frame. I would still need new fenders and a new box then paint.

I'm not an expert by any means but I've swapped a few bodies on older Chevys so I'm not new at this either. I sort of know what to expect. My concerns are will the body mounts line up (reg cab long box to a quad cab short box), is it easier to convert the 2wd frame to a 4x4 instead, is there anything that I should know?

This isn't a build thread. I won't be starting this project, if I do, for a couple months. Just trying to get some ideas first and a plan of attack. Any info is appreciated.

 

Body mounts won't line up.

You *can* swap the front driveline to the 2wd frame, but, that is a serious exercise. Since you don't actually have to drive the truck, and so, can take your time doing the swap, it IS doable. But, A LOT of work.

 

Download the 95 service manaul.
It will show the location of the mounts for each variation of the model's.
Note the wheel base also.
Then, rather than trying to convert 2wd to 4wd, just move or add the body mount's as need on the 4x4 frame to except the proper cab.
Make sure if you go this route you read the cautions about welding and drilling holes in the frame.
Got to be easier then converting 2wd frame to 4wd.

Dave

 

Frame is shaped different from regular cab, to extended cab. Can't just swap cab/bed.

 

Yeah didnt notice, they look diffferent.

Dave

 

Im pretty sure youll have to fab new cab and box mounts onto the 4x4 frame, im pretty sure theyre not interchangable. I remember QCL was gonna do this, wonder what ever happened with that... Cab mounts are no longer available either from anywhere, should make sure you wont need any of those.

 

Oh the frames differ from quad cab to regular cab. Oh... That complicates things

 

You could do a SAS.
Use the transmission and transfer case from the donor.
Basically shave your frame smooth and toss in some leaf springs and a dana 44. Plus plus plus.
It can be done.