I'm planning to purchase a 2008 3500 Express and it's in excellent condition with only 166K miles. An excellent fit for my needs, but I was hoping to find one with 4X4.

Assuming that I can find a front axel and a transfer case in a local U-pull junkyard, would it be a good idea? Would it be a practical project for a DIY'er with reasonably good skills? I really don't need it, but I'll be upgrading from a 2002 1500 Suburban which has 4X4 and I like not getting stuck on muddy roads etc. It has saved my butt on numerous occasions.

So what do y'all think? Am I sounding foolish?

BTW, how do I find out if it has positraction or limited slip differential. The seller hasn't a clue.

Thanks, Jim

 

Look for G80 on the RPO code sticker. If it's there you have a Gov-Lock.

So you're looking at a solid front axle swap?

 

I'm not planning to swap out of the Suburban, if that's what you mean. I didn't think it would work, but would it be possible? The Suburban is a 1500 and the Express is a 3500.

If it's feasable, It sure would save me a lot of slogging around in the U-pull yards. Not tha I haven't done my share of that.

 

https://weldtecdesigns.com/product/w...er-suspension/
Not cheap. You could fab yourself a solid axle swap out of a Ford F350 if you are good at fabrication but will likely end up with a lift too.

 

That might be out of the budget and more than my skills will allow. If it's practical, I think I could do a chevy swap if the parts will match up.

Do you think swapping the axel and transfer case out of the Suburban would work?

 

My understanding is that the entire front suspension is different for 4WD versus 2WD. Think upper/lower control arms, and all the other stuff that ties to the front wheels.

 

Thanks for the information. I determined that it does have Gov-lock and I really don't need 4X4 so I bought the truck.