Ok I know this is a old thread but I figured maybe this will help I did the 4x4 swap on my 09 Chevy Silverado and it’s pretty easy and for me it was pretty cheap and for me well worth my time considering I bought a 09 Silverado 2wd from a on line auction It had 35000 miles on it perfect black paint a lift kit on it nice 22inch wheels I paid 2800 for the truck it was a great deal only problem was when i got it off the trailer from the shipper I seen that it was a 2 wd and I live in iowa so that when I decided to take on the swap easy you need the front diff mounts that are welded to the side of the frame I cut some off a junk yard truck also 4x4 trans from about the same year also a manual 4x4 case with the manual shift mec which I got from a salvage yard drive shaft from a 09 4x4. Front diff with same ratio as your rear diff that’s important also wheel bearings and half shafts. I had my ecm reflashed with a 09 4x4 with manual t case had to do a little bit of wireing and that’s it works great and drives great if any one has any questions I will be glad to help

 

Sorry to dig up an old thread.
Is there a front cross member in the 2wd trucks that is not in the 4wd ones, like in place of the diff?
I'm looking to do the opposite swap... I know bad idea... but my truck is paid for, and all the 2wd trucks i look at are over priced rusty junk.