AWD street options??

[bigred2004]

Im just curious if anybody can chime in on what kind of front differentials the Denali trucks and the awd ss trucks have that keep them engauged? Ive been considering doing away with my 4wd case and swapping in a NP149 AWD case from a denali or SS but I still havent figured out how they keep the front differential engauged??

[thegreenmonster]

With the transfer case? lol

[bigred2004]

Well the AWD non selectable transfer cases the SS trucks and denalis use are full time. And I know the front differentials on these trucks 88-up are all the same exact ones. But I saw on ebay the other day a front differential out of a yukon denali that had no actuator it was just full time AWD. Im just wondering if its possible to swap the cases and just leave my front diff locked in at all times.

[bigred2004]

Been considering either the NP149 or the BW4481. Ive just heard bad things about the 4481 because it basically has an "open" set of planitaries in the case which allows the front or rear to spin faster than one another. Any ideas on which ones best?

[99-2door]

Yes, the front differential is slightly different on the AWD trucks and SUVs. It just has no provision for the actuator. It is always engaged.
I don't see any reason you couldn't use the 4x4 front diff and just lock it engaged. You can do this by putting a spacer inside the actuator and reinstalling it leaving it unplugged.

[sLOWrado01]

ive seriously thought about swapping in an awd drivetrain but i dont wanna mess with the front setup limitations of being slammed, thatd be killer though, maybe for my next project truck...an AWD rcsb with a built 6.0 and a 4 link with coilovers...ahh what a dream. Id love to see someone else do it here though!

[cancritter]

subscribed////think there are a few off us eyeballing the awd...we just need a leader :O)

[99-2door]

I saw a thread the other day on another forum of a AWD build on a NBS RCSB 4x4. I'll see if I can find that.

[sLOWrado01]

^^^ please and thank you, sir

[99-2door]

Here it is. Most of the stuff should be the same for a OBS. Be aware of the different driveshaft lengths. The AWD transfer case is shorter than the 4x4 one.

http://www.ls1truck.com/forums/front...rsion-how.html

[cancritter]

excelent find..thanx 99

[bigred2004]

Yep well after the transmission and the gears get swapped with an eaton posi in the rear im gonna finish my drop and start looking for a t-case. I have thought about taking the actuator apart or trading a buddy for their trashed one and making a spacer to keep it fully locked out. BUT if I run it AWD im gonna get a new CV front shaft build because the stock shafts are crap on these. Both Z-71s ive owned the stock slip splines get worn out and flop around. No matter what Im on the look out for a case because it will be a direct swap besides the front shaft. 31" tall tires, 4.56 gears, and a 2800 stall is going to make for a funnnn ride. Plus with an awd setup I wont have to worry about rear traction setup. Im honestly trying to making this like and old school SS because its going to handle like a beast after I get bigger sway bar, rear sway bar, all poly bushings on the front end, poly spring bushings on the rear, and some fat 305s when I get my new wheels.

[bigred2004]

Keep in mind this WILL be my daily driver and my goal next year is a new top end on the motor with some AFRs, comp roller cam, multiport conversion, and a procharger when tax season comes around. Thats why im trying to get all this setup now!! lol I got a few guys around here that can hunt local salvage yards for a case. Tryin to find one online is hard!

[99-2door]

Originally Posted by bigred2004

Keep in mind this WILL be my daily driver and my goal next year is a new top end on the motor with some AFRs, comp roller cam, multiport conversion, and a procharger when tax season comes around. Thats why im trying to get all this setup now!! lol I got a few guys around here that can hunt local salvage yards for a case. Tryin to find one online is hard!

Go to a local yard that can get on the hot line and find you one from another yard. It isn't going to be cheap, the lowest price I see right now is $500.
They show up on ebay occasionally, but they usually get snatched up by the Denali/SS guys who want one to build or for a spare.

[bigred2004]

Yeaaaaa I havent seen too cheap of prices. Thats why I gotta get the tranny done first then my gears before I get crazy and go AWD. lol

[99-2door]

I'm getting the itch to swap a to 4.10s over the stock 3.73s in mine. If I can find some from a SS cheap I will do it, but otherwise there are other things I want to do first.

[Bluchevypick]

I have converted my truck to AWD using the 4481. I put my truck in 4hi before I changed everything then I just unplugged the actuator and have had no problems yet. You do have to unplug everything else including the TCCM behind the dash. My truck pulls 1.8 60's on the motor and better on spray and its holding up fine.

[bigred2004]

Well my new motor/cam setup is going to be around the 3000+ RPM range and I plan on sticking with 30-31" tall tires.... IVe been debating on going with 4.10s or 4.56s! Im leaning more towards swapping 4.56s because of the heavy wheel and tire combo plus running AWD. I rarely go on the highway unless im goin outta town, I usually just stay around town. I think after I rebuild my front differential ill just lock mine in 4hi and unplug it. If I can do it carefully im going to remove all of the 4x4 wiring also. I want this setup to be as close to a "factory" setup as possible when im done.