GM 4x4 5" Turn-key Hi-Lift Torsion Bar Conversion Kit
Please visit our FAQ and Build pages if you have not already. They genuinely have good information that will aid your decision making and project scope.
Description:
This is our turn-key 4x4 conversion kit for 2003-2024 G-series 2500/3500 vans. The design is an IFS (Independent Front Suspension) torsion bar setup similar to GM pickups. This setup is optimized for on and offroad travel and significantly increases ground clearance, fitting 33" tires with no trimming or 34" with nominal trimming.
We have options for all engine and transmission options years 2003-2023 and have just a few things left to confirm for the 2024 model. The spirit of this kit is similar to our standard conversion maintaining that all serviceable items are replaceable with widely available over-the-counter products.
The conversion is an intuitive process and fully supported with a 130-150 page full color manual with images, mechanical drawings and torque specs. This kit comes with essentially every required part except fluids and parts to re-gear your existing rear differential. (We sell these separately.)
Can I do this:
Generally speaking, if you have a good familiarity with automobile service, some light fabrication or welding experience and a good space to work, yes. We don't recommend tackling this conversion without a vehicle lift. Many people have done it, but the product just comes out better if you have a friendly non-back-breaking spot to work out of. "Can this be done over a long weekend with a buddy?" Yes. "Will I be happy with my life choices on Monday AM?" No. Set a little time aside, a few weekends, and don't schedule a cross country family trip to visit your in-laws around the conversion. If all that resonates with you, this is totally do-able.
Quick parts rundown:
- 5-ish inches of lift, torsion bar tension dependent, 5" lift blocks standard, 6" rear lift leaf springs available.
- Drop carriages for front suspension, OE lower control arms, custom adjustable uppers, custom knuckles, stock idler and pitman, modified tie-rod assembly, heavy duty skid plate.
- Original van brakes, rotors, pads, ABS, so traction control presents almost zero complications* (Re-gear changes in 2021-2023 exceptions, call for details)
- All wear items supported with OE or over-the-counter products, no Heim joints.
- IFS design only, no solid axle GM conversions, 8.25" & 9.25" diff options, vehicle dependent.
- No transmission or fuel tank removing required (all variations.)
- Manual shift NP261 transfer case, slip yoke output, automatic locking front hubs.
- Cutaway / 4500 series vans require additional frame-boxing where the torsion bar carriage goes, heavy duty lift blocks we build, and we don't build rear driveshafts for non-standard wheelbases, but no further differences.
If this is your first stop on our site, take a little bit to review the vans, resources, and information on our "How do I convert my van to 4x4" page. We also have answered a lot of frequently asked questions on our FAQ page. If you have further questions, we'd be happy to answer them by phone or Email. It is our goal to make the process as seamless and productive as possible and we've gone to a great deal to design a product that is field-tested and made for a pain-resistant install.
Included in kit:
- GM Van 4x4 IFS Front Differential Mounting System - Hi-lift
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GM HD Center link & Tie Rods for Hi-lift vans
- Limit Strap Kit (12 Inch)
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Hi-lift Sway Bar Link Kit (5"-6" Lift)
- GM 4x4 Van Bump Stop Kit (Torsion Bar Hi-lift)
- GM G-series 4x4 Conversion Rear Lift Kit (5" lift)
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Helper Kit
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Easy-wire GM 4x4 Hub Lock + Indicator Kit
- Transmission 4x4 Conversion Kit 4L80 / 6L90 / 8L90
- Manual Transfer Case Shifter Kit 4L80 / 6L90+8L90
- GM Van 4x4 Conversion Hi-Lift Carriages & Skid Plate System
- GM 4x4 Conversion Hi-Lift Knuckles
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GM G-series Adjustable Upper Control Arms
- GM 4x4 Conversion Over The Counter Essentials Kit
- GM Full Size 4x4 Conversion Custom Front Driveshaft
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GM Full Size 4x4 Conversion Custom Rear Driveshaft
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Front Differential (Pre-modified) Remanufactured (8.25" / 9.25")
- NP261 Rebuilt Transfer Case for 4x4 Van Conversions
- GM Rear Brake Line Extensions
- Wood Crating + Flat Rate Shipping (Requires means to unload)
- Comprehensive Color Manual (Specific to Vehicle) 125-150pg bound with torque specs and technique tips
- Additional Misc - breather hoses, any templates or version-specific helper components available, EG: 6.6 Diesel includes some fuel line equipment, 6.6 Gas includes oil cooler lines.
Sample Installation Manual:
Here's a sample of the first few pages, table of contents and content examples from one of the Hi-lift conversion manuals.
What info does Timberline need:
Before or After making your purchase, please email us (sales@timberlinesupply.com/ 720.515.5933 text ) with your vehicle information, VIN, any modifications, long/short wheelbase, front gear ratio required, any photos that are pertinent or other info. The more we have, the better we can serve you.
Fitment Designed for:
2003-2024 Chevrolet Express/GMC Savana 2500/3500, all engines + transmissions.
Tools Required:
There is a list of suggested tools in the sample manual.
Gearing Recommendations:
For 33"-34" tires (call to discuss if needed.) Most vans come with 3.42 gears, 3.73 was available in some years.
- 2.8 diesel 3.73 or 4.10
- 4.3 gas 3.73 or 4.10
- 4.8 gas 4.10
- 6.0 gas 3.73 or 4.10 gas
- 6.6 diesel 3.42 or 3.73
- 6.6 gas 3.42 or 3.73
- 6.6 gas 2024+ 3.42 or 3.73
Tips / Skill Level:
1-10 (10 being most difficult) Level 8. We like to equate the conversion to a slightly more involved job akin to a 6" 3/4 ton IFS GM lift kit with more cutting and some welding. Instead of 10 hours of work, it's more like 55, but we make it as easy as it can be.
Additional notes:
CONTACT US with questions. Please read through this site, read through the FAQs, the product listings, and familiarize yourself with the conversion, you're going to have questions, we have answers, just let us know how we can help!
Price, Shipping, Fulfillment, Taxes, Quality and Returns
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Price + Shipping: Turnkey-kit flat-rate shipping to the lower 48 is $850 currently with insurance. Residential delivery and lift gate service add $90 each so try to work out a commercial delivery address.
- We have a Canadian export license and can ship directly to customers as well as handle duties. Alaska, Hawaii, and International shipping is available on request. Typically Canadian GST is 4.5% for businesses and 10% for private individuals. We are charged a $125 brokering fee for Canadian LTL shipments. Due to vast expanse of the great north, shipping and orders must be processed manually for Canadian customers.
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Shipping time for full kits: Timberline produces parts and kits on a block schedule listed on the main home-page. Order periods are book-ended at present to ensure consistent fulfillment times. Typically full kits fulfill in 4-8 weeks depending on where in line your order is placed.
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Taxes: Colorado residents must pay sales tax of 7.5%, no sales tax is collected on out-of-state shipments currently.
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Quality and Returns: We are consistently complimented on the quality of our products and the ease of install. Components are hand-built here almost exclusively in Colorado by seasoned professionals who are fanatics about design and execution.
If you are in any way disappointed in the components we will issue a full refund less the cost of shipping when the product is returned. If you decide to return any components that didn't apply to your build or you changed your mind about, shipping and a 15% restocking fee will be deducted from the purchase refund.