Body Swap??
 

I am the new owner of Randy (teeitup's) big green machine. Just wondering how hard a full on body swap will be for me. I have access to a lift, and was wondering if i can leave the front clip attached to the cab and lift them off and back on at the same time?

It seems like it will be easy, but just want advice from those who have done it in the past.

Thanks

David

I think its easier to seperate the cab from the front clip. It won't be as bulky to lift off. The cab has four bolts holding it to the frame and the front has two. you need to remove the cowl to access bolts from the fenders to the cab. its really pretty easy to do. Good luck!

put it this way, how many friends do you have? and how much are you willing to spend on beer. Use lots of penetration fluid, and strong friends and you should be able to get it done, without excess amounts of difficulty

i would like to do a frame off resto on a truck and also wonder how hard it is to do.

Don't try to lift the cab and front clip. It will fold if you do. You could brace it, but by the time you got it all rigged up, you coulda done it the other way and had a few beers in you.

I have done this 6 times, Do it seperate...

Ron

We have changed out the cab with the front clip on on three trucks and it worked very well. You will want to sling it and your fenders should be in good shape. We used two hoists.

Jim

I guess I am a little different. I have done five K20 body swaps and I have left the doghouse attached to the cab on all of them. I'm getting ready to do another one here in the next few weeks. Anything can be done if you are careful. I'll take some pics when I do the next one here.

I did mine separately (disassembled the entire front clip), and it worked out well, but wish I'd done it all in one big chunk; doghouse and cab together because once I had the cab on the frame, and started piecing together, stuff just didn't line up like it did. Took me HOURS of frustration and Budweiser :flag: to get the lines looking good again.

Have some friends hold the front clip, and do it all at once.

Ask anyone of us who have embarked on this mission....it's not as easy and quick and cheap as you EVER plan on. Something always comes up, things always head south, and it always costs more than you have to spend. Worth the time and money when it's done (I'm hoping!), but not an easy chore.

You only have to remove a few bolts to remove the front clip in one piece, saveing all the problems of linging the the stuff back up. I think it would be much easier that way

I just did another body swap Saturday. No problems and was finished in a matter of minutes leaving the front clip bolted on as usual. All I used was a chain hoist, nylon strap, 2X12 through the cab, welding vise grips, one ratchet strap and a sling. PM me if you have any questions on my redneck body swap procedure. I have more pics, but they are on my other camera.

another.

third

Dean,

Nice setup! Your pics show your setup real well.

Jim

i would like to do a frame off resto on a truck and also wonder how hard it is to do.
 

Truck are a hell of a lot easier than unibody cars and are far simplier to work on.
You can just about bet you will end up spending more than you planned. I am in the middle of a frame off restoration and should have about $10K in it when done. This includes new motor, interior, paint, suspension and on and on. The only way to do one to this extent this cheap is to do most if not all of the work yourself and hunt around for deals on parts. Classic Industries just had a 20% sale that ended last month that provided great prices on quality items. Swap meets are also a good place to hunt for treasure.