body lift - The 1947 - Present Chevrolet & GMC Truck Message Board Network

71blacklighting · 05-20-2003, 11:06 PM

i am thinking of getting a 2wd long wheel base 71 truck and change to a 73 or newer frame i was told with the low hump i have to have a 2'' body lift if this is so what frame to i buy the lift for the 73 or newer or for the 71 pickup and do i use the 71 truck cab mounts or can i use the ones off the 73 or newer frame. what are the best body lift kits and what size tire could i fit under this truck with a 2'' body lift. thanks guys.

694X4 · 05-21-2003, 09:49 AM

You can find a high hump pan from the same style cab then cut out your hump and bolt the high one in its place. pm or e-mail mudder67 but i would think all body lifts are basicly the same as in that all they are is a spacer what ever size you buy (2" 3").

trukman1 · 06-01-2003, 05:19 AM

71, Hope you've done your homework or else did this swap before. There is a difference in the wheelbase lengths and the newer frame is shaped different for the side mounted tanks. The "hump" is the least of your worries. I'd wait till you have it together to see if it's even a problem. Also, you'll probably want to use the newer frame lift components. If you need any additional information let me know but personally, after doing one and seeing too many not done right (or just not coming out right) I'd never do it again. Too easy to find the right frames. My $.02 worth. Trukman1

Mudder · 06-01-2003, 06:45 AM

I'm sure the long wheel bases are different like the shorts. Installing a 2 or 3 inch body lift is not the answer either as my front clip body lift is about 4 inches, cab about 5 inches and the bed is 2 inches. so you can see it takes some serious leveling of all the body lines. I cut the lift blocks to get the body lines to match.One thing nice about the newer frames and axles is the better brakes and you can bolt a Blazer tank right into the back of the frame. Mount the cab first and make sure you can get your distributor in and out. My shortbed frame was shortened 1 1/2 inches. Getting the right year frame would be a lot simpler.

trukman1 · 06-03-2003, 08:42 AM

71,
Just for the record, my '77 K20 frame (LWB) was 4 5/8" longer than my '71 C10 (LWB) frame that I used for the body on one such swap. Also, to minimize the leveling needed it is easiest to cut the frame where it drops down for the saddle tanks, (my opinion).
67 is right, you'll just have to measure each step of the way and adjust to the new frame. It can be done but you really have to plan it out for it to look right. And plan it out ahead of time.
I recently did a '67 from 2wd to 4wd...I got an old 4x4 frame 'cause like the saying goes, "Been there, Done that!" (and won't likely do it again). Maybe I'm just getting old but it's too much work for me! Trukman1

05-20-2003, 11:06 PM	#1
71blacklighting Registered User Join Date: Nov 2002 Posts: 147	body lift i am thinking of getting a 2wd long wheel base 71 truck and change to a 73 or newer frame i was told with the low hump i have to have a 2'' body lift if this is so what frame to i buy the lift for the 73 or newer or for the 71 pickup and do i use the 71 truck cab mounts or can i use the ones off the 73 or newer frame. what are the best body lift kits and what size tire could i fit under this truck with a 2'' body lift. thanks guys.

05-21-2003, 09:49 AM	#2
694X4 Registered User Join Date: Jul 2001 Location: utica, oh, Posts: 249	You can find a high hump pan from the same style cab then cut out your hump and bolt the high one in its place. pm or e-mail mudder67 but i would think all body lifts are basicly the same as in that all they are is a spacer what ever size you buy (2" 3"). __________________ 69 3/4 ton 4x4 gmc with 6" sky jacker soft ride. 350 / th350 / 205 work in progress

06-01-2003, 06:45 AM	#4
Mudder Registered User Join Date: Feb 2001 Location: East Central, MO Posts: 11,336	I'm sure the long wheel bases are different like the shorts. Installing a 2 or 3 inch body lift is not the answer either as my front clip body lift is about 4 inches, cab about 5 inches and the bed is 2 inches. so you can see it takes some serious leveling of all the body lines. I cut the lift blocks to get the body lines to match.One thing nice about the newer frames and axles is the better brakes and you can bolt a Blazer tank right into the back of the frame. Mount the cab first and make sure you can get your distributor in and out. My shortbed frame was shortened 1 1/2 inches. Getting the right year frame would be a lot simpler. Last edited by Mudder; 06-01-2003 at 06:49 AM.

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06-01-2003, 05:19 AM	#3
trukman1 Registered User Join Date: Apr 2001 Location: Beavercreek, Ohio 45431 Posts: 737	71, Hope you've done your homework or else did this swap before. There is a difference in the wheelbase lengths and the newer frame is shaped different for the side mounted tanks. The "hump" is the least of your worries. I'd wait till you have it together to see if it's even a problem. Also, you'll probably want to use the newer frame lift components. If you need any additional information let me know but personally, after doing one and seeing too many not done right (or just not coming out right) I'd never do it again. Too easy to find the right frames. My $.02 worth. Trukman1

06-03-2003, 08:42 AM	#5
trukman1 Registered User Join Date: Apr 2001 Location: Beavercreek, Ohio 45431 Posts: 737	71, Just for the record, my '77 K20 frame (LWB) was 4 5/8" longer than my '71 C10 (LWB) frame that I used for the body on one such swap. Also, to minimize the leveling needed it is easiest to cut the frame where it drops down for the saddle tanks, (my opinion). 67 is right, you'll just have to measure each step of the way and adjust to the new frame. It can be done but you really have to plan it out for it to look right. And plan it out ahead of time. I recently did a '67 from 2wd to 4wd...I got an old 4x4 frame 'cause like the saying goes, "Been there, Done that!" (and won't likely do it again). Maybe I'm just getting old but it's too much work for me! Trukman1



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