Crew Cab and Suburban Frames - Page 2 - The 1947 - Present Chevrolet & GMC Truck Message Board Network

**1774btcrew** · 10-25-2009, 07:47 PM

I don't have a build thread on my truck as I had most of it done before I found this website. I will have to look at the measurements but I have seen them posted elsewhere on this page as well. I am sure the 3/4 suburbans have a heavier frame but a heavier frame isn't the issue on strength when you are doing a 6bt conversion as much as is the heavier spindles and suspension for the 3/4 ton and one ton trucks(we have done several both 4bt and 6bt) . I would check 4btswaps.com for info on your 6bt swap if you haven't looked there yet. They have a ton of knowledgeable people and I really wish I had checked there before I built my truck as all of the problems I had someone on there had already been through and came up with a resolution that was similar or exactly the same as mine. It can be done with trial and error but it is much nicer just to talk to someone that has already done it!

sailed2japan · 10-25-2009, 08:24 PM

yeah, I've been on 4bt swaps longer than I've been here. I do plan on using all 3/4 1 ton stuff if I do this thing. I think my stumbling block is going to be to find a starter truck I really want a 89-91 crew diesel stick to start out with. I figure if I just bide my time and find the right truck to build off of it will save me alot of time and money in the end.

**1774btcrew** · 10-25-2009, 08:32 PM

A diesel crew cab that year may be kind of hard to come by but if you wait long enough I am sure one will show up. I do like the the idea that they come with all of the extra firewall insulation. I am always watching for some for my truck. I don't see too many 89-91 crew cabs in this area especially with a diesel but I am sure there are a few around.

ghettoluxury · 10-25-2009, 09:07 PM

To make a long bed frame onto a shortbed frame measure back 6 inches from the rear cab mount support make a line. Measure 14inches from there and make a nother line, this 14 inches is what needs removed. Weld the 2 halves back together an plate the section that has just been welded. From the rear of the frame measure forward 6 inches this must also go. Now you have a turned a long bed frame into a short bed frame

sailed2japan · 10-25-2009, 10:49 PM

Yeah, they are a little hard to come by. I've seen a few around, but they seem to come up at the wrong time when money is tight. I saw on a coupl weeks ago and I was broke. I've got some spare change now and it's gone.

Thanks for the info on the frame shortening.

10-25-2009, 07:47 PM	#26
1774btcrew Senior Member Join Date: Jun 2009 Location: Phoenix AZ Posts: 4,603	Re: Crew Cab and Suburban Frames I don't have a build thread on my truck as I had most of it done before I found this website. I will have to look at the measurements but I have seen them posted elsewhere on this page as well. I am sure the 3/4 suburbans have a heavier frame but a heavier frame isn't the issue on strength when you are doing a 6bt conversion as much as is the heavier spindles and suspension for the 3/4 ton and one ton trucks(we have done several both 4bt and 6bt) . I would check 4btswaps.com for info on your 6bt swap if you haven't looked there yet. They have a ton of knowledgeable people and I really wish I had checked there before I built my truck as all of the problems I had someone on there had already been through and came up with a resolution that was similar or exactly the same as mine. It can be done with trial and error but it is much nicer just to talk to someone that has already done it!

10-25-2009, 08:24 PM	#27
sailed2japan Jonny Join Date: Apr 2008 Location: Outside the Box, Austin,TX Posts: 741	Re: Crew Cab and Suburban Frames yeah, I've been on 4bt swaps longer than I've been here. I do plan on using all 3/4 1 ton stuff if I do this thing. I think my stumbling block is going to be to find a starter truck I really want a 89-91 crew diesel stick to start out with. I figure if I just bide my time and find the right truck to build off of it will save me alot of time and money in the end. __________________ 1966 C30, Cummins, stacks, and a flat bed in progress... "Honor.....simply put, A veteran - whether active duty, retired, national guard or reserve is someone who, at one time in his life, wrote a blank check made payable to 'The United States of America', for an amount of 'up to and including his life.' That is Honor, and there are way too many people in this country who no longer understand it." -AEC Hundley USNR

10-25-2009, 08:32 PM	#28
1774btcrew Senior Member Join Date: Jun 2009 Location: Phoenix AZ Posts: 4,603	Re: Crew Cab and Suburban Frames A diesel crew cab that year may be kind of hard to come by but if you wait long enough I am sure one will show up. I do like the the idea that they come with all of the extra firewall insulation. I am always watching for some for my truck. I don't see too many 89-91 crew cabs in this area especially with a diesel but I am sure there are a few around.

10-25-2009, 09:07 PM	#29
ghettoluxury Registered User Join Date: Apr 2009 Location: Waynesfield Ohio Posts: 1,991	Re: Crew Cab and Suburban Frames To make a long bed frame onto a shortbed frame measure back 6 inches from the rear cab mount support make a line. Measure 14inches from there and make a nother line, this 14 inches is what needs removed. Weld the 2 halves back together an plate the section that has just been welded. From the rear of the frame measure forward 6 inches this must also go. Now you have a turned a long bed frame into a short bed frame __________________ 1949 Five Window, 1973 Step Side, 2000 Z71

10-25-2009, 10:49 PM	#30
sailed2japan Jonny Join Date: Apr 2008 Location: Outside the Box, Austin,TX Posts: 741	Re: Crew Cab and Suburban Frames Yeah, they are a little hard to come by. I've seen a few around, but they seem to come up at the wrong time when money is tight. I saw on a coupl weeks ago and I was broke. I've got some spare change now and it's gone. Thanks for the info on the frame shortening. __________________ 1966 C30, Cummins, stacks, and a flat bed in progress... "Honor.....simply put, A veteran - whether active duty, retired, national guard or reserve is someone who, at one time in his life, wrote a blank check made payable to 'The United States of America', for an amount of 'up to and including his life.' That is Honor, and there are way too many people in this country who no longer understand it." -AEC Hundley USNR



Register or Log In To remove these advertisements.

Register or Log In To remove these advertisements.