Sqaure body swap onto 88+ frame?

[y5mgisi]

There any build threads showing what it takes to put a square body on a 88+ frame? Obviously all the body mounts are wrong, but i just wonder how wrong. Trying to see if an idea i have is worth continuing thinking about. Thanks!




Side note, i found this while googling!

[Ziegelsteinfaust]

I would not do it as the whole floor has to be re-done. Those frames are much wider, and have no benefits to really speak of.

If I was doing a 4x4 then I would build in a small body lift, and problem solved.

[y5mgisi]

My intention would be to build a 73-87 crew cab on a newer 4x4 frame to get the good ride and drive of the 4x4 ifs but the good looks of the square.

[y5mgisi]

Just imagine exactly this truck, as stock height as possible, but with the 88+ frame under it.



Not my truck BTW. But the "vibe" im after.

[Ziegelsteinfaust]

I measured myself for a 1500 4x4 frame under my C20 to have a AWD truck, and My guess is a 1.5-2 inch lift would be a easy fit. You maybe able to get away with a 1 inch, but you would have to mock the cab up with core supports first. The bed is easy to mod one way or another.

[D13]

There's not a lot of ride improvement in the 88 frames that are long enough for a crew. The only improovement you woulg get is a non solid front axle which does not seem to stand up to heavy use. You would be better off with mild boxing and rebuilding the existing frame, adjusting shocks / springs/ roll bars.

[NastyBuzzard]

I just purchased a 87 3+3 C20 that has had frame shortened to a short bed. Its apart at the moment and I want to put it back together as a 4x4.

However... I do have a 01 Ext Cab silverado roller frame sitting around collecting dust. After taking some measurements yesterday I saw that the Ext Cab on the 01 is actualy 3/4" longer than the 3+3 Cab. Seriously considering body swapping it onto that 01 frame.. Trying to do more research at the moment before I commit.

[D13]

01 as in the GMT800 LS powered? That's a different animal than 88-98 GMT400. That might be worth it in the front, although again I see a lot of straight axle conversions. And IIRC the frames are a little stiffer overall, with the hydroforming.
Only chassis advantage in my 99 3/4 2wd extended is improved front geometry and disc brake rear - other than that it's the same old A arm and leaf spring set up from 1987 (when staggered shocks were introduced). And given all the issues with the parking brakes on the disc rear I'm not sure they are an advantage. Someday I'll see if that set up bolts to the 1981 SF in the back yard....

[NastyBuzzard]

Originally Posted by D13

01 as in the GMT800 LS powered? That's a different animal than 88-98 GMT400. That might be worth it in the front, although again I see a lot of straight axle conversions. And IIRC the frames are a little stiffer overall, with the hydroforming.
Only chassis advantage in my 99 3/4 2wd extended is improved front geometry and disc brake rear - other than that it's the same old A arm and leaf spring set up from 1987 (when staggered shocks were introduced). And given all the issues with the parking brakes on the disc rear I'm not sure they are an advantage. Someday I'll see if that set up bolts to the 1981 SF in the back yard....

Yes sir as in GMT800 LS powered. I robbed the drivetrain for my 87 GMC V1500 longbed. I wanted to put that body on the frame but didn't want to chop it up too badly, figured I would wait until I got me a crew cab body.. Well.. Now I have a crew cab body sitting on a shortened R20 frame.

I don't have a problem with IFS, I don't plan to use it for offroading, more so towing. I also have a spare 6.0 just sitting on an engine stand.

[treborjm]

Originally Posted by y5mgisi

There any build threads showing what it takes to put a square body on a 88+ frame? Obviously all the body mounts are wrong, but i just wonder how wrong. Trying to see if an idea i have is worth continuing thinking about. Thanks!




Side note, i found this while googling!

Hey y5mgisi,

I actually have been thinking about this too... I posted over on CK5 a while back (http://coloradok5.com/forums/showthread.php?t=317511) looking for info. Have you made any progress?

[y5mgisi]

Nope. At this point its a pipe dream. Proably a good 2 or 3 years down the road. And havent seen anything exactly relating to what i want to do other than just total hack jobs.

[NastyBuzzard]

y5mgisi,

I found someone on facebook who has put an 85 shortbed 4x4 on a 99-06 4x4 frame. It turned out amazing. He has sent me a bunch of pictures and chatted a good bit. He said it wasn't difficult just time consuming. I could maybe post a few pics if you would like or message me and Ill give you his facebook info.

[y5mgisi]

I, and others, would verymuch enjoy any pics you can post!

[NastyBuzzard]

y5mgisi,

I found someone else who has done it on facebook and have somewhat of a build thread. 82 body on 02 frame

http://ls1tech.com/forums/conversion...chevy-c10.html

Here are the pictures the other guy sent me on his swap as promised.

73-87 Body on 99-06 GMT800 frame























Here are just some measurements I did. I have a 2001 ext cab Z71 donor frame and a 87 Crew Cab short bed body. After I finish my LS swap next year I will be trying to put the 87 body on the 01 frame.

[smashingchuck]

I could see the pay off if it were for a gmt800, but not the gmt400. Obviously you've got to want the IFS, but for daily driving I sure would. I'm assuming you're retaining the drivetrain as well.

[y5mgisi]

Good pics! Gives quite a bit of insite!

[y5mgisi]

It would appear he incorporated about a 3-4" body lift. I would be curious just how little of lift you could get away with!

[y5mgisi]

Just read the c10 swap and wow! Dude made it look easy!

[y5mgisi]

Still wish I knew about a gmt400 frame tho just cause they are so much cheaper and my main objective being a 3/4 ton 4x4 and keeping the ifs.

[HipToBeSquared]

These conversions are amazing, I personally would never tackle such a project. The first thing that came to mind though is the legalities, how would such a vehicle be titled? Would it be titled/registered through the cab or the frame? Just curious

[treborjm]

NastyBuzzard,

That is what I have been looking for. Nice find!

y5mgisi,

I have been going back and forth on the GMT400 vs. GMT800 option myself. Let me know if you find anything. I am still looking...

treb

[NastyBuzzard]

Originally Posted by smashingchuck

I could see the pay off if it were for a gmt800, but not the gmt400. Obviously you've got to want the IFS, but for daily driving I sure would. I'm assuming you're retaining the drivetrain as well.

I definitely will be retaining the LS drive train. I agree not as much of a benefit to swap on a GMT400 frame unless you really want the vortec platform, maybe 3/4 ton 4x4 w/ 454 vortec.

I want the IFS b/c it is so much better for actually driving around, especially if you live in such a rural place as me. The roads around here suck.

Originally Posted by y5mgisi

Good pics! Gives quite a bit of insite!

Thanks and I agree, wish I would have found this info when I was starting my 87 GMC V1500 longbed build.

Originally Posted by y5mgisi

It would appear he incorporated about a 3-4" body lift. I would be curious just how little of lift you could get away with!

That is exactly what I am wondering myself!! I really don't like body lift but it is 100% necessary on these swaps unless you plan on chopping the cab/bed to fit over it better. I mean if you look at these newer trucks you can see the frame pretty easily under them, especially if they are 4x4. Also I learned that all the HD trucks come with like 2" body lift from the factory.

Originally Posted by y5mgisi

Just read the c10 swap and wow! Dude made it look easy!

I agree!! When I asked him about it, he was like. Man there aint nothing to it! Just need a welding machine and some steel!

Originally Posted by y5mgisi

Still wish I knew about a gmt400 frame tho just cause they are so much cheaper and my main objective being a 3/4 ton 4x4 and keeping the ifs.

I agree, you got to be lucky to just run across a GMT800 frame/roller for dirt cheap. However a GMT400 could probably be found all over the place, maybe not 3/4 ton/1 ton 4x4 but still. I also think it is probably easier to ls swap into a GMT400 frame than 73-87. Not sure.

Originally Posted by HipToBeSquared

These conversions are amazing, I personally would never tackle such a project. The first thing that came to mind though is the legalities, how would such a vehicle be titled? Would it be titled/registered through the cab or the frame? Just curious

Depends on state really. (I think). Some states where they check your emissions they could get a little concerned when they see the vin on the cab doesnt match vin on the frame. But for the most part it would be titled as the vin in the cab (my case 87) b/c that is the vin everyone checks and sees. Also insurance would be cheap

Originally Posted by treborjm

NastyBuzzard,

That is what I have been looking for. Nice find!

y5mgisi,

I have been going back and forth on the GMT400 vs. GMT800 option myself. Let me know if you find anything. I am still looking...

treb

I am glad!! Took me forever to find it! When I first started my build I searched forever with no luck! The only thing I found close was the young frankenstein thread where he put a 60s model on GMT800 frame.

Eventually I am gonna put a 87 crew cab short bed onto a GMT800 frame.

[Crewcab 83]

Originally Posted by NastyBuzzard

I just purchased a 87 3+3 C20 that has had frame shortened to a short bed. Its apart at the moment and I want to put it back together as a 4x4.

However... I do have a 01 Ext Cab silverado roller frame sitting around collecting dust. After taking some measurements yesterday I saw that the Ext Cab on the 01 is actualy 3/4" longer than the 3+3 Cab. Seriously considering body swapping it onto that 01 frame.. Trying to do more research at the moment before I commit.

Nasty buzzard was curious if you still posted on this thread I have a similar build and was curious if you completed your maybe give me a heads up of what I wanna do? Ov got a 83 short bed truck and a spare crewcab, wanna make a crewcab short bed, and thought a lot about a newer frame with a 6.0 or 5.3?
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[NastyBuzzard]

I am still around for sure! I am currently building a 88 Crew Cab, I am in the process of convertering it to 4x4 and putting a 6.5 TD in it with 5 Speed trans.

I had always planned on swapping it over to the spare 01 frame I had. I still have the frame, as well as a 2wd 2006 ext cab short bed frame.

The real reason why I didn't go for that type of frame swap is mostly bc I found a donor 4x4 crew cab with dana 60 under it. It made the choice of the swap a lot easier.

I haven't done the swap but I can give you advice on my knowledge. I do plan to go through with a crew cab square body on a 99+ frame one day for sure!

[y5mgisi]

I'm honestly still considering it for my crew cab... My plans change every day!