55 3100 chassis swap

[Guyz55]

I am looking to swap out the chassis on my 55 3100 2nd series TF pick up . I am looking for what would be the best chassis to swap too ( C10,Tahoe etc) ...I would want to use a late model chassis of course . I was going to buy an IFS kit and power steering for 2500$ not installed .....until my gear head nephew came up with this idea which sounds like the way to go ......If I can find the right frame for my 55 im sure it will be under a grand to buy and I can update the brakes and FE components on it as necessary ....and by upgrading the chassis , I get disc brakes in the rear ...seems like a no brainer , just a lot of work .

Any and all input is welcome ...

[joedoh]

my advice is to be careful about making decisions based solely on money/costs. a chassis swap is more than just putting a $1k frame under the truck before its done. dont misunderstand, an IFS install is also much more than a $2500 setup. but what you need to figure out is exactly what needs done, then assign costs to those actions. Its called activity based costing and its much more accurate than just listing parts, because it assigns a cost to the actual activity and catches all the incidentals. for example, a used chassis may need $300 worth of new steering parts and bushings. it will probably need another $300 in brake rotors, pads, calipers, hoses, lines and fittings. Suddenly, its not $1k vs $2500 any longer, its $1600 vs $2500, because the new setup will not need those parts replaced.

the other side is also true, your $2500 IFS may not come with motor mounts or may need new brake lines bent. and so on, till you have captured most of the costs. you will not get all of them, but you need to stop at some point because some guys never move past analysis paralysis. they spend too much time planning and no time cutting metal.


there is other stuff, like keeping track of things all blown apart, and having space to pull off a chassis swap, but as long as you really think about it first you will succeed. good luck!

[iowaboynca]

Originally Posted by joedoh

but you need to stop at some point because some guys never move past analysis paralysis. they spend too much time planning and no time cutting metal.

This is me...

and Joedoh hit the nail on the head! Good luck on your build Guyz55 and let us know how it goes.