Truck cab on a Suburban frame? - The 1947 - Present Chevrolet & GMC Truck Message Board Network

Number21 · 10-13-2009, 10:03 PM

Thinking about buying a '77 suburban for parts...I'll have a lot left over when I'm done. Just theoretically speaking, could you take the body off of a suburban frame, and bolt on a truck cab without the bed? Would everything line up right?

I'm starting to think it would make a good flatbed...am I nuts?

**old Rusty C10** · 10-13-2009, 10:54 PM

the chassis on a burb is wider so it wont work.. trust me i bpouht a burb trailer hitch and it wouldnt work it was too wide

Number21 · 10-13-2009, 11:53 PM

Hmm...aren't the front clips basically the same as the ones for the trucks? I wonder if maybe the 'burb frame is wider at the back but not the front?

Hmmmmmmm..............

ghettoluxury · 10-13-2009, 11:54 PM

Not sure about a regular cab but a crew cab will

Number21 · 10-14-2009, 12:21 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by ghettoluxury

Not sure about a regular cab but a crew cab will

I like that! Is that yours? Do you know if there was any fab work or did it fit right on?

ghettoluxury · 10-14-2009, 12:33 AM

not mine but I built a shortbed crew for my cousin using the front of a burb frame everything to the second set of cab mounts lines up perfectly so doing this should work out fine

Number21 · 10-14-2009, 12:48 AM

Sweet!

The 'burb frame was going to get cut up and hauled off to the scrapper anyway. I can probably put together an extra flatbed truck from leftover parts that aren't worth anything.

Is the suburban wheelbase the same as a LWB truck?

68 TT · 10-14-2009, 09:01 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by old Rusty C10

the chassis on a burb is wider so it wont work.. trust me i bpouht a burb trailer hitch and it wouldnt work it was too wide

That is really odd. My trailer hitch and rear bumper came off of an 86 Suburban and bolted right up to my 67 C-10 and are now on my 78 K20. Maybe they gave you the wrong year part?

**truckfan** · 10-14-2009, 05:54 PM

frames are the same width and a burb frame is same wheelase as a longbed. just need the rear cab mounts off the old pickup frame. fronts are same

Number21 · 10-15-2009, 04:06 AM

Hmmm, so I guess now I'll have to find another parts truck to rebuild the parts suburban after I take a bunch of stuff of it?

Maybe it's time to have the doctor adjust my meds....

Prerunner1982 · 10-15-2009, 06:37 PM

Actually I believe the suburban wheelbase is slightly less than a longbed reg cab, by a couple of inches.

The info I found shows the sub to be 129.5" and I know the longbeds are 131.5"..

Wouldn't make a lot of difference but the rear tires might be visibly more to the front of the wheelwell if a longbed was mounted on a sub frame.

I believe the picture of the crewcab above may be on a reg cab lwb frame.

Similar to Cousin Willard,,

**truckfan** · 10-15-2009, 06:50 PM

you may be right. i found this on line

The fuel tank was moved to a spot outside the cab, on the right frame rail. C10/K10 pickups with an 8-ft. box had a 131-1/2-in. wheelbase, also used for many 1/2-ton chassis models and C30 models. C20/K20 trucks, except Suburbans, were on a 127-in. wheelbase.

Number21 · 10-15-2009, 08:41 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by truckfan

C10/K10 pickups with an 8-ft. box had a 131-1/2-in. wheelbase, also used for many 1/2-ton chassis models and C30 models. C20/K20 trucks, except Suburbans, were on a 127-in. wheelbase.

Huh...how did they put an 8' bed and cab on a K20 with a 4 1/2" shorter wheelbase?

I'll have to look at the buildsheet on my C30 and see how long it is...

Definately not an issue though, I'm just trying to build an old junker with a custom flatbed. Good beds are about the only thing in short supply around here.

Dooley · 10-15-2009, 11:01 PM

Yesterday, 06:50 PM #12
truckfan
Registered User

Join Date: Apr 2009
Location: Lawrence KS
Posts: 141 Re: Truck cab on a Suburban frame?

--------------------------------------------------------------------------------

you may be right. i found this on line

The fuel tank was moved to a spot outside the cab, on the right frame rail. C10/K10 pickups with an 8-ft. box had a 131-1/2-in. wheelbase, also used for many 1/2-ton chassis models and C30 models. C20/K20 trucks, except Suburbans, were on a 127-in. wheelbase.
__________________
1977 C-10 Bonanza 454. Tilt, Cruise, PW/PL A/C (all works)114K original one-owner (not me--I'm second) miles.

Square body, 2 door regular cab long bed pickups had a 131.5" wb.
Square body Suburbans had a 129.5" wb.

Prerunner1982 · 10-16-2009, 11:00 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Dooley

Square body, 2 door regular cab long bed pickups had a 131.5" wb.
Square body Suburbans had a 129.5" wb.

joe231 · 10-29-2009, 06:16 PM

so did they list the suburban wheelbase in the glove box?
I picked up a used glove box liner that had a spid label that said 129.5 wheelbase...I assumed it was a long bed truck.
What is the wheelbase of a crew cab long bed?

Prerunner1982 · 10-29-2009, 06:45 PM

Looong

164.5"

joe231 · 10-29-2009, 07:46 PM

holy schmolie.....

watahyahknow · 10-29-2009, 09:29 PM

http://chuckschevytruckpages.com/framespecs.html there you go chucks chevy pages has a listing of all the chevy truckframes used and there sizes and a ton of info on interchangeabillity

10-13-2009, 10:54 PM	#2
old Rusty C10 Robert Olson Transport Join Date: Oct 2002 Location: recent transplant to NC USA Posts: 20,310	Re: Truck cab on a Suburban frame? the chassis on a burb is wider so it wont work.. trust me i bpouht a burb trailer hitch and it wouldnt work it was too wide __________________ Bob 1951 International running on a squarebody chassis "If a man's worth is judged by the people he associates himself with, then i am the richest man in the world knowing some of the fine people of this board" http://67-72chevytrucks.com/vboard/a...t.php?f=25&a=9 (you can review the site rules here!) PM Me for your vehicle/parts hauling needs in the North East US or see my Facebook page Robert Olson Transport Live each day to the fullest.. you never know when fate is going to pull the rug out from under you... I hate cancer!!

10-13-2009, 11:53 PM	#3
Number21 Registered User Join Date: Aug 2009 Location: Oregon Posts: 611	Re: Truck cab on a Suburban frame? Hmm...aren't the front clips basically the same as the ones for the trucks? I wonder if maybe the 'burb frame is wider at the back but not the front? Hmmmmmmm..............

10-13-2009, 11:54 PM	#4
ghettoluxury Registered User Join Date: Apr 2009 Location: Waynesfield Ohio Posts: 1,991	Re: Truck cab on a Suburban frame? Not sure about a regular cab but a crew cab will __________________ 1949 Five Window, 1973 Step Side, 2000 Z71

10-14-2009, 12:33 AM	#6
ghettoluxury Registered User Join Date: Apr 2009 Location: Waynesfield Ohio Posts: 1,991	Re: Truck cab on a Suburban frame? not mine but I built a shortbed crew for my cousin using the front of a burb frame everything to the second set of cab mounts lines up perfectly so doing this should work out fine __________________ 1949 Five Window, 1973 Step Side, 2000 Z71

10-14-2009, 12:48 AM	#7
Number21 Registered User Join Date: Aug 2009 Location: Oregon Posts: 611	Re: Truck cab on a Suburban frame? Sweet! The 'burb frame was going to get cut up and hauled off to the scrapper anyway. I can probably put together an extra flatbed truck from leftover parts that aren't worth anything. Is the suburban wheelbase the same as a LWB truck?

10-13-2009, 10:03 PM	#1
Number21 Registered User Join Date: Aug 2009 Location: Oregon Posts: 611	Truck cab on a Suburban frame? Thinking about buying a '77 suburban for parts...I'll have a lot left over when I'm done. Just theoretically speaking, could you take the body off of a suburban frame, and bolt on a truck cab without the bed? Would everything line up right? I'm starting to think it would make a good flatbed...am I nuts?

10-14-2009, 05:54 PM	#9
truckfan Senior Member Join Date: Apr 2009 Location: Lawrence KS Posts: 821	Re: Truck cab on a Suburban frame? frames are the same width and a burb frame is same wheelase as a longbed. just need the rear cab mounts off the old pickup frame. fronts are same __________________ 1981 Chevy C30 440 Holmes 42K one owner miles

10-15-2009, 04:06 AM	#10
Number21 Registered User Join Date: Aug 2009 Location: Oregon Posts: 611	Re: Truck cab on a Suburban frame? Hmmm, so I guess now I'll have to find another parts truck to rebuild the parts suburban after I take a bunch of stuff of it? Maybe it's time to have the doctor adjust my meds....

10-15-2009, 06:37 PM	#11
Prerunner1982 Registered User Join Date: Oct 2002 Location: Edmond, OK Posts: 5,904	Re: Truck cab on a Suburban frame? Actually I believe the suburban wheelbase is slightly less than a longbed reg cab, by a couple of inches. The info I found shows the sub to be 129.5" and I know the longbeds are 131.5".. Wouldn't make a lot of difference but the rear tires might be visibly more to the front of the wheelwell if a longbed was mounted on a sub frame. I believe the picture of the crewcab above may be on a reg cab lwb frame. Similar to Cousin Willard,, __________________ Jon 1982 Chevy Silverado 350/th350.... RETIRED 1993 Jeep XJ 2 door(Cherokee) 4wd 4.0ltr/AX-15 (5spd)/NP231 .... Oklahoma Roll Call Last edited by Prerunner1982; 10-16-2009 at 11:01 AM.

10-15-2009, 06:50 PM	#12
truckfan Senior Member Join Date: Apr 2009 Location: Lawrence KS Posts: 821	Re: Truck cab on a Suburban frame? you may be right. i found this on line The fuel tank was moved to a spot outside the cab, on the right frame rail. C10/K10 pickups with an 8-ft. box had a 131-1/2-in. wheelbase, also used for many 1/2-ton chassis models and C30 models. C20/K20 trucks, except Suburbans, were on a 127-in. wheelbase. __________________ 1981 Chevy C30 440 Holmes 42K one owner miles

10-15-2009, 11:01 PM	#14
Dooley Registered User Join Date: Mar 2005 Location: North Coast Posts: 1,012	Re: Truck cab on a Suburban frame? Yesterday, 06:50 PM #12 truckfan Registered User Join Date: Apr 2009 Location: Lawrence KS Posts: 141 Re: Truck cab on a Suburban frame? -------------------------------------------------------------------------------- you may be right. i found this on line The fuel tank was moved to a spot outside the cab, on the right frame rail. C10/K10 pickups with an 8-ft. box had a 131-1/2-in. wheelbase, also used for many 1/2-ton chassis models and C30 models. C20/K20 trucks, except Suburbans, were on a 127-in. wheelbase. __________________ 1977 C-10 Bonanza 454. Tilt, Cruise, PW/PL A/C (all works)114K original one-owner (not me--I'm second) miles. Square body, 2 door regular cab long bed pickups had a 131.5" wb. Square body Suburbans had a 129.5" wb. Last edited by Dooley; 10-16-2009 at 11:56 AM. Reason: Others were editing their mistakes

10-29-2009, 06:16 PM	#16
joe231 Registered User Join Date: Dec 2007 Location: Palmer, Alaska Posts: 13,821	Re: Truck cab on a Suburban frame? so did they list the suburban wheelbase in the glove box? I picked up a used glove box liner that had a spid label that said 129.5 wheelbase...I assumed it was a long bed truck. What is the wheelbase of a crew cab long bed? __________________ *CHEVY ONLY*

10-29-2009, 06:45 PM	#17
Prerunner1982 Registered User Join Date: Oct 2002 Location: Edmond, OK Posts: 5,904	Re: Truck cab on a Suburban frame? Looong 164.5" __________________ Jon 1982 Chevy Silverado 350/th350.... RETIRED 1993 Jeep XJ 2 door(Cherokee) 4wd 4.0ltr/AX-15 (5spd)/NP231 .... Oklahoma Roll Call Last edited by Prerunner1982; 10-29-2009 at 06:46 PM.

10-29-2009, 07:46 PM	#18
joe231 Registered User Join Date: Dec 2007 Location: Palmer, Alaska Posts: 13,821	Re: Truck cab on a Suburban frame? holy schmolie..... __________________ *CHEVY ONLY*

10-29-2009, 09:29 PM	#19
watahyahknow Registered User Join Date: Jul 2006 Location: the netherlands europe Posts: 4,335	Re: Truck cab on a Suburban frame? http://chuckschevytruckpages.com/framespecs.html there you go chucks chevy pages has a listing of all the chevy truckframes used and there sizes and a ton of info on interchangeabillity __________________ i got a job again and having fun at it too idea's for the trucks and the order of things to do are taking shape and get closer to being realized , a few more months and i be able to start building for real i complete 2 of the trucks intoo running fashion one custom and one basicly stock the thirth will be sacrificed for parts



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