Tell me if I am crazy, or at least any possible problems

[hdck07]

This is what I want to do:
Take a 1972 c10 that was my grandpa's and a late model chevy 4x4 and make them one.
I would like to take a wrecked newer IFS and install it on the c10 frame or cut both frames and put them together somewhere in the middle. Install the new truck rear end in the factory trailing arm suspension. My idea is that I will have the better ride of the springs and the convenience of FWD when I need it. (this will not be a rock crawler or a mudder, but a street daily driver) Use the 5.3 or if lucky a 6.0, the transmission and transfer case from the newer truck, fabricate the crossmembers needed, and have drive shafts made for the length I will need. I would like to install the portion of the firewall that has all the heater and air conditioning hoses blower motor from the new into the 72. Shave the heater controls from the 72 and install the controls from the new truck. Even modify the gauge cluster from the new and install into the 72. Mount up the computer and run all the wiring from the new. I am thinking that since I will have almost everything from the new, the computer will not need modded. I plan on using the master cylinder from the new as well so the only thing that it would not have is the air bags. Once I get that all put together (I know it is going to take a lot of: measure, measure, cut, check fit, tack weld, check fit, break weld, cut, check fit, tack, measure, check fit, weld) then it is going to be, shave the rain gutter, shave the fuel tank fill, shave the antenna, replace rockers, cab corners, door skins, and parts of the bed. Then body work and paint. This will probably take 10 years.

So what do you think, am I crazy?

[beechd18]

Short answer yes!!! Restore gramps truck and find some other truck to cut up there is a lot out there...

[leddzepp]

You're crazy.

[Mister laugh]

Sounds crazy to me, I never liked the IFS. But the beauty of this hobby is doing what makes you happy. Just becasue I think your crazy doesn't mean i wouldnt have respect for the work that would go into that kind of swap.

[basemodel67]

Yep. Keep talking like that and you will be fitted for a padded room and a huggy jacket.

[tomtuna1978]

why not just put the 72 body on the new truck frame and swap the rear suspension? but the new suspension rides just as good if not better. id just swap the old cab on the new chassis ! ... yea your crazy !!! but only because you are trying to do it the hard way !

[Dingfodgy]

Yeah, I'd say you'd be setting yourself up for alot of work, heartache, and expense. I'm not a 4x4 guy, so pardon me if I don't see the advantages of the IFS suspension in a 4 wheel drive truck. They all ride like square-wheeled buck boards if you ask me! I'd rather keep the original design of the vehicle and simply swap out the engine and trans to a late model 6.0 / 4L80E and then add a Vintage Air system for the HVAC. From where I'm sitting that is all you'd be gaining from doing what you outlined, but with much, much less work and higher chance of actually finishing it. I don't know if having the IFS is going to be light years better than a properly rebuilt straight axle setup and thus worth the effort.
Then again, what do I know- my project is in a kajillion pieces and I still am not 100% sure what I'm gonna do.