80' C30 chassis and drivetrain swap

[OldGMJon]

I want to swap a 64' C30 cab I have onto my 80' C30 chassis. The 80' cab is toast but as you can see I have a very nice 64' cab that is a good candidate for the upgrade. I will be utilizing the chassis and complete engine, drivetrain, and suspensions from the 80' and the diamond plate bed will be a good match too...just mounting the 64' cab onto the 80' chassis. The difference in the steering boxes makes me think I should use the 80' steering column as well. Is this a bolt-on possibility or will there be some modifications involved? I will be swapping the front chassis tips so I can retain the 64' bumper but wonder what other modifications will I be experiencing by using everything 80' underneath? Thanks for any help you can give me on this build.

[flashed]

I dont have any info for you but Im in to see it happen .

[4x4toy]

I would leave the 64 complete and swap the C30 suspension/brakes, axle and engine/trans to the 64. Way easier to do then cab/chassis swap. My opinion.
Nice 64, would love to have that for myself.

[lolife99]

Originally Posted by 4x4toy

i would leave the 64 complete and swap the c30 suspension/brakes, axle and engine/trans to the 64. Way easier to do then cab/chassis swap.

x2

[OldGMJon]

Originally Posted by 4x4toy

I would leave the 64 complete and swap the C30 suspension/brakes, axle and engine/trans to the 64. Way easier to do then cab/chassis swap. My opinion.
Nice 64, would love to have that for myself.

Originally Posted by lolife99

x2

Yeah that was my initial thought too...trouble is the 64' I got off a farm and they had extended the chassis to accommodate a longer flatbed.
I would have to rework the frame, brake & fuel lines and the electrical to make that work. Plus try to make the diamond plate flatbed mount as well.
I am not doing the swap myself since my skills are somewhat elementary so am employing the American Customs and Classics guys,
who are board members, and they will charge way less to just swap the cab to the 80' chassis.
I see a lot less issues this way but I was hoping others had tried this and could clue me in
to other issues that may come into play that I am not considering.
Thanks for your responses. jon

[lolife99]

Look at the shape of the 80's frame.
There is a "kick up" under the cab that you are going to have to deal with, since your '64 cab doesn't have room for it.

[OldGMJon]

Originally Posted by lolife99

Look at the shape of the 80's frame.
There is a "kick up" under the cab that you are going to have to deal with, since your '64 cab doesn't have room for it.

Thanks, Keith...that's good to know, jon

[Titomars]

I would think the saddle tanks will be a no fly zone since the 64 cab floor will not have the room for them without hacking up the 64's floor. The steering should be do-able. the biggest thing you will have to deal with is the cab mounts.

[rs74]

Originally Posted by OldGMJon

Yeah that was my initial thought too...trouble is the 64' I got off a farm and they had extended the chassis to accommodate a longer flatbed.
I would have to rework the frame, brake & fuel lines and the electrical to make that work. Plus try to make the diamond plate flatbed mount as well.
I am not doing the swap myself since my skills are somewhat elementary so am employing the American Customs and Classics guys,
who are board members, and they will charge way less to just swap the cab to the 80' chassis.
I see a lot less issues this way but I was hoping others had tried this and could clue me in
to other issues that may come into play that I am not considering.
Thanks for your responses. jon

I think swapping over the 80's model front cradle would be the way to go and having the frame shortened isn't that big of a deal. It sounds like a lot of work but personally I think you would have more work involved in trying to adapt the old cab and front clip to the newer frame. Just my two cent. Good looking ol truck you have there.

[OldGMJon]

Originally Posted by Titomars

I would think the saddle tanks will be a no fly zone since the 64 cab floor will not have the room for them without hacking up the 64's floor. The steering should be do-able. the biggest thing you will have to deal with is the cab mounts.

Yeah, I was going to pull the saddle tanks, can't see them fitting.

Originally Posted by rs74

I think swapping over the 80's model front cradle would be the way to go and having the frame shortened isn't that big of a deal. It sounds like a lot of work but personally I think you would have more work involved in trying to adapt the old cab and front clip to the newer frame. Just my two cent. Good looking ol truck you have there.

I am getting worried about the cab mounts now since they seem to be the bigest issue to overcome...I don't want the cab to squeak and wobble but in viewing the build threads from the shop I have it at, I am confident that they know their stuff. I will discuss this with them to see their solution. Thanks very much for your wisdom and responses all. jon

[greg64]

I'm with the other guys who suggested swapping the front suspension and rear over. That's what I did on my 64 Suburban to get disc brakes all the way around. It was an easy swap.

Making the custom cab mounts, and dealing with other "fittment" issues would be more trouble then shortening the 64's frame, at least in my experience.

[J Knight]

Originally Posted by greg64

I'm with the other guys who suggested swapping the front suspension and rear over. That's what I did on my 64 Suburban to get disc brakes all the way around. It was an easy swap.

Making the custom cab mounts, and dealing with other "fittment" issues would be more trouble then shortening the 64's frame, at least in my experience.

Agreed^^^

Besides fab work is needed in both cases.....you might as well do the easy fab work.

[OldGMJon]

Originally Posted by J Knight

Agreed^^^

Besides fab work is needed in both cases.....you might as well do the easy fab work.

When you think about it, and I have no experience in this whatsoever, but I am wondering how hard could it be to fab some cab mounts compared to;
switching both suspensions, engine, trans, driveshaft, and diamond plate bed let alone the wiring and anything else? Can someone explain the difficulty in doing so in more detail?
Thanks, jon

[greg64]

Jon,

The cab mounts are, of course, not impossible. But you wouldn't believe the interchangeability between the 64 chassis and the 80. The front cross member, which includes the control arms, and engine mounts are a bolt in affair. Actually, in truth, I had to drill 2 holes, but it was a no brainer.

Likewise, the axle spring perch mounts matched up exactly. Now, in your case this may not be true depending on which axles you have now.

With the cab swap, there's going to be steering problems, and possible firewall to engine clearance problems. This way, to me, seems like it would require a lot more engineering then the other way.

Oh, and what about the front core support and fenders? They've got to match up to the 80 chassis.

It's your decision, so don't let me talk you into something you're not comfortable with.

By the way, what do you think you're gaining with this swap? Might make it easier to put one technique vs. another into perspective.

Greg

[OldGMJon]

Originally Posted by greg64

Jon,

The cab mounts are, of course, not impossible. But you wouldn't believe the interchangeability between the 64 chassis and the 80. The front cross member, which includes the control arms, and engine mounts are a bolt in affair. Actually, in truth, I had to drill 2 holes, but it was a no brainer.

Likewise, the axle spring perch mounts matched up exactly. Now, in your case this may not be true depending on which axles you have now.

With the cab swap, there's going to be steering problems, and possible firewall to engine clearance problems. This way, to me, seems like it would require a lot more engineering then the other way.

Oh, and what about the front core support and fenders? They've got to match up to the 80 chassis.

It's your decision, so don't let me talk you into something you're not comfortable with.

By the way, what do you think you're gaining with this swap? Might make it easier to put one technique vs. another into perspective.

Greg

I was wanting to have the updated drivetrain since the 64' is very basic...you bring up more points that are definitely a consideration. Thanks for your input.
BTW I like your suburban...I have a 65' Chevy panel that is almost completed.

[greg64]

My suburban needs some body work (straightening) and new paint. But the mechanical is all done, and it drives great. It's a fun rig to drive around in the summer with.

A panel would be neat too! But I just don't have enough parking space.

[mrolds88]

Jon, A tape measure will be your best friend with this. Put them side by side and have at it. Remember the old addage, measure twice, cut once.