71 to mid 70's frame swap

[green71]

I have a 71 3/4 ton 4x4 that I want to convert from 6 cyl/3 spd to V8/ auto, along with a big lift. My question is, would I be better off swapping to a later model frame so I get the V8 mounts and longer front springs? How hard is it to put my body on a later frame? Can I use my 71 axles with a newer frame? Can I put 73-87 front springs in my truck? Thanks in advance for any help.

[71blksuper4x4]

You have got to ask yourself "What I want my truck to be?" By changing the frame from the one you have... it will lower the value of the truck, plus you will spend quite a bit of time making the cab mounts or modifying the frame mounts for the body on a newer style frame. Lift Kits can be expensive for our body style compared to the common 73+ style. You can usually find a used lift kit for our body style on the parts board... anywhere from 2"-6"..... you will most likely have to have springs rearched in order to get anything bigger for our years, thus the expensive part. I had a 72 swb on a 73 3/4 chassis that we chopped down and put the body on. I ran around a 9-10" lift with 42" Super Swampers, so yes the switch can be done. Personally, I hate seeing true 67-72 4x4's get abandoned. I would much rather see ya buy spend the extra money for the lift(if bigger than 6"). Also, you could just buy a v8 crossmember for a 4x4 and switch it out, to solve the v8 problem. Hope this helps. Trevor

[4bynut]

I agree with Trevor. The 67-72 4x4's are getting harder than ever to find. I know Mudder on here has a very nice 67 stepside on a 73 or so frame which I've got to see in person. He had started with a two wheeler though. As for the V8 engine crossmember, look on the parts board. Blazers are also the same. Or you can even use one of the newer crossmembers so you can get the better motor mounts. And I have heard of some people using the newer front springs on these style trucks. Which is usually done for more flex of the springs since their longer. I'm using the newer engine crossmember to fit a BBC and have the better engine mounts on a 70 SWB 4x4 I'm building. Hope this helps. Jason

[green71]

Well you guys hit the heart of my agonizing. See, my truck belonged to my wife's Grandpap, who has since passed on. He bought it new in 71, I got it about 4 years ago. I don't want to ruin the soul of the truck by swapping out half of it, but I do want to lift it enough to run 39's. Complicated, huh? I know I'm changing the suspension and motor/trans, but it would still be the same truck, just taller. With the frame gone, it would feel like I threw away part of the truck. I already bought a V8 crossmember, power steering box, auto steering column, and I have the TH350 trans. I need the adapter and 205 transfer case and linkage for the trans. My original plan was to get a 6" suspension lift and a 3" body lift, but I didn't know if that would be enough for 39" Iroks. I was also concerned with the ride quality.

[special-K]

You can get custom springs made to fit the 39s.* You can move the shacmle mounts back to use the longer springs.

*National Spring,others

[Blue_71]

i *think* if they still make them, there is one company that makes an 8" spring kit for a 67-72

[FUNMUDDER]

Skyjacker makes an eight inch......

[special-K]

If you`re going with the later/longer leafs,there are several off-the-shelf kits.Superlift goes to 12" and I think the other major brands make at least 8".

[CyberRanger]

FWIW, the '73 & later frames are about 2½" wider than the '67-'72 frames, so its not a perfect fit. IMNSHO I'd stay w/ the original frame.

I know of folks who have put 8" lifts along with 4" traction lifts (to prevent wheel hop) for a total of 12" on one of our trucks. With that much lift you'll likely have to drop the transfer case 3" or 4" in order to make the front driveshaft functional or do double double-cardigans on the front driveshaft as well & turning both front & rear pumpkins for better pinion angles.

You'll also have to swap out the front axle b/c the Dana 44 just isn't up to turnin' 39s.

Guys I know who are running 36" Swampers barely clear an 8" suspension & no body lift & are trimmin' the fenders quite a bit, so a 6" suspersion & 3" body probably wouldn't be enough w/o tremendous mods to the fenders to run Irok 39s.