Square body Regular cab roll back question - The 1947 - Present Chevrolet & GMC Truck Message Board Network

mopar346 · 06-17-2012, 10:14 PM

I am fixin to buy an 88 (classic body style) regular cab 3500 flat bed and am considering making it a roll back. It has 155 inch wheel base and has 11 feet of frame behind the cab. My question is for anyone who has a square body regular cab roll back or good knowledge of one.

What is your wheelbase?

How much frame do you have after the cab?

What size roll back bed do you have?

Thanks in advance, Kevin

86c20 · 06-17-2012, 10:26 PM

i have a 78-85ish one it is a real mutt has some 4wd parts and an 85 front clip with 80 cab and what i think is a 78 jarrydan deck. deck is 17.5feet not sure on the wheel base can find out if you need. my leafs are a home made 14 stack with a 4 pack over load. if i would have to guess there is about 10 feet plus of frame behind that cab(it turns like crap). let me no what you need and i will get it for you. later, mike

mopar346 · 06-17-2012, 10:37 PM

Thanks Mike, the measurements would be great, I have access to a 17 foot aluminum bed, not sure what make. A wrecker friend of mine siad that 11 ft is not enough frame behind the cab for it but it sure looks like it would be enough to me. I am picking it up for $1200 and I figure I'll get half that back in scrap when I pull the current flatbed and take it to the bone yard. The cab has zero rust, even the hood is perfect with no folds at the hinges. I only have 2 concerns with it, the first is it has a 350 but with 4.56s it should be fine in town and moderate distances. The second is it was/is no A/C from the factory, which can be solved with vintage air or get a complete factory set up from the bone yard. It has a turbo 400 which should be fine but I could convert it if need to a 7004R.

By the way, I am building this for personal use only.

Zane M · 06-17-2012, 10:51 PM

No advice/experience to offer other than do not ditch the 400 in favor of the 700R4. For a Hauler, the 400 is a better transmission.

mopar346 · 06-17-2012, 11:19 PM

I agree it's better but the OD might be nice if I decide to use it for serious distances. I think the first gear is lower in a 700 as well. I don't play with GMs that much so my memory is foggy. I have a friend who can build one that will hold up to anything, but reality is I am a cheap bastage so I wont change it if it don't give me a reason.

Zane M · 06-18-2012, 12:32 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by mopar346

I agree it's better but the OD might be nice if I decide to use it for serious distances. I think the first gear is lower in a 700 as well. I don't play with GMs that much so my memory is foggy. I have a friend who can build one that will hold up to anything, but reality is I am a cheap bastage so I wont change it if it don't give me a reason.

If you are going to use it for serious distances empty, sure, no issue. But if you are going to be hauling/towing serious distances, the 400 is still going to be better as you can't/shouldn't be using the OD in that situation anyway.

mopar346 · 06-18-2012, 08:51 AM

Good point. I current do use my OD in certain situations when towing with a trailer, but like I said unless it gives me reason I'm not doing anything with the tranny.

mopar346 · 06-21-2012, 10:20 PM

86c20, did you get a chance to get any measurements?

Anyone else have any input?

06-17-2012, 10:14 PM	#1
mopar346 Registered User Join Date: Jan 2011 Location: Quincy, FL Posts: 533	Square body Regular cab roll back question I am fixin to buy an 88 (classic body style) regular cab 3500 flat bed and am considering making it a roll back. It has 155 inch wheel base and has 11 feet of frame behind the cab. My question is for anyone who has a square body regular cab roll back or good knowledge of one. What is your wheelbase? How much frame do you have after the cab? What size roll back bed do you have? Thanks in advance, Kevin

06-17-2012, 10:26 PM	#2
86c20 Registered User Join Date: Mar 2012 Location: edgartown mass Posts: 852	Re: Square body Regular cab roll back question i have a 78-85ish one it is a real mutt has some 4wd parts and an 85 front clip with 80 cab and what i think is a 78 jarrydan deck. deck is 17.5feet not sure on the wheel base can find out if you need. my leafs are a home made 14 stack with a 4 pack over load. if i would have to guess there is about 10 feet plus of frame behind that cab(it turns like crap). let me no what you need and i will get it for you. later, mike __________________ 1986 c20 "the hillbilly" 350 sm465 3.42gears 21mpg at 70mph 1985 k30 "the ice cream truck from hell" no rust az truck 197-8??? c30 "ramp truck" 454 1978 monte carlo 350 350th with 2.73 gears. no rust. sc car

06-17-2012, 10:37 PM	#3
mopar346 Registered User Join Date: Jan 2011 Location: Quincy, FL Posts: 533	Re: Square body Regular cab roll back question Thanks Mike, the measurements would be great, I have access to a 17 foot aluminum bed, not sure what make. A wrecker friend of mine siad that 11 ft is not enough frame behind the cab for it but it sure looks like it would be enough to me. I am picking it up for $1200 and I figure I'll get half that back in scrap when I pull the current flatbed and take it to the bone yard. The cab has zero rust, even the hood is perfect with no folds at the hinges. I only have 2 concerns with it, the first is it has a 350 but with 4.56s it should be fine in town and moderate distances. The second is it was/is no A/C from the factory, which can be solved with vintage air or get a complete factory set up from the bone yard. It has a turbo 400 which should be fine but I could convert it if need to a 7004R. By the way, I am building this for personal use only.

06-17-2012, 10:51 PM	#4
Zane M Registered User Join Date: Dec 2006 Location: SLC, UT Posts: 706	Re: Square body Regular cab roll back question No advice/experience to offer other than do not ditch the 400 in favor of the 700R4. For a Hauler, the 400 is a better transmission.

06-17-2012, 11:19 PM	#5
mopar346 Registered User Join Date: Jan 2011 Location: Quincy, FL Posts: 533	Re: Square body Regular cab roll back question I agree it's better but the OD might be nice if I decide to use it for serious distances. I think the first gear is lower in a 700 as well. I don't play with GMs that much so my memory is foggy. I have a friend who can build one that will hold up to anything, but reality is I am a cheap bastage so I wont change it if it don't give me a reason.

06-18-2012, 08:51 AM	#7
mopar346 Registered User Join Date: Jan 2011 Location: Quincy, FL Posts: 533	Re: Square body Regular cab roll back question Good point. I current do use my OD in certain situations when towing with a trailer, but like I said unless it gives me reason I'm not doing anything with the tranny.

06-21-2012, 10:20 PM	#8
mopar346 Registered User Join Date: Jan 2011 Location: Quincy, FL Posts: 533	Re: Square body Regular cab roll back question 86c20, did you get a chance to get any measurements? Anyone else have any input?



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