84 crew cab on 2006 chassis?

[TwoSmoke]

I have an 1984 crew cab that currently looks like this.....

I have a chance to to buy a 2006 crew cab long bed with a 6.0, 4x4 with 50k on the clock that was a roll over. The body on the 2006 is smoked but the frame looks to be ok. Soooo my question is.... How nasty will it be to fit my 84 body on the 2006 chassis? Keep in mind I have a full welding and machine shop at my disposal so weird or unusual parts are not that difficult to make.
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[dieseldawg142]

dont know how nasty that would be to do, but that would be the sweetest, nastiest truck around!

[andrewmp6]

I would swap the 6.0 and maybe the trans in your truck now.I'm not a fan of the ifs 4x4 they ride better on road but off road kinda suck.

[TwoSmoke]

This trucks soul purpose will be to haul snowmobiles on a sled deck like this.
http://sledecks.com/sled-decks/deluxe-deck/
I need 4 wheel drive and a reliable engine. My normal commute from my house to go ride is 100 miles round trip with zero traffic lights. I will be pulling the occasional trailer a few times a year. I ride on average 2 days a week from November to May. Anyone have mpg estimates for a 6.0 crew? I thought I had a 24 valve deal wrapped up but the seller backed out.
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[GM72K10]

I had a 6.0 2006 4x4 dually utility body, whopping 9 mpg.

[N2TRUX]

I had a 6.0 in a 1500HD C/C and got an average of 15mpg.

[Your41Plague12]

2004 2500HD Ex-cab short bed 6.0, 12.1 mpg average.

[bohmankid]

I have thought about transplanting a square body onto a newer chassis. It's a lot of work. The wheel bases will not match up so you'll have to extend or shorten the frame and driveline.

If i did it, I would want to keep the new style interior as well.
1) I would cut the 06 cab off the 06 floorboards.
2) cut the 84 cab off the 84 floorboards.
3) graft the 84 cab to the 06 floorboards.
4) customize the bed cross members to match up with cab.

It's much more work than just doing a motor swap, but I'm going to do it someday with a D-max. I've never seen anybody do it the way I want.

Here are a few members threads I have seen do this:
http://67-72chevytrucks.com/vboard/s...d.php?t=542647
http://67-72chevytrucks.com/vboard/s...d.php?t=498570

[TwoSmoke]

Thanks for the ideas. I have a lot of decisions to make about what direction I want to go with this truck. Not sure if I want to transfer it over to a 87 4x4 crew cab rolling chassis I can get for $700 or do the newer chassis thing.
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[andrewmp6]

I would look hard and find a 12 valve cummins its not the cheapest swap but will give you the best mileage out of anything.

[BigBlocksRule]

Swap it over to the older chassis and either swap to TBI with a 4L80E on a big block or do an LS engine swap with computer. Even the 1-ton IFS won't hold a candle to what a solid axle can do. You can get a complete wiring harness for TBI with 4L80E for $305, add a programmed computer for about $100, adapt the TBI and add electronics and you're good to go - reliable with better fuel economy, all wrapped up in a squarebody truck. I'll grant you a TBI ain't the best for all-out raw power, but it'll make all the grunt you need with good mileage and you can reach in through the window, turn the key and she starts.
Newer frames are a PITA since they moved the tanks inboard of the frame, the old straight ones are so much easier to work on.

[MalibuSSwagon]

He's not doing hardcore off-roading, just on road driving and hauling snowmobiles, so the IFS 4x4 would do fine. Would ride a whole lot better than a solid axle front end also.

[BigBlocksRule]

He's in Alaska...a simple hauling job can turn into a major undertaking. If I really NEEDED a good, strong front drive system that wouldn't leave me stranded, it wouldn't be IFS.
I have a couple with IFS, they're fine for slick roads but not much if you really need good traction and pulling power from the front.

[MalibuSSwagon]

I've had two 88-94 plow trucks. Only issue I've had with the front end is the driveshaft on the 94 breaking u-joint straps at the t-case. Those trucks got beat winter after winter and my 89 only got retired due to extreme frame rust. They are also both half-tons with over 200k miles. I have never changed half-shafts, diffs or even fluids. They've worked fine for me.

[BigBlocksRule]

There is no locker/posi for the 1/2 tons, it's almost impossible to break a halfshaft since the power will automatically go to the wheel with the least resistance. I've run 1-tons, one with a locker, made a world of difference.
Still wouldn't want to rely on it to get me unstuck.