SSR frame swap? - The 1947 - Present Chevrolet & GMC Truck Message Board Network

etrone76 · 01-06-2015, 02:51 PM

Has anyone done a Chevy SSR frame frame swap on a 47-53 pickup? I see they have the same 116" wheel base and are similar on width dimensions (outside tire to outside tire). I see them time to time for sale as a complete chasis with LS engine. Seems like an interesting build to gain modern drivetrain and power, if thats your goal.

**mr48chev** · 01-06-2015, 03:21 PM

Had to do my homework on that one. It should work pretty nice as that is the same basic chassis as a Trailblazer or Bravada.

Unless you find one with serious body damage I'd think the cost of the donor rig would be pretty high as those go for serious money around this area. Not many around and the demand for them by the country club set is high.

The cheapest used one I found on Craigslist in the Pacific Northwest is listed at 14291.00 http://seattle.craigslist.org/est/ctd/4794776385.html Not something you just run down to the used car lot and pick up and drive home and pull the body off to do a swap unless you belong to the more money than good sense club.

etrone76 · 01-06-2015, 04:06 PM

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Thanks for the feedback, I have seen a couple of the SST chasis for sale on ebay and an LS forum. Complete chasis, no body. Engine, trans, wiring, computer, suspension, brakes, fuel system, wheels/tires, etc for 7-8k. Seems like it would be a good buy since you can spend close to that for just a 6.0LS and transmission.

mgchevyparts · 01-06-2015, 06:44 PM

2005/06 are the 390hp LS2, 03/04 are just the 5.3 truck engine. In my opinion the LS2 is the way to go if you can find a low cost donor.

etrone76 · 01-06-2015, 06:51 PM

The one I found is an '06 with 6.2 and 4L65E transmission with 71k miles.

mgchevyparts · 01-06-2015, 07:07 PM

I would suspect they are hard to find without a body. 71K isn't that low but isn't bad. If this chassis fits well then it's a good deal with the horsepower, good trans, good rear end, four wheel disc brakes. I had an 05 , alum dual piston calipers 12.8" rotors all around etc.

mgchevyparts · 01-06-2015, 07:14 PM

The SSR is heavy, over 5000lbs stock. Runs 13.9 all day. I would suspect you would be around 1000lbs lighter, should make for an interesting grocery getter

**mr48chev** · 01-06-2015, 08:03 PM

I'd think that that chassis with an AD body on it finished with a tank of gasAm

The first one sold in this area was a purple one that belonged to a Native American lady who was in her 70's or 80's and had a rack on the back for her power wheelchair. That one evidently left the area after she passed away as I haven't seen it for at least five years.

01-06-2015, 02:51 PM	#1
etrone76 Registered User Join Date: May 2013 Location: Mission, Texas Posts: 34	SSR frame swap? Has anyone done a Chevy SSR frame frame swap on a 47-53 pickup? I see they have the same 116" wheel base and are similar on width dimensions (outside tire to outside tire). I see them time to time for sale as a complete chasis with LS engine. Seems like an interesting build to gain modern drivetrain and power, if thats your goal.

01-06-2015, 03:21 PM	#2
mr48chev Registered User Join Date: Jul 2007 Location: Toppenish, WA Posts: 15,719	Re: SSR frame swap? Had to do my homework on that one. It should work pretty nice as that is the same basic chassis as a Trailblazer or Bravada. Unless you find one with serious body damage I'd think the cost of the donor rig would be pretty high as those go for serious money around this area. Not many around and the demand for them by the country club set is high. The cheapest used one I found on Craigslist in the Pacific Northwest is listed at 14291.00 http://seattle.craigslist.org/est/ctd/4794776385.html Not something you just run down to the used car lot and pick up and drive home and pull the body off to do a swap unless you belong to the more money than good sense club. __________________ Founding member of the too many projects, too little time and money club. My ongoing truck projects: 48 Chev 3100 that will run a 292 Six. 71 GMC 2500 that is getting a Cad 500 transplant. 77 C 30 dualie, 454, 4 speed with a 10 foot flatbed and hoist. It does the heavy work and hauls the projects around.

01-06-2015, 04:06 PM	#3
etrone76 Registered User Join Date: May 2013 Location: Mission, Texas Posts: 34	Re: SSR frame swap? [ Thanks for the feedback, I have seen a couple of the SST chasis for sale on ebay and an LS forum. Complete chasis, no body. Engine, trans, wiring, computer, suspension, brakes, fuel system, wheels/tires, etc for 7-8k. Seems like it would be a good buy since you can spend close to that for just a 6.0LS and transmission.

01-06-2015, 06:44 PM	#4
mgchevyparts Registered User Join Date: Feb 2013 Location: Upland, Calif Posts: 698	Re: SSR frame swap? 2005/06 are the 390hp LS2, 03/04 are just the 5.3 truck engine. In my opinion the LS2 is the way to go if you can find a low cost donor. __________________ 1957 CHEVY 1/2 TON SHORT BED 1940 FORD 1/2 TON SHORT BED

01-06-2015, 06:51 PM	#5
etrone76 Registered User Join Date: May 2013 Location: Mission, Texas Posts: 34	Re: SSR frame swap? The one I found is an '06 with 6.2 and 4L65E transmission with 71k miles.

01-06-2015, 07:07 PM	#6
mgchevyparts Registered User Join Date: Feb 2013 Location: Upland, Calif Posts: 698	Re: SSR frame swap? I would suspect they are hard to find without a body. 71K isn't that low but isn't bad. If this chassis fits well then it's a good deal with the horsepower, good trans, good rear end, four wheel disc brakes. I had an 05 , alum dual piston calipers 12.8" rotors all around etc. __________________ 1957 CHEVY 1/2 TON SHORT BED 1940 FORD 1/2 TON SHORT BED

01-06-2015, 07:14 PM	#7
mgchevyparts Registered User Join Date: Feb 2013 Location: Upland, Calif Posts: 698	Re: SSR frame swap? The SSR is heavy, over 5000lbs stock. Runs 13.9 all day. I would suspect you would be around 1000lbs lighter, should make for an interesting grocery getter __________________ 1957 CHEVY 1/2 TON SHORT BED 1940 FORD 1/2 TON SHORT BED

01-06-2015, 08:03 PM	#8
mr48chev Registered User Join Date: Jul 2007 Location: Toppenish, WA Posts: 15,719	Re: SSR frame swap? I'd think that that chassis with an AD body on it finished with a tank of gasAm The first one sold in this area was a purple one that belonged to a Native American lady who was in her 70's or 80's and had a rack on the back for her power wheelchair. That one evidently left the area after she passed away as I haven't seen it for at least five years. __________________ Founding member of the too many projects, too little time and money club. My ongoing truck projects: 48 Chev 3100 that will run a 292 Six. 71 GMC 2500 that is getting a Cad 500 transplant. 77 C 30 dualie, 454, 4 speed with a 10 foot flatbed and hoist. It does the heavy work and hauls the projects around.



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