69-72 vs 73-82 Blazer frame difference

[N2TRUX]

First off let me state that all this curiosity pertains to 2wd Blazer frames. I know the 69-72 2wd Blazer has trailing arm with coil spring rear suspension. I also know that the front frame rails are close enough between the 69-72 and 73-82 Blazers to allow the later crossmember to be swapped on to the earlier frame.

What I don't know is the difference between the frames from there. What I am wondering is how much trouble would it be to put a 69-72 body on a 73-82 frame? Is the wheelbase the same? Are the body mounts even close?

I assume it won't work without a lot of fabrication since I have never heard of it being done. Anyone know for sure?

[vtblazer]

Here's a link that should help out with some answers.

http://www.chuckschevytruckpages.com/framespecs.html

[chevy_fatman]

IIRC the newer frames are longer a few inches and the body mounts are different as well, what I would do is get a 4x4 and swap the 2wd front crossmember and a 4 link outback

[badpeanut]

The '69-'72 are shorter in the cowl area. The '73-'75 still have the full removable hardtop (and rocker boxes?), the '76-'77 have the partial top, and the '78-up frames are different due to the stepped down area behind the front seats.

[see ten]

I know that 73up trucks drop down in the front. This why when you see guys swapping bodies on 4x4s they look like they have a body lift under the core support but the cab is down flush (normal height) with the frame. The 4x4 crowd loves this cause it lets them run bigger tires with less lift. Here's a pic of my 66 that was on a 73+ frame. This truck had 35x15.50 tires and no lift. None of this may be true for blazers but I thought I would throw my two cents in here.

[N2TRUX]

Originally Posted by badpeanut

The '69-'72 are shorter in the cowl area. The '73-'75 still have the full removable hardtop (and rocker boxes?), the '76-'77 have the partial top, and the '78-up frames are different due to the stepped down area behind the front seats.

That pretty much tells me what I wanted to know. I had an idea it wouldn't work, but had to be sure...

[bagged74]

Originally Posted by N2TRUX

That pretty much tells me what I wanted to know. I had an idea it wouldn't work, but had to be sure...

what are you scheming any way?

[N2TRUX]

You know how thinking gets us in trouble. So I was thinking I have a really nice 82 Blazer frame and I really want a 69-72 Blazer sooooo....