69 shortbed on 85 longbed frame?

[hawkeye1101]

Hello everyone,
What a great message board, I've been lurking here for a few days and I have already found lots of useful info here.

I am still trying to decide what would be involved to put a 69 GMC shortbox body& bed on a 85 Chevy Longbed 1/2 ton 4x4 frame.
The 85 has the engine/trans/transfer case combo I want already.
So I have a couple questions.

1. Obviously the frame will ned to be shortened in the middle(and shorten the driveline etc.) and the very back cut off. Does anyone have the length of those cuts already figured out?

2. How many (if any) of the front body/cab mounts on the 85 frame will match the 69 body? Will the radiator support, and front cab mounts be able to stay where they are?
I think the late model cabs are longer so I imagine the rear cab mounts would have to be moved forward.

If this has all been discussed before please direct me to it....I've not had much luck finding the info I need with searches disabled.

Thanks in advance for any info.

[67cst]

I'll tell ya now, dont do it! i know from experience, i had a 67 body i wanted to put on an 85 frame, do the same thing, the 85 was lowered, had discs and all seemed like it was good, but the frame on the 85 arches up too fast behind the cab and it gives it a big rake and the body lines wont work, i got my truck to the point where it was driving and all then we went to put theb ox on and it wasnt EVEN CLOSE, we concidered chanelling the cab but instead i got a 71 frame and cut it down and then cleaned it all up and swapped the 85 clip over since it had the coils and was cleaned and painted and the 71 wasnt. so id say look for a 67-72 swb frame and do your transfer case and that cause it will save a ton of headaches down the road.....the onlyw ay you can make this work is if you do a big body lift, like 4+ inches to make up for the frame design difference

[Longhorn Man]

Isn't Mudder's truck on a 73 - 87 chassis?
Welcome to the board hawkeye1101. If there is an answer, you'll find it on here.
That or we'll argue about it and confuse you.
Just kiddin, you're in good hands.

[GMC71k20]

ya mudders is on a 73-87 frame with a 3 inch body lift. i think hes biggest problem had something to do with the steering box

[67cst]

k guys thanks for helpin me with this one, i think that 4x4's should be okay, but i have pics to proove that the 2wd drive deal is a bust :P

[krue]

I can't help you, but I will say welcome to the best place to get info on these trucks, bar none!

[Mudder]

I would go for a burb frame for a 2wheel drive conversion, Actually a burb frame would work well for a 4x4 also. I used a77 chassis for my 67 and didnt really encounter any problems. The only thing I never liked about the swap was using the body lift and what it did to the radiator support in relation to the engine. I have always had to cut the bottom of the shrouds out for the fan to clear. No problems with steering. I have also been using the booster and old drum master for my brakes for about 17 years now and have never had any problems with brakes. I have changed the booster once and had 2 masters in that time. I'm running disks on all corners now and still have the same booster and master with no problems. I have pics and some info about my swap if you like. PM me your addy if you like.

[hawkeye1101]

Thanks guys,
Since it's a 4x4 a body lift might be ok...although I can see why it would be a problem on a 2wd.

I would probably stickwith drums on the rear for now. Rear discs do sound interestig tho.

Mudder, I sent you a pm with my E-mail address.

I'm really interested to see how the body lift looks.

[JayDubBlazer]

Cool we've got another Iowa member now