1963 body swap on 1992 Silverado?

[LuckyLightning]

I've been gone awhile and it looks like I'll be able to pick up my hobby again.

Something I've been contemplating is doing a body swap on a newer truck. Finding a '78-'88 truck is difficult, but early '90s are easier.

Has anyone done this kind of swap before? Aside from needing to move the body mounts around on the frame, does anyone know of any other potential issues with putting a 1963 body on a 1992 frame (retaining all the '92 components except dash, keeping that '63)?

[tincan1966]

Given the width of the newer style, frame, it will be very difficult to get the '63 cab to sit down over the frame.
It's ALOT more work, but it can be done, but I'd almost leave the late model floor and firewall on the chassis and graft the 63 to them. A few advantages: the mounts will be there, good clearance for engine/trans, steering and brake controls already mounted, and you'll get modern heat and air.
the 88-98 frames are so much different, that swaps with them are very difficult.

There is also the issue of titling/registering the vehicle with the chassis swap and ID numbers not matching. As always mentioned, check with yout sate DMV first to see what all is involved to meet their rules.

[69chevytrucker]

would agree cut floor and firewall

[66Submarine]

I'd just keep looking and wait for a '73-'87. Here's a '76 with a title minus engine for $500 OBO in Austin: http://austin.craigslist.org/cto/4562232535.html Another '84 for $700 OBO: http://austin.craigslist.org/cto/4559195950.html

[hotrod66]

i have a short 84 frame im in justin

[LuckyLightning]

Great feedback, thanks guys.

Frame width was not even something I considered, so I'm glad I posted this.

66Submarine, not sure how I missed those posts but thank you for providing them!

[Captainfab]

It is WAY too much work IMO. The '88 and up frames are very different than the '87 and earlier. A frame swap opens up all kinds of possible issues including the legal issue of having a body and frame with different VIN's. Just keep your original frame and upgrade the suspension, steering and brakes. A frame swap can work, but it is a lot of work building all new body mounts and with a '73-'87 frame you end up with a 3" body lift unless you spend a lot of time channeling the body over the frame.

[69chevytrucker]

Originally Posted by Captainfab

It is WAY too much work IMO. The '88 and up frames are very different than the '87 and earlier. A frame swap opens up all kinds of possible issues including the legal issue of having a body and frame with different VIN's. Just keep your original frame and upgrade the suspension, steering and brakes. A frame swap can work, but it is a lot of work building all new body mounts and with a '73-'87 frame you end up with a 3" body lift unless you spend a lot of time channeling the body over the frame.

agreed but the diff body and frame part with legal is no issue that can
be fixed most hot rods have diff frames then bodies

[Captainfab]

That is true. But most people doing this sort of swap on a truck don't obtain the proper paperwork to give to the DMV to make their truck legal to register if asked to do so. And at the same time, once you start changing the frame and or body, and go thru the legal channels, you end up with a title for a reconstructed vehicle. That vehicle typically does not have the same value as a vehicle with a regular title.

Originally Posted by 69chevytrucker

agreed but the diff body and frame part with legal is no issue that can
be fixed most hot rods have diff frames then bodies

[Oldtruckfanatic]

Id take captainfabs advice on this one. With the work involved its so much easier to just swap the suspension from a 71-87 truck and install whatever drivetrain you want to use. Ive seen this done even on the torsion frames. Doing a late model frame swap always sounds deceptively easy since your engine and running gear are already in place but even on something that fits like a 47-54 on an s10 frame its really quite a bit of work and things come up that you dont think of. At least thats how the few we have done at my shop have ended up. The title issues alone are enough deterrent for most folks.

[LuckyLightning]

Thanks again guys, this is awesome advice.

If I do a frame swap, it's really to get a 4x4 chassis (my '63 is currently 2WD). I would imagine a frame swap (with '73-'87) is easier and safer than adding front axle/suspension/drive shaft/transfer case along with power steering/power brakes/ etc (right?). I could also have A/C!

And I think I would actually like the body lift on a 4x4.

I have the original magazine for this article and when I bought it off the newsstand, I realized I wanted my truck to look like that.

[chevycowboy1985]

I would Like to see if someone has done this. Seen one on a 2003 frame looked great. And just found out my frame is bent and been cut up and no one will repair and i can not find another one. But have a 1996 truck here