72 Body on a 1985 4 x 4 frame? - The 1947 - Present Chevrolet & GMC Truck Message Board Network

barry1982 · 12-11-2015, 11:41 AM

Hi There, I'm thinking of transplanting a 1972 chevy truck body on a 1985 4 x 4 frame. Anyone ever attempted this? The 85 is equipped with a 6.2 diesel, and a 700 R4 . Im a fairly good welder... so relocating body mounts etc would not be a problem.

MudFlap379 · 12-11-2015, 11:53 AM

Here's my 70 on an 80 K10 frame. Body lift required to clear. I bought it this way, but I can get pix of how it was done. Doesn't look like it was too difficult

b.sharp · 12-11-2015, 02:36 PM

"body lift" required to clear what?

72MARIO · 12-11-2015, 02:49 PM

the massive arch the 1973 up frame has. IMO a better fit would be to swap the 4x4 parts onto the 4x4 frame

BCOWANWHEELS · 12-12-2015, 02:33 AM

Wheel base is about 3-4 inches longer so there will be same gap between bed and cab. I,ve got one thats been done.

barry1982 · 12-12-2015, 05:53 PM

Thanks... looks great!

cherokeejohn · 12-12-2015, 09:59 PM

I was wondering about this very same idea for the past week. I found a nice 87 K20 with a Jasper drive train, 8,000 or less miles, tires wheels brakes , the works but as with most older trucks in the Mid-Atlantic basin, the body returned to its original elements. The cab n front clip are there"whats left". Its been a dedicated plow truck for 10 years now, and parts store runner. My 72 C10 body is still solid, outer rockers and 1 cab corner but that's darn good for a 72 in my area. Are there any detailed threads on this project? anybody got a link?

MudFlap379 · 12-13-2015, 04:37 AM

I'll see if I can get some pics with measurements. It doesn't look like it was very difficult.

**special-K** · 12-13-2015, 07:54 AM

The cab needs to be lifted 1" to line up with the bed resting on the frame. The extra frame length is in front of the cab. The extra length gets cut off the front and the core support needs to move back. So, you need to deal with mounting the core support. It's pretty easy and straight forward

12-11-2015, 11:41 AM	#1
barry1982 Registered User Join Date: Oct 2015 Location: Waskatenau, Alberta Posts: 259	72 Body on a 1985 4 x 4 frame? Hi There, I'm thinking of transplanting a 1972 chevy truck body on a 1985 4 x 4 frame. Anyone ever attempted this? The 85 is equipped with a 6.2 diesel, and a 700 R4 . Im a fairly good welder... so relocating body mounts etc would not be a problem.

12-11-2015, 11:53 AM	#2
MudFlap379 Registered User Join Date: Oct 2015 Location: Wichita, KS Posts: 7	Re: 72 Body on a 1985 4 x 4 frame? Here's my 70 on an 80 K10 frame. Body lift required to clear. I bought it this way, but I can get pix of how it was done. Doesn't look like it was too difficult Attached Images

12-11-2015, 02:36 PM	#3
b.sharp Registered User Join Date: May 2006 Location: Frankfort, Kentucky Posts: 508	Re: 72 Body on a 1985 4 x 4 frame? "body lift" required to clear what?

12-11-2015, 02:49 PM	#4
72MARIO Registered User Join Date: Nov 2000 Location: Huntsville Ontario Canada Posts: 4,051	Re: 72 Body on a 1985 4 x 4 frame? the massive arch the 1973 up frame has. IMO a better fit would be to swap the 4x4 parts onto the 4x4 frame __________________ 1968 Suburban numbers matching all original truck now equipped with 6.0/4L80 on Accuair http://67-72chevytrucks.com/vboard/s...d.php?t=625017 1967 C/20 6.0/4L80 Roofing Truck 1990 V2500 Suburban "Plow Truck" 2005 TAHOE DD

12-12-2015, 02:33 AM	#5
BCOWANWHEELS Registered User Join Date: Nov 2006 Location: KINGSPORT,TN. Posts: 3,035	Re: 72 Body on a 1985 4 x 4 frame? Wheel base is about 3-4 inches longer so there will be same gap between bed and cab. I,ve got one thats been done. __________________ I BELIEVE IN JOHN 3:16

12-12-2015, 05:53 PM	#6
barry1982 Registered User Join Date: Oct 2015 Location: Waskatenau, Alberta Posts: 259	Re: 72 Body on a 1985 4 x 4 frame? Thanks... looks great!

12-12-2015, 09:59 PM	#7
cherokeejohn Registered User Join Date: Aug 2013 Location: Wasteminster, Maryland Posts: 409	Re: 72 Body on a 1985 4 x 4 frame? I was wondering about this very same idea for the past week. I found a nice 87 K20 with a Jasper drive train, 8,000 or less miles, tires wheels brakes , the works but as with most older trucks in the Mid-Atlantic basin, the body returned to its original elements. The cab n front clip are there"whats left". Its been a dedicated plow truck for 10 years now, and parts store runner. My 72 C10 body is still solid, outer rockers and 1 cab corner but that's darn good for a 72 in my area. Are there any detailed threads on this project? anybody got a link? __________________ 72 C/10, LWB, 5.7, Auto, with A/C F.B.I = Full Blood Indian Appalachia/Eastern Cherokee,"Tsalagi"

12-13-2015, 04:37 AM	#8
MudFlap379 Registered User Join Date: Oct 2015 Location: Wichita, KS Posts: 7	Re: 72 Body on a 1985 4 x 4 frame? I'll see if I can get some pics with measurements. It doesn't look like it was very difficult.

12-13-2015, 07:54 AM	#9
special-K Special Order Join Date: Nov 2004 Location: Mt Airy, MD Posts: 85,851	Re: 72 Body on a 1985 4 x 4 frame? The cab needs to be lifted 1" to line up with the bed resting on the frame. The extra frame length is in front of the cab. The extra length gets cut off the front and the core support needs to move back. So, you need to deal with mounting the core support. It's pretty easy and straight forward __________________ "BUILDING A BETTER WAY TO SERVE THE USA"......67/72......"The New Breed" GMC '67 C1500 Wideside Super Custom SWB: 327/M22/3.42 posi.........."The '67" (project) GMC '72 K2500 Wideside Sierra Custom Camper: 350/TH350/4.10 Power-Lok..."The '72" (rolling) Tim "Don't call me a redneck. I'm a rough cut country gentleman" R.I.P. ~ East Side Low Life ~ El Jay ~ 72BLUZ ~ Fasteddie69 ~ Ron586 ~ 67ChevyRedneck ~ Grumpy Old Man ~



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