Body swap - The 1947 - Present Chevrolet & GMC Truck Message Board Network

**Phuloi68** · 09-12-2020, 09:08 PM

Can any one tell me if a 1993
cab can be mounted on a 81-87 frame? Possible? Difficult?

SCOTI · 09-13-2020, 02:45 AM

Anything is possible w/the right talent & execution.

Why are you wanting to do the '93 cab/81-87 frame? What is your goal?

cfan10 · 09-13-2020, 04:22 AM

I would rather have the '93 frame under the square those frames are sturdy and less prone to the gearbox crack. Which square body's are notorious for.

**Palf70Step** · 09-13-2020, 07:37 AM

AS mentioned, it isa possible, but lots of work. Also, remember the 88-98 models have a slightly longer wheel base then the squares do. If I remember right it is 1 or 2 inches. Not sure how it would effect totally, but the steering box for the 88-98 mount tyo the inside of the fram, so I am not sure how that will be for your steering column alignment.

sweetk30 · 09-13-2020, 01:58 PM

and the frame gets wider as it goes to the back end . so think of it as a peice of pie /\ . makes it a lot harder . and the overall width to start with is massive if i recall its 10" wider under the cab area over our older trucks . lots of stuff went inside the frame rails on 88-up gmt-400 trucks .

**Phuloi68** · 09-13-2020, 09:11 PM

I was asking about the possibilities of this swap as there is a rust free 93 cab available at a good price.

**Palf70Step** · 09-13-2020, 09:18 PM

The square frame kickup (For fuel tank) will require chopping out and reworking the floor to sit on the frame, among other stuff.

**Phuloi68** · 09-13-2020, 09:53 PM

It was just a thought. Don't need the headache if it is difficult to do.

**mr48chev** · 09-13-2020, 10:27 PM

I'm thinking that the 88 and up gas tanks are at the rear between the frame rails rather than the outboard of the frame tanks on the squares. Remember all of that ruckus about the tanks of the squares splitting open if you were broadsided?

Square tread is noticeably wider than 88 and up too I believe but you can get that Goat roper deep reverse wheel look without deep reverse wheels.

It doesn't matter what frame swap you do there are no free lunches in frame swaps. You are always going to have a challenge or spend an exobitant amount of money for a kit to make it easy.

SCOTI · 09-13-2020, 10:32 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by mr48chev

I'm thinking that the 88 and up gas tanks are at the rear between the frame rails rather than the outboard of the frame tanks on the squares. Remember all of that ruckus about the tanks of the squares splitting open if you were broadsided?

Square tread is noticeably wider than 88 and up too I believe but you can get that Goat roper deep reverse wheel look without deep reverse wheels.

It doesn't matter what frame swap you do there are no free lunches in frame swaps. You are always going to have a challenge or spend an exobitant amount of money for a kit to make it easy.

88-98 have wider frames & wider track widths.

1976gmc20 · 09-14-2020, 11:11 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by SCOTI

88-98 have wider frames & wider track widths.

But the body is narrower.

I'm no expert but I have one of each sitting out here side by side. I have measured the body widths but not the track widths. The wheels are vastly different in back space, so if the axles are wider then that is wholly or partially offset by the difference in the wheels which sit more inboard on the 88-98.

SCOTI · 09-14-2020, 12:03 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by 1976gmc20

But the body is narrower.

I'm no expert but I have one of each sitting out here side by side. I have measured the body widths but not the track widths. The wheels are vastly different in back space, so if the axles are wider then that is wholly or partially offset by the difference in the wheels which sit more inboard on the 88-98.

Correct. Axles & front track width is wider by 1.5" on the 1/2 tons if I remember correctly. Back spacing on the wheels is different as a result.

**Palf70Step** · 09-14-2020, 12:16 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by mr48chev

I'm thinking that the 88 and up gas tanks are at the rear between the frame rails rather than the outboard of the frame tanks on the squares. Remember all of that ruckus about the tanks of the squares splitting open if you were broadsided?

Square tread is noticeably wider than 88 and up too I believe but you can get that Goat roper deep reverse wheel look without deep reverse wheels.

It doesn't matter what frame swap you do there are no free lunches in frame swaps. You are always going to have a challenge or spend an exobitant amount of money for a kit to make it easy.

They are still in the same side location, just inside the frame rail. That was the main reason for the change, all the lawsuits for socalled explosions of the tank on the outside of the side rail.

1976gmc20 · 09-14-2020, 03:10 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by SCOTI

Correct. Axles & front track width is wider by 1.5" on the 1/2 tons if I remember correctly. Back spacing on the wheels is different as a result.

I learned this stuff very painfully from trying to adapt GMT400 6-hole 16" wheels to a square body 4x4

09-12-2020, 09:08 PM	#1
Phuloi68 Senior Member Join Date: Dec 2003 Location: Valparaiso, In Posts: 1,114	Body swap Can any one tell me if a 1993 cab can be mounted on a 81-87 frame? Possible? Difficult? __________________ Phuloi68 Indy survivor Norwood survivor Big Sandy survivor for those who fight for it... F R E E D O M has a price the protected will never know. Last edited by Phuloi68; 09-12-2020 at 09:24 PM.

09-13-2020, 02:45 AM	#2
SCOTI Registered User Join Date: Apr 2001 Location: DALLAS,TX Posts: 22,071	Re: Body swap Anything is possible w/the right talent & execution. Why are you wanting to do the '93 cab/81-87 frame? What is your goal? __________________ 67SWB-B.B.RetroRod 64SWB-Recycle 89CCDually-Driver/Tow Truck 99CCSWB Driver All Fleetsides @rattlecankustoms in IG Building a small, high rpm engine with the perfect bore, stroke and rod ratio is very impressive. It's like a highly skilled Morrocan sword fighter with a Damascus Steel Scimitar..... *Cubic inches is like Indiana Jones with a cheap pistol.*

09-13-2020, 04:22 AM	#3
cfan10 Registered User Join Date: May 2011 Location: Texas Posts: 984	Re: Body swap I would rather have the '93 frame under the square those frames are sturdy and less prone to the gearbox crack. Which square body's are notorious for. __________________ Rest In Peace:Mikhail {Mickey Rooney} Alpha 2/5/13 Omega 7/22/14 10:28AM I love you tremendously and outragiously Superpuppi Thai Ridgeback...The most intelligent dog known to me. Don't mess with my truck, my momma or my money...not necessarily in that order. © Stand for something or fall for anything. [LIST][*]'98 Bourbon St. Brawl ©2010

09-13-2020, 07:37 AM	#4
Palf70Step State of Confusion! Join Date: Jul 2002 Location: Gulfport, MS USA Posts: 47,249	Re: Body swap AS mentioned, it isa possible, but lots of work. Also, remember the 88-98 models have a slightly longer wheel base then the squares do. If I remember right it is 1 or 2 inches. Not sure how it would effect totally, but the steering box for the 88-98 mount tyo the inside of the fram, so I am not sure how that will be for your steering column alignment. __________________ Bill 1970 Chevy Custom/10 LWB Fleetside 2010 Toyota Tacoma PreRunner SR5 Double Cab - DD Member of Louisiana Classic Truck Club (LCTC) Bill's Gallery Life isn't tied with a bow, but it's still a gift. Live simply. Love generously. Care deeply. Speak kindly. Leave the rest to God!

09-13-2020, 01:58 PM	#5
sweetk30 Registered User Join Date: May 2012 Location: horseheads,ny rust belt Posts: 2,794	Re: Body swap and the frame gets wider as it goes to the back end . so think of it as a peice of pie /\ . makes it a lot harder . and the overall width to start with is massive if i recall its 10" wider under the cab area over our older trucks . lots of stuff went inside the frame rails on 88-up gmt-400 trucks . __________________ 77-k30lb BIG truck build . 87-k30lb budget beater build . 85-k30lb the plow machine build . 85-c10sb summer fun toy . ----------------------------- HOLLEY SNIPER efi = worst case of p.i.t.a i ever had . EDELBROCK pro flo 4 = best deal going so far . love my setup works great.

09-13-2020, 09:11 PM	#6
Phuloi68 Senior Member Join Date: Dec 2003 Location: Valparaiso, In Posts: 1,114	Re: Body swap I was asking about the possibilities of this swap as there is a rust free 93 cab available at a good price. __________________ Phuloi68 Indy survivor Norwood survivor Big Sandy survivor for those who fight for it... F R E E D O M has a price the protected will never know.

09-13-2020, 09:18 PM	#7
Palf70Step State of Confusion! Join Date: Jul 2002 Location: Gulfport, MS USA Posts: 47,249	Re: Body swap The square frame kickup (For fuel tank) will require chopping out and reworking the floor to sit on the frame, among other stuff. __________________ Bill 1970 Chevy Custom/10 LWB Fleetside 2010 Toyota Tacoma PreRunner SR5 Double Cab - DD Member of Louisiana Classic Truck Club (LCTC) Bill's Gallery Life isn't tied with a bow, but it's still a gift. Live simply. Love generously. Care deeply. Speak kindly. Leave the rest to God!

09-13-2020, 09:53 PM	#8
Phuloi68 Senior Member Join Date: Dec 2003 Location: Valparaiso, In Posts: 1,114	Re: Body swap It was just a thought. Don't need the headache if it is difficult to do. __________________ Phuloi68 Indy survivor Norwood survivor Big Sandy survivor for those who fight for it... F R E E D O M has a price the protected will never know.

09-13-2020, 10:27 PM	#9
mr48chev Registered User Join Date: Jul 2007 Location: Toppenish, WA Posts: 15,718	Re: Body swap I'm thinking that the 88 and up gas tanks are at the rear between the frame rails rather than the outboard of the frame tanks on the squares. Remember all of that ruckus about the tanks of the squares splitting open if you were broadsided? Square tread is noticeably wider than 88 and up too I believe but you can get that Goat roper deep reverse wheel look without deep reverse wheels. It doesn't matter what frame swap you do there are no free lunches in frame swaps. You are always going to have a challenge or spend an exobitant amount of money for a kit to make it easy. __________________ 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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