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73-87 Chevy _ GMC Trucks => 73-87 Chevy & GMC Trucks => Topic started by: flatford39 on February 18, 2014, 06:07:25 pm

Title: Body swap
Post by: flatford39 on February 18, 2014, 06:07:25 pm

I have a 79 2500 Scottsdale Suburban 4x4 with 83,000 miles on the running gear and a rebuilt 350 four bolt main with around 5000 miles. The body on my Suburban is rotted away. Floors, quarters, rockers etc. I have a lead on a Silverado 10 with single round head lights. Can't tell if it's a 4x4 but I doubt it. The body looks rust free.

I would like to do a body swap here. My question is what year bodies work on my frame. I am not sure of the year of donor body yet but the round single headlights might make it an 80??

I would like to hear from people that have done this and what the problems may be. I have  the space and all the tools that this may require.

I would probably have to use the title from the donor body so it matches the VIN to register it here in Illinois.

Thanks for any info on this subject.

Tom

Title: Re: Body swap
Post by: winky on February 18, 2014, 06:17:27 pm

the only problem i have ever run into with swapping older bodies to newer frames vice verse on these trucks are the body bushings. i mixed up the body bushings one time and its was a mess until i figured out what i had done. make sure you use the body bushing for the year frame you are using (74 body on 85 frame, use the 85 body bushings) also if it is two wheel drive the transmission hump may be different

Title: Re: Body swap
Post by: Captkaos on February 18, 2014, 07:45:10 pm

Your 79 should have round headlights unless it is a Silverado version, or had the option for the square headlamps.  1980 down is generally round headlights.

You said your donor was a Silverado 10, you didn't say what the body was though...  Is it a Suburban also?

Title: Re: Body swap
Post by: flatford39 on February 19, 2014, 05:18:00 pm

Yes it is another Suburban body. It is a Silverado with single round headlights. I am not sure yet if it is 2 wheel drive or 4 wheel drive. If I put this body on my 4 wheel drive 79 Scottsdale Suburban frame and this body was for a 2 wheel drive how big a problem do I have with the transmission hump. Hoping to actually see this truck this weekend and get alot of these questions answered.

Title: Re: Body swap
Post by: bake74 on February 19, 2014, 09:53:51 pm

     It depends on the transmission hump, there was low and high transmission humps.  Of course the low hump will need to be modified.

     See this article.
http://forum.73-87chevytrucks.com/smforum/index.php?topic=11838.0