73-87chevytrucks.com
73-87 Chevy _ GMC Trucks => Body, Glass & Paint => Topic started by: Basurto454 on April 23, 2008, 03:17:03 pm
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I own a 1985 Silverado C20 Crewcab 2wd 454 with a 4 speed on the floor. I want the crewcab body on a 1986 k1500 Suburban frame because I want the transmission on the Suburban - the one on the C20 is on its last leg. Will this body swap work? Will my 454 hookup nicely to the automatic transmission of the Suburban? Any advice, please go right ahead. Thanks.
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k
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The only thing I am not 100% sure of is the rear mounts on the Crew... Are you trying to make a REALLY short pickup bed truck? Because the rear of the Crew cab is going to be right in front of the rear tires..
Why not just swap transmissions? or motor? Either will swap over?
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Thanks for answering my motor/tranny question.
I want to keep the 4wd of the Burb. As I understand it, in order to transfer the 4wd parts to the C20 will require a lot of work, suspension, transfer case, axles. So I thought if I could just swap bodies I'd be a lot better off.
Thanks for your reply and to anyone else that replies.
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i know when i was reading about a regular cab swap onto a Blazer frame, they had to make a special "crossmember" for the rear cab mounts...probably need to here too...
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Does anyone know for certain if the body swap will work?
Thanks,
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Basurto, I think I'm not alone trying to figure out what you really want as an end result. Are you asking..."Will a 4 dr. truck cab & a 8' bed sit on a Suburban frame & the mounts & wheelbase all line up?" If so, the answer is NO, not even close. This is why Chris asked about the VERY short bed. To ask "for certain will the swap work?" The correct answer is... It depends on your skills & how much trouble you are willing to go through. Tell us what you want to end up with...a 4x4, 454 powered... ???, Lorne
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I really want the body of the crewcab on the frame of the burb because I want the 4wd capability of the burb. So yes, I want a 4x4 powered by the 454 motor that will come from the crewcab. I don't mind welding and cutting, but if it's going to be a lot of welding and cutting then I guess I'll forget about it. Is there another 4wd vehicle that would serve as a good donor? Thanks for your reply.
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Its not going to be a bolt and play thing, but I don't see why it isn't possible. I would do it, I like oddball stuff though. You might need to use a body lift, not sure as I have never played with burbs or crew cabs.
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Basurto, I think we are getting closer here. Do you want/need a pickup truck bed, is this the reason you want rid of the Suburban body, or is it junk? Again, tell us what you want/need to end up with...One option if the Suburban body is Ok & you need to be able to haul the family & pull a 5th wheel trailer?? Is to put the 454 in the Suburban & cut the roof off behind the rear doors & cut the quarters just below the side windows & cap it all off with pickup parts. This would not be a walk in the park for the inexperienced though, however it may be easier & more logical than some of the other ideas. Just a thought, Lorne
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I am still a little confused. You have a 4x4 Burb and you have a 4x2 Crew.
Do you NOT want the Burb? as in it is a donor? If the Crew Cab was 4x4, would you keep it like it was?
Reason I ask is you said "Is there another 4wd vehicle that would serve as a good donor?" Well, the obvious answer is a Crew Cab that is already 4x4...
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Thank you very much for the replies.
I'll try to clear the air. I really want a pickup truck. There's nothing wrong with the burb body. I simply really want the crew cab body. I already have a large SUV and I want something kind of unique.
I really want:
A Crewcab p/u truck, 4wd, powered by a 454. I don't really care how I accomplish this feat, I just hope there's a way. (sorry for the confusion)
I kind of like the idea of cutting up the burb body and then adding a bed to it. Do you think that would be the easiest way to get what I want as an end result?
Thanks again for your replies.
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http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ZRdpinR-m7Q
When i worked at the salvage yard, we would occasionally get a guy(usually it was a guy) asking for a suburban frame asking to do what you're wanting to do or similar. i always ASSumed that all 73-91 frames were exactly alike---except shorter or longer depending on model so i never paid close attention to any differences.
i could never understand the whole body swapping thing; i believe that the original body and frame should stay together.
Anyways, i think at worst you might have to add crossmembers as body support and/or places to attach the body to the frame and/or tabs on the frame to accomodate the crewcabs body-to-frame bolts. The crossmember could be bolted in using U-bolts or welded. But swapping bodies is alot of work. The easiest way is to find a used 4X4 crewcab.
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That video is an embarassment to Chevy's.
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what Vile said...
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What's wrong? You guys don't like mutant trucks? Actually i kind of dug it myself.
If you want to see some really weird stuff, go to the airport; Regular pickup cab on a really short wheelbase pulling luggage trains etc.
Seriously, what did you not like about the truck?
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That video is an embarassment to Chevy's.
+1 Even better that it is a Crew Body on a Standard Cab Frame, and the Guy added Diesel Tips to a Sealed Hood ::)
Since obviously you want a 4x4 Crew Pickup, want to dismantle the Burb anyways, and you don't mind welding or cutting, why not hack the Burb body??? Slice off the Back of the Burb, and the Back of the Crew's Cab wall, mate them together, then weld on behind the rear doors... Now trim up the Bed area of the Burb to behind the Rear Axle, then Graft on the top of the Crews Bedsides.. Add alittle extra(Not too much) length to the rear of the Burb Quarters, and Floor...
When Finished, you will have your own 1 of 1 K35 Crewmino ;D
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You keep jumping back and forth, but....
if you REALLY want a Crew 4x4 and you don't care about bed space (or lack of a bed) swap bodies.
If you want bed space and you want a long bed but you want 4x4, swap the drivetrain.
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its not a matter of "not liking mutant trucks", it's "not liking poorly-made mutant trucks". i had a K2500 Blazer (1976 GMC K2500 cab/axles, 1985 Chevy Blazer frame) myself and it was built right...it would have walked through that mud with no breakage...