3/4 body to 1/2 ton frame

[seventyx3]

I want to put a 1974 3/4 ton body on a 1973 1/2 ton frame. Will I need to make any modifications?  Both trucks are 2wd.   Thanks

[Dragon]

No real difference when they are around the same timeline(The Later Year Trucks from '81-87 or so, not only got an exterior redesign, but also some frame tweaks here & there), and share basic suspension setup(If swapping a 2wd to a 4wd, or vice versus, then there is a Trans Tunnel differences)...

[80stepsideguy]

If i`m not mistaken the only differences were the leaf springs and the front hubs and spindles and rearends were the only differences between the 2.Otherwise they were the same as far as frames and control arms and springs.If you were going to go from a 1 ton to a 3/4 ton i think they were different as far as the parts mentioned.

thanks
pat

[Captkaos]

It is a bolt on.  You HAVE to use the frame specific mounts though.

[Stewart G Griffin]

If i could stretch the question out further, mainly due to curiosity reasons, how about 1ton chassis cab to 1/2 frame.

i ask because i noticed that the 1 ton chassis cab came with bucket seats, so is the floor of the 1 ton's chassis cab (vs 1/2+3/4 "regular" cab) different?

[choptop]

I dont think so, I think the only difference in cabs is the center hump between the 4x4 and the 2wd.

[Stewart G Griffin]

In that case, i'm thinking that it is possible to put bucket seats in any pickup----assuming you can find some buckets out of a 1 ton chassis cab?

This is without any drilling or fabrication on brackets?

[Blazin]

Not all cab and chassis came with bucket seats. I would even go so far as to say that there were more 1/2 tons offered with factory buckets than 1 tons. Also the cab and chassis cabs are identical to a 1/2 or 3/4 ton cab. the only floor differences are 2 wheel drive SM456, & all 4x4s have a high center. 2 wheel drive autos, and three speed standards have a low floor center.

[Stewart G Griffin]

i have(as you may know) an 83 and clearly it shows in the owner's manual and factory service manual that the chassis cab could come with buckets.  i always thought that 83's pickups never came with buckets and that the only way to put them in is to select seats from whatever car/truck with buckets, and then make your own brackets to adapt to the trucks floor?  But apparently this is not true.

This is news to me.

[Blazin]

I didn't say they did not come with buckets. I said it was not as popular as the 1/2 tons with buckets. Except worded differently!

[seventyx3]

How about a blazer or suburban?  Will either of them fit on a longbed pickup frame?

[Captkaos]

Neither the Suburban or Blazer will go on a LWB frame.  Both are too short. and the frame isn't anything close to the same.

Of course with a welder and a sawzall, you can put a Corvette on a LWB frame...

[Captkaos]

Finding bucket seats in a 1T truck is going to be harder than finding a 1/2T truck with buckets.  Regardless of where you find them (on a 73-87 pickup) you will still have to get the mounting tabs that are welded to the floors.

[seventyx3]

Is it a direct bolt on to put a 77 4wd 1/ ton cab on to a 73 2wd 1/2 ton frame? 

[Blazin]

The cab is a direct fit. If the 1/2 ton is a standard shift the floor will be the same. If it is a 2 wheel drive then the floor center will be higher, but will not cause any problems. If the 73 is an auto and the 77 not you will need to either install a floor shifter or swap the column.