Crew Cab on Reg Cab Frame

[77GMCSerria]

How hard would it be to put a Crew Cab on a regular cab 8ft bed frame?

[77GMCSerria]

The Chassia is from a 1977 GMC Serria 25 with a 350,4x4,4-spd manual, I am planning on keeping the '77 drivetrain.

The Cab is a 1989 Crew Cab 2wd, Auto with a 8ft bed, I do not plan on using the 89 bed.

[roundedline]

What are you hoping on accomplishing by doing this?  Or what do you want your end result to be?

Can it be done, yes with some changes to the mounts from one truck to another.  You won't have a bed for it though.

Chris Lucas
www.73-87chevytrucks.com
www.captkaoscustoms.com
Project Su
Jimmy 2WD Project

[77GMCSerria]

Bassically I want a crew cab on a reg cab chassis, I plan on fabricating a custom mini bed.

Can I remove the mounts from the '89 chassis and put them on the '77 chassis?

[roundedline]

That is what I would suggest.  
Why not just shorten the Crew frame to the lenght you want.  It would probably be much simpler.

Chris Lucas
www.73-87chevytrucks.com
www.captkaoscustoms.com
Project Su
Jimmy 2WD Project

[77GMCSerria]

The crew cab frame is 2wd and I want 4x4.
Do I just move the rear cab mount on the 77 frame or use the ones off the 89 frame?  

[roundedline]

I would suggest inspecting both frames and the location and utilization of cab/chassis mounts and go from there..

If you have the 2 side by side it may be easier to convert the frame to 4x4 instead of removing the whole cab getting it level to the frame and fabricate all the mounts to work on the LWB truck.

Chris Lucas
www.73-87chevytrucks.com
www.captkaoscustoms.com
Project Su
Jimmy 2WD Project

[77GMCSerria]

It seems like it would be easier to move or add cab mounts than adding the 4x4 components and make the frame shorter.

[Blazin]

First problem that comes to my mind is you will have to raise the body up off the frame about 4" to 6" or channel the rear floor pan to clear the frame

[77GMCSerria]

Adding a body lift is no problem.

[77GMCSerria]

Could I put the '77 Grill and heardlights etc. on when the cab is a 89 Crew? If so would I use the '77 Radiator support or how would I do it?

[roundedline]

Moving the front suspension and rear suspesion is going to be alot easier than putting a crewcab on a frame it wasn't designed to fit from the factory.  The 4x4 stuff will bolt in place of the 4x2 stuff with no fabrication.  If you were mechanically inclined you could probably convert it over in 2 weekends from 4x2 to 4x4.  

As far as cutting the frame to shorten it, still wouldn't be an issue.  How do you think all these custom shortbed crewcabs are created?  All they are doing is bolting a short bed on the frame, marking it and cutting the section out and re-attaching it.

To go to the 77 frontend you need the fenders forward and the 77 cowl related items. you can do a search to find it.

Chris Lucas
www.73-87chevytrucks.com
www.captkaoscustoms.com
Project Su
Jimmy 2WD Project

[77GMCSerria]

Are there already holes in the frame for the mounting of the 4x4 compnents?

Edited by: 77GMCSerria at: 10/24/06 1:49 pm

[crazedhick3]

77' grill on a 89 cab?  Good luck.  The 89 is too round up front isnt it?

[toplessblazer]

His 89 is the same body style as 73-87. The blazers crewcabs and suburbans continued being produced with the 73-87 styling until 91. Sounds like you are thinking of the 88-98 style truck.