Will a C20 Crewcab body fit on Suburban frame???? Please help.

[Basurto454]

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.

[Basurto454]

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[Captkaos]

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?

[Basurto454]

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.

[Fordeatinz71]

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...

[Basurto454]

Does anyone know for certain if the body swap will work?

Thanks,

[HAULIN IT]

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

[Basurto454]

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.

[Blazin]

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.

[HAULIN IT]

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

[Captkaos]

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...

[Basurto454]

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.

[Stewart G Griffin]

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.

[VileZambonie]

That video is an embarassment to Chevy's.

[Fordeatinz71]

what Vile said...