I have a wrecked 2008 suburban 4x4 and a 1988 suburban 2wd with bad transmission. There is only .5" difference in wheelbase any reason not to try this swap?
CK5
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1988 body on 2008 chassis?
- Thread starter Csm Davis
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Nope, go for it. There was a guy in Vegas that was making squarebody Suburbans that way. He used Duramax drivetrains also.
I have no experience except buying a long bed from the guy.
I have no experience except buying a long bed from the guy.
Is the 2WD trans tunnel the same, and/or can you swap it? Is your 2008 the 4L60 or the 6L80? I thought the 6L was bigger around, but they also go into cars, so who knows?
You might end up with a body lift of varying heights to make it line up and you should expect to add/move body mounts. Other pitfalls I can think of are location of fuel fill and fit of the bumpers. What are the overall body lengths? I believe the body is wider on the '08 than the '88.
You might end up with a body lift of varying heights to make it line up and you should expect to add/move body mounts. Other pitfalls I can think of are location of fuel fill and fit of the bumpers. What are the overall body lengths? I believe the body is wider on the '08 than the '88.
Glad you are here, would the factory 4 link in the rear be a good starting point to a good 4 link for the rear? It is one of the reasons I am wanting to do this.
Look at the frame measurements comparing the two different frames..
Continental, Car On-liner & other frame repair machines have measurements + images of said frames for repairing....
Should be an academic review to determine if you can retro the new frame to fit the d body mounts.
Continental, Car On-liner & other frame repair machines have measurements + images of said frames for repairing....
Should be an academic review to determine if you can retro the new frame to fit the d body mounts.
guys on FB gmt455 3500-hd group have swapped 99-up body's on these truck frames . they say 88-up body mounts went for the most part universal and drop on for gmt400 body style and up .
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Any links to get this information from? Hit a pay wall on the search I did.
All, I can add is. If you do go through this, you better do a build thread.. lol
Some guy on fb has a blazer on an 08 denali chassis. Ill if i can find it again
Just found out that the square body's may have different tunnels in them? The 08 has a 4L60, as to the 6.0L I believe all the LS type are the same exterior size. Body mounts can easily be moved as a general rule. As can the gas access. Love the input guys thanks!
If talking square body style 73-87-91 these frames are narrow over the gmt400 & newer wide frame . If i recall its 11" between body mount bolt spacing . So to put a older body on a newer frame is more work .
Just seen a guy on FB the other day up in Canada that does chassis/body swaps on the crew cabs. He just uses the shell and then puts the floor and dash from the newer truck chassis with the old square body shell. Gives you an old looking truck that drives like a newer one. I personally don't like having the newer interior. I would rather have just the newer chassis with old interior. Anything is possible with the right tools and skills.
