73-75 torsion boxes on post 76?

[Cntymnty77]

Maybe a dumb question but has anyone ever used the torsion boxes from a 73-75 on a 76 or older for their conversion? I would imagine there would be some fab work involved to get them to work on the back side. I’m just wondering.. I found a 75 for sale and I’m planning on getting the doors off of it and a few other parts and one was the boxes but didn’t know if the fan work would be worth it or, if anyone has ever even done it before.

 

[nvrenuf]

I’m not saying it’s never been done but before cutting my Blazer I did a ton of searching on the subject and never saw where anyone transferred rocket boxes.

 

[Cntymnty77]

I’m not saying it’s never been done but before cutting my Blazer I did a ton of searching on the subject and never saw where anyone transferred rocket boxes.

That’s why I was wondering. I didn’t know if it was to much of a pain in the ass or if the parts just weren’t available enough to do it with.

 

[ZooMad75]

Most of the time the rocker boxes are the first to rot out due to the location. I'd bet money the ones on your donor truck are rotten to some extent. It is probably why most don't swap.

But short of going full cage to add support to the body I'd look at making some structural rock sliders that would replace the sheet metal with 2x3 boxed tubing to the body. I think one of the articles in the tech section go through that install.

 

[Cntymnty77]

Most of the time the rocker boxes are the first to rot out due to the location. I'd bet money the ones on your donor truck are rotten to some extent. It is probably why most don't swap.

But short of going full cage to add support to the body I'd look at making some structural rock sliders that would replace the sheet metal with 2x3 boxed tubing to the body. I think one of the articles in the tech section go through that install.

I remember coming across that article a while back but don’t remember who posted it.

 

[mechted]

They would be a huge pain to remove. Due to all of the spot welds you would essentially be taking out 75% of the cab floor to get them free.
They wont match the rear floor design of the 78+ models
Also: they arnt that complicated to remake. Its essentially 2 or 3 pieces of sheet metal and a lot of spot welding. And as mentioned: most people just install a beefy rock slider for structure.

Couple places to look:
https://ck5.com/forums/threads/abou...e-conversion-rocker-boxs.334995/#post-3917460
https://ck5.com/forums/resources/1973-k5-floor-replacement.81/

 

[ZooMad75]

Here's one I remember.

Linky

 

[Cntymnty77]

They would be a huge pain to remove. Due to all of the spot welds you would essentially be taking out 75% of the cab floor to get them free.
They wont match the rear floor design of the 78+ models
Also: they arnt that complicated to remake. Its essentially 2 or 3 pieces of sheet metal and a lot of spot welding. And as mentioned: most people just install a beefy rock slider for structure.

Couple places to look:
https://ck5.com/forums/threads/abou...e-conversion-rocker-boxs.334995/#post-3917460
https://ck5.com/forums/resources/1973-k5-floor-replacement.81/

Well that’s awkward.. lmao!

 

[fastazz81]

Even with the rocker boxes they still flex with the top off. Some sliders and a cage are the best fix

 

[ZooMad75]

Even with the rocker boxes they still flex with the top off. Some sliders and a cage are the best fix

Shoot on my old 75 it flexed with the top on! It would rattle the bolts out of the brackets on the windshield header on rough roads. Other times playing off road a door wouldn't open or close when flexed.

 

[fastazz81]

Ya depending how I park it the doors are hard to open even with the top on

 

[imiceman44]

Shoot on my old 75 it flexed with the top on! It would rattle the bolts out of the brackets on the windshield header on rough roads. Other times playing off road a door wouldn't open or close when flexed.

Happened to me in my 73 and it was zero rust.