been surfing the forum for some time now, trying to figure out a project...name's seth. got a 86 K5 with a 6.2 diesel; body is pretty much shot, frame looks great. go figure. question is would a 73 (or other full convertable) body fit on this frame. not afraid to cut, fab, and weld... just wonerin how involved this would be...if this has been covered before, sorry, nothing came up on a search that was directly related. thanks in advance.
CK5
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73 K5 body question
- Thread starter heckyl
- Start date
blowedupmotor87
1/2 ton status
Welcome to the board! There's lots of knowledgeable people on here! Figured I'd welcome a fellow North Carolina resident!
Last edited:
lectric80
3/4 ton status
It really won't work quite like you think. Although the 73-75 body is basically identical, there is a key difference that will have an effect. In mid-77 Chevy went to a drop center frame that gave more room in the foot wells, as well as the rear seat passengers more leg room. So any body made prior to this time is going to be basically flat across the floor. Your 86 frame is drop center and will not match up with the older body. You could possibly fab up something to fill the gap, but it may not be very safe nor very appealing. You would really have to look at the two frames side by side to really see what I mean, but it is a pretty significant difference in the frames.
Well, as said, the floorboards are different.
The earlier body on a newer frame is actually the easier of the two; you'll have empty space, as opposed to having to cut anything. I gather you'll hafta fab new body mounts in the middle... maybe build a new crossmember, donno, haven't had to do it myself.
I'd say doable if you have a welder, but take your time, be sure to replace all the other body mounts, etc.
-- A
The earlier body on a newer frame is actually the easier of the two; you'll have empty space, as opposed to having to cut anything. I gather you'll hafta fab new body mounts in the middle... maybe build a new crossmember, donno, haven't had to do it myself.
I'd say doable if you have a welder, but take your time, be sure to replace all the other body mounts, etc.
-- A
...still early in the process, i also have a 70 c10 that may become a k5; more projects than time...or skill. thanks for all the info yall. cheers.
