81- body swap on a 73-80 frame

[Adel]

Hi Guys,
Got a 77 k5 the body was all rusty and the previous owner welded the fenders to the body as well as patched some of the floor pans not to mention that the pillars are all rusted. I am considering a body swap.... the question is, will a 81- body fit on the frame? I tried one out and it wont fit as the two crossmembers meet at head!!!!
Any advise??
thanks

 

[82355]

Cairo Nebraska, or Cairo on the other side of the whale pond?

The floor is different on 1973-1977 and 1978-1991. There is a deeper foot well for the rear passengers on the later models.

Martin

 

[Adel]

Hey Martin,
thank u for the reply. Yeah I realised so after trying to rest the body onto the frame!!! Is heres some sort of modification to install it??
Thanks buddy

 

[tRustyK5]

You'd have to modify the rear floor area to fit over the early frame and mount up properly at the mid-ship mounting area. Not impossible, but it will be a fair amount of work to make it work well and look decent.

 

[kennyw]

Why not use the 80's frame?

 

[Adel]

You'd have to modify the rear floor area to fit over the early frame and mount up properly at the mid-ship mounting area. Not impossible, but it will be a fair amount of work to make it work well and look decent.

Thanks Rusty, its good to know that its possible.
Do u know any thread to a similar mod? As I need yo have an idea abt what im getting into.
thanks again

 

[Adel]

Why not use the 80's frame?

Hey kenny,
well I already own the 77 frame so it was easierto get the body rather than looking for another frame.

 

[82355]

It is a downgrade really. The back seat is very uncomfortable on the early models.

Martin

 

[Adel]

It is a downgrade really. The back seat is very uncomfortable on the emodels.

Martin

Well here on the other side of the fish tank -Egypt- finding a decent one isn't that easy. I want to put the 81 body on but I am not quite sure on how its can be done.
Any ideas?
Adel

 

[82355]

A lot of cutting and welding to body panels.

Martin

 

[Adel]

A lot of cutting and welding to body panels.

Martin

Well I am searching for a 70s body before taking the decision of taking the 80s body apart.
better be safe than sorry man.
adel