Hi everyone, been a long time since i've been here, feels good to be back. I was searching trying to find how compatible the frames are between an 02 and an 84 suburban. I am getting ready to swap the LS out of this 2002 suburban into my 84, but the 02 frame is in perfect shape and I was curious if It would be feasable to swap the 84 body onto the 02 frame. Any links or just whatever you can remember would be much appreciated!
CK5
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84 Suburban on 2002 frame
- Thread starter mattp1984
- Start date
Do a solid axle swap with it, then it's a great idea. Probably a good bit of fab work to make all the holes line up though.
SaS was certainly the idea!
Is your frame roached? If not swapping frames then doing a sas seems way more complicated than an engine swap. 
No the frame is solid on the 84. Im doing a complete frame off resto so either way the body is coming off of the 84. I wouldn't mind being able to use the 02's better rear axle and not having to mess with the fuel system.Is your frame roached? If not swapping frames then doing a sas seems way more complicated than an engine swap.
i think since ur taking the body off and the 84 frame is still good, id keep the factory frame, maybe do the typical strengthening tricks we all know around here and spruce up the drivetrain to ur liking. That being said…it’s not my truck! Either way would be cool done right
I am considering the same thing with my 2003 avalanche and 1989 suburban.
I got the avalanche for the 8.1, but I think it will be easier to put the body on the 2003 frame.
I started comparing but I am not done yet.
If I get solid numbers I will post here
Ok so have access to the 02 suburban? Then measure the wheelbase and width so it will sit right on the wheels. Then measure the frame to see if it will fit. You might have cut some off. But the main thing is the wheelbase and width. Good luck!
The newer frames are wider but the wheelbase is the same give or take an inch.
The challenge is how you place the body on the frame.
I was thinking of putting a 2×4 across on the frame to relocate the body mounts to where the body is and make the new mounts, also adjusting the heights to match.
That also possibly will give me a 2" body lift possibly.
That's what I was trying to figure out but I have other projects ahead of it
Ok so can go with wider tires and they will never know. The rest sounds good.
I decided to stick with the original 84 K10 frame after doing some deep digging. Apparently the GMT800 1/2 ton frames were made with poor quality steel which even though it has a superior design to the k10 frame, it is not desireable for a swap. I was told that due to the quality of steel used in the 84 half ton frame it is superior to the 2002. The man that told me this went into depth on the history and it made sense to me. He told me to check in front of the rear axle on the frame for rust and sure enough it was rusting worse there than anything I found on my 84 frame. After seeing that I decided to heed his advice and I'll move forward with boxing my 84 frame and getting it painted up and back to new.
That sounds like a good plan. Are you doing all the boxing yourself or buying it? I know this guy that makes a kit for my 82 Squarebody K5 name is Rob Bonney Fabrication he out Arizona.
Doing it all myself. I just buy steel locally and start cutting and welding.
Yeah my 2003 is a 3/4 ton HD and my 89 is 1/2ton, both California trucks zero rust.
