I came across a decent 1985 body that will save me weeks of work with welding and cutting panels. Does anybody know if a 1985 body will fit on a 1977 frame? I guess I am worried about the body mounting points.
CK5
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85 Body on a 77 Frame - will it fit?
- Thread starter ZombieK5
- Start date
If it’s a Blazer, the frame changed in 83. I’m not sure if the rear floor height changed that year or earlier but I’d be the floor between the rear and front seats is different in your 85 is different.
Think it could be compensated for with various body mounts?
I know somebody that did a body swap years ago, can’t remember for sure but I think it was a mid 80’s body on a mid 70’s frame. He had to rework the rear floor to clear the frame. The floor section in front of the rear seat. The body mounts all worked if I remember right.
too bad you are not close; I have an 86 frame
Arghhhhh
I think the big difference is the mid body mount locations. '76 and earlier had more bed floor and no rear footwells. '77 had the rear footwells come in and required the change in the body mount position.
If you have both frames it would be pretty easy to compare the body mount locations.
If you have both frames it would be pretty easy to compare the body mount locations.
I have the 77 body and frame and was looking at buying the 86 frame. My 77 has no rear footwells. I have replacement footwells for the 80's models and was hoping to extend the footwells. Regardless, if the 86 is solid I may look into modifying the frame or body.
FIFY
Yup, 78 was the footwell year. You're gonna be chopping into the rear floor area on the donor '85 tub. The rear footwell area will hit the frame behind the front seat area.
There are 5 rows of body mounts on a K5.
Position 1 is under the rad
Position 2 is under the front toe-board area
Position 3 is "midships". Outboard of the frame behind the front seat area on '78 and newer, inboard between the frame rails on a '77 and older.
Position 4 is the forward part of the bed floor
Position 5 is at the tailpan at the rear of the truck.
1, 2, 4, and 5 are all the same, position 3 is the trouble area.
If there is not a newer frame available I would consider channeling that part of the footwell area over the frame in that area and build some outboard mounts to work with the newer body at the number 3 position.
There are 5 rows of body mounts on a K5.
Position 1 is under the rad
Position 2 is under the front toe-board area
Position 3 is "midships". Outboard of the frame behind the front seat area on '78 and newer, inboard between the frame rails on a '77 and older.
Position 4 is the forward part of the bed floor
Position 5 is at the tailpan at the rear of the truck.
1, 2, 4, and 5 are all the same, position 3 is the trouble area.
If there is not a newer frame available I would consider channeling that part of the footwell area over the frame in that area and build some outboard mounts to work with the newer body at the number 3 position.
I know this is a late reply but I have an 89 body on my 73 frame with the windshield frame and associated parts for the full convertible all grafted on nicely. I did add/ move some body mounts around but it was all minor stuff and easy to do
I have a 77 Jimmy and I have no footwells in the rear.
