Body swap.

[stipton]

Guys I have a rookie question. I have an 84 K5 with title issue and some pretty bad rust so I was going to switch the body. However I just found an 78 K5 but its 2 wheel drive. I was wondering if a 78 body would fit on a 84 frame, or if it would be more feasible to switch the 4x4 drive train to the new blazer.
Thank you ahead of time.

 

[str8axle55]

A 2wd Blazer is a pretty rare bird. If it is solid, might be better to sell it for a profit and find a 4X4 body to swap.

 

[imiceman44]

A 2wd Blazer is a pretty rare bird. If it is solid, might be better to sell it for a profit and find a 4X4 body to swap.

Not that rare, but if he can find someone that wants it in his neck of the woods I say yes.
The 78 is the first year of the floor change, so it won't take too much to put the body on the 84 frame, but if you don't have lots of friends and or a big hoist, you are better off transfering the 4x4 stuff to the 2wd

 

[stipton]

So what all would be involved in swapping the 4x2 to 4x4? How difficult do you for see that being?

 

[imiceman44]

So what all would be involved in swapping the 4x2 to 4x4? How difficult do you for see that being?

well if you want to do it with the stock parts, not that hard, mostly the removal of the old parts by grinding the rivets, or you can buy them from someone that already has.
Or you can buy new parts from DYI4x4 or Ruffstuff.
You can do it all yourself with the right tools.
The body swap needs bigger equipment or number of bodies to help with lifting the body.

 

[85 Jimmy]

A body swap on to the other frame isn't that bad. I did it by myself in my gravel driveway. You just need a chain hoist and build a frame to put the hoist on that is strong enough to pick up the body. This is an idea that I got off of someone else on here. The top is doubled up 2x8's and the sides are doubled up 2x6's. I didn't remove the top or any of the interior of the white/blue blazer before I picked it up, but I picked up the front and set it on cinder blocks and then picked up the rear and rolled the frame out.

 

[imiceman44]

Oh if you wanna go there, I have done all kinds of body transfers by myself and no I wouldn't advise any of them to others as I almost killed myself a few times.
Anyway my point was not that your method is bad but not anyone can do this in their driveway.