Crew Cab body swap complete *PICS*

[MTMike]

I didn't think this project would actually happen, but a friend said he'd spend a saturday helping me down at his dad's garage where he had a chain hoist.

We used 2 tow rigs with 2 trailers and the chain hoist to pull this all off.

First thing we did was pull the crew cab off the donor truck:

Next, we pull the body off my truck:

Next, we roll the crew cab body back into the shop, and roll the chassis under it:

This whole process took 4 hours. The rest of the day was spent positioning and moving the body mounts to their right location. 2 sections 2"x12" had to be removed from the body to allow the frame to come in so the body sat level on there. Also, the drivers side rear most body mount fell right onto the indent in the frame for the shock mount, so a custom mount will have to be fabbed for that one.

The mounts are comprised of a combination of poly bushings and the front 2 mounts use the 3" body lift blocks. The middle 2 and rear 2 used standard height body bushings.

This is where it sits as of 11pm Saturday.

It's immobile because the wiring harness needs to be moved and such before it's ready to be driveable.

More updates as I get closer to finishing all of the little minor details that. From this point forward it's not so much dragon slaying as it is killing 1000 lizards.

I'm not good at detailed writeups, but I'll have more pictures, and will answer any questions people might have.

Mike

 

[camiswelding]

awesome project mike... go baby go

 

[yeild2me]

You know, I have often wondered why no one has done this. Lighter than a K5, DOUBLE the room of a standard cab truck, and a lot less length versus an uncut crew cab.

Cool, cant wait to see how it goes.

ROb

 

[mtnman]

Awesome

Killer project!!! Keep us posted on the progress. I'm gonna do the exact same thing someday!

 

[KingDuramax]

Nice project. I have thought of doing the same thing.

 

[79k20350]

That looking awsome man! Sweet deal!

 

[readymix]

I have wanted to do that for years. Awsome job. Keep us posted

 

[sled_dog]

cool project

 

[k2mslskier]

Very cool project. Got me to thinking...I have a 73 K2500 sitting in the yard...hmmmmmmm. One question I have though, the clearance between the rear tires and the corner of the cab, will that be an issue or do you have something already figured out?

 

[rdn2blazer]

question, do you think it would have been better to do this on a suburban chassis instead of a pickup truck platform? whats the wheel base difference of a burb to a LB truck wheel base? I ask this just because the fact that a burb allready has a similar four door design so I thought that the body mounts might be located in a similar or the exact same location. just qurious about your thoughts on this.

 

[79k20350]

question, do you think it would have been better to do this on a suburban chassis instead of a pickup truck platform? whats the wheel base difference of a burb to a LB truck wheel base? I ask this just because the fact that a burb allready has a similar four door design so I thought that the body mounts might be located in a similar or the exact same location. just qurious about your thoughts on this.

lwb truck equals 128 or 129, a sub is 131

 

[rdn2blazer]

lwb truck equals 128 or 129, a sub is 131

so not much difference but maybe enough to help with tire clearence to the back of the cab. now what about the mounting to the truck VS. burb chassis?

 

[MTChevy]

looking great Mike! I didnt call you memorial day cause i passed though billings pretty early in the AM. Maybe on my way back. Thats looking bad ass!

 

[readymix]

I am almost positive that my LWB is right at 131"

ANyone know for sure without me measuring

 

[smokkey1]

a burb WB is 129" IIRC

awesome project!!!

 

[nvrenuf]

I am almost positive that my LWB is right at 131"

ANyone know for sure without me measuring

A std cab lwb = 131.5" and crew cab = 164" (cab & chassis trucks are different), as stated a Burb = 129".

 

[beater_k20]

lwb truck equals 128 or 129, a sub is 131

lwb truck is 131.5, you may be confusing your specs.

 

[muddybuddy]

looks good

 

[MTMike]

Thanks for all the words of encouragement

so not much difference but maybe enough to help with tire clearence to the back of the cab. now what about the mounting to the truck VS. burb chassis?

The reasons I didn't go with a Suburban is:

1) I have a ~124" wheelbase (Shortbox with reverse 56" rear springss (+4") and 52" fronts (+3)), and I wanted to keep that wheelbase.
2) I don't have a suburban, nor do I have the $ or time to go and buy one & start the buildup all over again. I picked up this cab for $75
3) Who else can say they have an 80's era Chevy K10 SWB Crewcab

I will add pictures as I work out the details such as fuel tank/cell placement, where I make the final cuts in the back of the cab for tire clearance, and how I shorten the box.

Mike

 

[Engineered Vintage]

That is killer!