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Let's talk about frames...

crashandburn

crashandburn

1/2 ton status
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Dec 6, 2007
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Part of this comes from the fact that I am about to build my mancave/workshop/garage, and having not had one since the big move 6 months ago, I'm going a little nuts and getting bad ideas.

So I've got this truck. It's a 96 Burb 2500, 6.5 TD, and I cut the back of it off and moved the window forward. I call it a Suburbalanche. One of these days I'll get around to putting up some build pics. Next I want to do an SAS. I'm thinking about doing a 5 link coil setup from a 90's Dodge.

So here's my idea. I plan to find a blowed up truck similar to mine, pull the body off, make all the mods, then swap my body and drivetrain onto the chassis. Then fix the minor rust issues on my existing frame, reassemble the blowed up truck, fix it, and sell it at enough of a profit to fund the project. What could possibly go wrong?

So, here come the questions:
1500 or 2500 frame... is there that much of a difference? Is there any benefit to the 2500 frame for my particular needs? I will never put anything REALLY heavy in the truck, but I might tow a car trailer with a Burb on it. The 1500 frame is probably plenty strong for that, right? Any road handling or off road benefits of a 2500 frame?
How do these 90's frames compare to the 80's frames for strength? Everyone says they are stronger, but again, is it silly to wonder if it would not be enough?
I am strictly referring to the frame, axles will be 1 ton regardless.
 
2500 with six lugs, have the same frame as a 1500.
2500 with eight lugs have the same frame as a 3500.
At least for early 90's, they might have changed it later on...

A 1500 frame will probably be enough though,
especially if your going to put a cage on it.
 
Is the "bed" area any bigger than a short bed truck? If not, I can't see why it would make that big of a difference other than maybe a little more flex when twisted up.
 
Good info! Any idea on the thickness of the 90's frames? I'm told they are much stronger than the 80's, but don't know.

As for your question, my Burb is 131" wheelbase, the same as a single cab longbed pickup.
 
The frame thickness should be 3\16" on that style burban, atleast the truck frames are.
 
Interesting. Sounds like I should hold out for a 2500 frame. Is there a difference between pickup frames and burb frames? Same wheelbase and all...
 
Well im pretty sure the burb has different crossmembers and the rear hump or section is different. What you think about a 01, 2500 frame?
 
crashandburn said:
Good info! Any idea on the thickness of the 90's frames? I'm told they are much stronger than the 80's, but don't know.
Click to expand...

I'd say that the front section of the frame is stronger, since it's boxed.
But I don't know if there's so much difference in the rear section.

My 6-lugged 2500 pickup truck had a thickness of roughly 4mm in the rear part of the frame.
After a crash I welded in the rear section of a 8-lugged 2500, and that one was about 7mm thick.
 
Fred_M1010 said:
I'd say that the front section of the frame is stronger, since it's boxed.
But I don't know if there's so much difference in the rear section.

My 6-lugged 2500 pickup truck had a thickness of roughly 4mm in the rear part of the frame.
After a crash I welded in the rear section of a 8-lugged 2500, and that one was about 7mm thick.
Click to expand...


That's a big difference. My rig is an 8 lug.
 
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