Truck/Suburban frame interchageability?

[Number21]

I want to build a flatbed square body for a shop truck. It was going to be my '79 C30 but I would need to swap in an auto trans and the cab floor/rockers/doors are rusted out. I think I may just part this truck out and find another truck with the drivetrain I want. 4WD and a big block would be nice too...

Anyway, around here an '80s 4x4 loaded Suburban is much cheaper and easier to find than the same in a truck. If I find a 'burb with a drivetrain I like, can I remove the body and bolt on a regular truck cab and build a custom flatbed from there? I want to find a 73/74 cab for emissions reasons. Can I add to that monster my entire '79 front clip? Will that work on an 80s suburban frame? I would also like to keep the suburban doors which are more likely to be power everything than a 70s truck. And I want the rear gas tank.

Also, just how much work is involved in putting a 2WD cab on a 4WD chassis? Can I just cut a big hole and patch over it later hillbilly style? I'd like to find a 4WD cab, but, if it's a 73/74 I'll take what I can find.

Obviously I "can" do just about anything I want, but I'm looking for mostly a bolt together project.

[babyJay]

You may have to put on a 3 inch body lift. 4WD cabs have a taller "hump" in the floor to accomodate the transfer case.

[68 TT]

Originally Posted by babyJay

You may have to put on a 3 inch body lift. 4WD cabs have a taller "hump" in the floor to accomodate the transfer case.

Or he could just bolt in a high hump removable tunnel. The rest of the cab is the same.

[old Rusty C10]

youll have to modify the burb frame to accomodate the back of the cab and dont forget burb frames are wider than pickup ones... i found this out the hard way with a trailer hitch

[68 TT]

Originally Posted by Number21

I want to build a flatbed square body for a shop truck. It was going to be my '79 C30 but I would need to swap in an auto trans and the cab floor/rockers/doors are rusted out. I think I may just part this truck out and find another truck with the drivetrain I want. 4WD and a big block would be nice too...

Anyway, around here an '80s 4x4 loaded Suburban is much cheaper and easier to find than the same in a truck. If I find a 'burb with a drivetrain I like, can I remove the body and bolt on a regular truck cab and build a custom flatbed from there?...

Pretty straight forward swap. You will need to put a set of truck specific rear cab mounts onto the Suburban frame. After that the cab & front clip from your truck will bolt right on. The front cab mounts and the forward section of chassis are the same as the truck.

The curves of the Suburban frame are different from a truck behind the front cab mount so it may take a little playing around to build some rear cab mounts that will fit. The truck frame curves upward a few inches while the Suburban frame stays somewhat level.

The 80's Suburban high hump transmission tunnel may be integral with the floor and not be removable like the older ones are. I know the newer square bodies I have seen they were integral. I just don't know what year they made the change or if it was just option specific. You may have to locate a bolt-in type high hump transmission tunnel to put in it for transfer case clearance but otherwise the rest of the truck cab is identical 2wd vs 4x4.

Look for a 2wd half ton truck with A/C. It will make the Suburban parts swap easier and your insurance rates & registration costs will be lower too.

[68 TT]

Originally Posted by old Rusty C10

youll have to modify the burb frame to accomodate the back of the cab and dont forget burb frames are wider than pickup ones... i found this out the hard way with a trailer hitch

I thought the frame rail width was the same out back at ~34". That is good to know that they are different.

[DBLSPRT68]

Any more info on this? I think the Suburban is 2 inches longer? right? Other than the mounts in some different places and a flat frame, has anyone mounted a pick-up body on a Suburban frame???????????? The reason why I'm asking is in my signature below. That 89 is a really nice chassis for my 85 extended cab conversion to 3/4T without destroying my 83 3/4T in the process. If it can be done, I'll give it a try........... David

[Number21]

Alright...last chance to tell me I'm crazy...

I found a loaded 1991 burb 1/2 ton 4x4 with a 454 for $800, bad trans.
Still talking to a guy about a '73 C10 rolling chassis/cab for $400.
Can gut my '79 for front end and a 14 bolt rear axle.
Find a cheap TH400....

Sound like a recipe for a '79 suburban flatbed with the rare "emissions free" option?

[motornut]

sounds like a plan!

[TicTac520]

I just wanted to say thank you for the info on the swap. I'm going to be doing the same swap in a couple of months. I already own a '74 C-10, and my friend has a '90 Suburban 4x4 with a 700R4/NP208 setup in it. I'll post pics when we get around to doing the swap. Again, thank you for the info.

[csa daddy]

frame is the same width the only frame width diff in those trucks maybe be in a cab an chassis truck or a ton truck

[LostMy65]

I've read in some places that the frame is more flat on the suburban. It doesn't kick up as high after the cab like the pickup frame. Can anyone confirm?