Education on Cab Swap

[vintagetin]

If there is already a thread please send me the link as I had no luck using the "search" function.

I would like to drop a 55-59 chevy cab on an 84' C20 Chassis. I love the handling and utility of the square bodies and the engine and trans set up.

Is there a forum with information on the trouble spots of the cab swap? Has anyone done this?

[av8tr33337]

Not sure if it's here, or the HAMB or killbillet but I've seen one where a guy removed all but the floorboard of a c10 and dropped a 55-59 cab on it after removing it's floorboard. Never did see the finished product but it looked like a nice swap. If you have some imagination, welding and fabrication skills, it could be a fun little project.

I would double check the measurements from wheel mounting surface to wheel mounting surface on both of the trucks front suspension. I'm going to guess that the c10 or c20 is a couple inches wider, I could be wrong.

[fabguy]

Here are a few questions for you 1st. Are you going to cut the bed to allow the frame needed clearance?
The rear frame rails raise up a few inches as compared to the stock 55-59 frame, so some relief has to be allowed for the cab to sit tight to the frame.

Or are you looking to keep the bed looking stock?
I mean as in not modifying the inside of the bed. If this is the case then you will have to shim up the cab approximately 3" to match all the body lines.
After all that is figured out then you need to deside if you are going to bag it or leave it static which opens up a few other issues with track width.
My 58 has a 71 C10 front frame section grafted to the rear of a stock frame, it allowed me to retain the inside of my bed stock, and it didn't need to be shimmed to match the body lines, I have it bagged and added modular drop spindles to pull in the wheels 3/4" on each side for tire to inner fender clearance.
I also have a 55 suburban sitting on a completely stock 71 C10 frame and it was shimmed up 3" to attain proper clearance. I hope this helped you, if not then sorry for the babbling.

[vintagetin]

I was planing on making it a flat bed. I figured that would keep it pretty easy. Do you have a build thread on your '71 C10 chassis swap? That could be useful.

hmmm... I'd have to get a measurement on a 55-59 wheel base and check the room and fenders to see if the tracking is too wide on the '84 chassis. I do not plan to drop it. I'm looking for a stock looking fleet truck look.

[fabguy]

Originally Posted by vintagetin

I was planing on making it a flat bed. I figured that would keep it pretty easy. Do you have a build thread on your '71 C10 chassis swap? That could be useful.

hmmm... I'd have to get a measurement on a 55-59 wheel base and check the room and fenders to see if the tracking is too wide on the '84 chassis. I do not plan to drop it. I'm looking for a stock looking fleet truck look.

My build thread is in my signature if you'd like to check it out. I can possibly get you some measurements if you need them. Maybe even some part numbers for spindles, headers and such.