Burb Frame swap

[TLoz]

Hi,
I've run into little issue. I'm switching out a 1977 burb frame with a 1988 frame. The dog house is not fitting or I should say the rad support isn't. I bolted the inner and outer fenders onto the body. I then set the rad support onto the frame and bolted up the front of the fenders to the support. Next, I loosened up all fender bolts and attempted to get the rad support mount holes to line up with the frame holes-even removed the bolts at the rear of the fenders. They're at least 1 inch off. Has anyone run into this? This is a 4 X 4. I'm concerned about removing and relocating the frame mounts since the front shackle is attached to it. Would it be possible to remove the mounting brackets off of the 77 and bolts those in front of the old mounts? What about the bumpers? What to do? Thanks in advance. Tom

[tvblazer78]

Your front frame harns are not going to be the same from the body mount to the bumper, so you can cut the the very end of your frame off and weld the old one on. I think this is about the only way to fix this.

Can anyone help him out with a easyer way?

[TLoz]

I went and cut the front off the 77 frame just forward of the steering gear box and started to compare/measure. From what I can tell, the only difference is the location and size of the rad support mount that's riveted on. It looks like it's riveted on the same as the 88 frame-at the front shackle, but it is wider with the hole at least 1 inch forward. Therefore I'm thinking about removing the rivets and bolting in place instead of attempting to locate and weld the frame horns on-I can do that in front of the mounts. If that works, welding the front bumper mounts will be a piece of cake. If changing out the rad support mount brackets doesn't work, I can cut the frame just in front of the shackle mounts and weld the two together.

Thoughts? Think it will work? Anybody done this? Many thanks, Tom

[tvblazer78]

I think you are right, that is the way to do it and a lot less work then welding the frame ends back on. Keep us updated!

[TLoz]

Travis,
Just finished flame wrenching the old rivets out of both frames. Really went smooth. The rivets that attach to the spring shackles will bolt right up. I'll need to weld up the other four holes and redrill. They're about 1/2 inch off. No problem. I was able to bolt the rad support along with the rear fender bolt in the center of the hole-that should give me plenty of room for adjustment. Next, I'll temp bolt it all together and install the valence panel and bumper and see how that goes. Thanks, Tom

[tvblazer78]

Sweet man! Keep us posted!

[capev86]

i would just use an 80's front end....cleaner looking than the 70's.

[WarBeard]

Originally Posted by capev86

i would just use an 80's front end....cleaner looking than the 70's.

I totally disagree. I hardly see any good ol' round headlights around here any more. So many people have done that swap.

[capev86]

the 80's front end is sleeker (especially with a full phantom grille). the 70's trucks are too busy looking on the front. the later front end was more in keeping with the rest of the truck. i have seen some nice 73-80 trucks and i like the 70's style brown with tan side stripe on any 73-91 burb. there is a nice late 70's pickup with that paint job up here. i just bought a 72 suburban 3/4 ton 2wd in very good shape from the original owner. now THAT truck looks good with the round headlights and the front end is cleaner looking than the style that immediately followed it. i say if you are going with a later chassis, just make things easy on yourself and go with the 80's nose. but keep the 70's shade paint job for a more nostalgic feel. it would be unique and people wouldn't be any wiser unless they checked the vin.

[truckfan]

round headlights rule. i used to change old trucks to square. now i change 81-87 to round.

i believe this is the color scheme

[TLoz]

Well, the switch is complete. It was a lot easier than I thought. Just needed to redrill 10 holes (8 on the rad mount and 2 on the front bumper mount) and everything lined-up and adjusted fine. As far as one's taste of round vs square, I like the round lights, period. I'm not going to have a two tone on this burb. It's just going to be viper red with the stick-on molding around the bottom third. I also like the dimmer switch on the floor