61 gmc body on K5 frame

[rob61gmc]

i have a friend that is selling his K5 and I was thinking of putting my 61 gmc short bed on that frame. I was wondering if anyone has done something of this nature or if it is possible with the location of the body mounts lining up or not, and is the wheel base the same is the main question?

[kdrodworks316]

the K5 is shorter than your sb. the body mount are easy to move, but you would have a super shortbox. I would use the frontend under your original frame. lots easier than a bodie swap in my opinion.

[Captainfab]

Originally Posted by kdrodworks316

the K5 is shorter than your sb. the body mount are easy to move, but you would have a super shortbox. I would use the frontend under your original frame. lots easier than a bodie swap in my opinion.

Ordinarily I would agree, but with a '61 having a x-member frame, mounting a transfer case will be impossible without removing the x-member which means a lot of other work. Mounting the '61 cab on the K5 frame will require custom built body mounts (assuming it is a '73 and newer). Now concerning the wheelbase, I don't believe there is much of a difference. IIRC isn't a sb pickup 107"? a K5 blazer is 106.5" I haven't done a swap like you are asking about, but I have put a '62 body on a '75 sb 2wd frame. This is why I mentioned the custom body mounts....been there done that. I would say it depends on what you or your friends skills are as far as doing this swap.

[Frizzle Fry]

sb=115"
69-72 K5=104"

[Captainfab]

Originally Posted by Frizzle Fry

sb=115"
69-72 K5=104"

I stand corrected...I don't know why I was thinking 107"
The '73 and newer K5's are 106.5" So I guess a frame stretch may be necessary for this swap to work.

[kdrodworks316]

good point captian, I forgot about the x member. it would be a little tough to install a married t case unit without removing that. maybe a divorced np 205? leave alot of options for t case mounting and can give a longer front driveshaft. If your building a really tall truck, thats a good thing. I would not try to stretch the frame, to many splices can make a weak frame unless its really done right. 73-87 pickups are easy to come by so I would start with somthing longer and shorten it. I have a 77 sb with a bad body that would be a good doner if you were intrested.

[krazy_texan]

i say if you have good fab skills put the cab on it and weld a custom shortbed to it and make like a 61 jimmy kinda thing out of it