Frame swap

[Dragracer]

Hello all, I'm new to the site. I have a 65 chevy swb step side and want to up grade the suspension, I have a 1996 chevy truck frame I could use and wondered if anyone has done a body swap to a newer model frame? Thanks

[Mikemelton]

I swapped mine to an 1986 GMC frame and it was a mistake. You will have to modify one or the other due to the curves in the frame and height and locations of the body mounts. So you will basically end up with a body lift like a 4x4.

[Dragracer]

Oh thanks for the reply I guess I should stick with the original frame and do the conversion to disc brakes

[Indian113]

DragRacer, there are so many upgrade parts available for our frames I would never try to do a frame change.

[Dragracer]

Indian113, I will probably do the upgrades instead of frame swap now that I see it will be problems with it, I just had one I could use but maybe can trade it for a 73-87 frame to use the suspension parts. I am learning a lot of do's and dont's on here. A great site. Thanks

[TommyDuncan]

I've read that a frame swap is easier if you shorten a Suburban frame since it doesn't kick up under the cab like a truck frame.
As mentioned earlier, unless you are making it a 4x4 there is no good reason to swap frames.