Body Swap?? - The 1947 - Present Chevrolet & GMC Truck Message Board Network

griesel72 · 09-30-2003, 07:57 PM

I am the new owner of Randy (teeitup's) big green machine. Just wondering how hard a full on body swap will be for me. I have access to a lift, and was wondering if i can leave the front clip attached to the cab and lift them off and back on at the same time?

It seems like it will be easy, but just want advice from those who have done it in the past.

Thanks

David

Oborny71 · 09-30-2003, 08:04 PM

I think its easier to seperate the cab from the front clip. It won't be as bulky to lift off. The cab has four bolts holding it to the frame and the front has two. you need to remove the cowl to access bolts from the fenders to the cab. its really pretty easy to do. Good luck!

Hooter · 09-30-2003, 08:14 PM

put it this way, how many friends do you have? and how much are you willing to spend on beer. Use lots of penetration fluid, and strong friends and you should be able to get it done, without excess amounts of difficulty

dinnut · 09-30-2003, 10:04 PM

i would like to do a frame off resto on a truck and also wonder how hard it is to do.

Longhorn Man · 09-30-2003, 11:14 PM

Don't try to lift the cab and front clip. It will fold if you do. You could brace it, but by the time you got it all rigged up, you coulda done it the other way and had a few beers in you.

RON WOODGEARD · 10-01-2003, 02:49 AM

I have done this 6 times, Do it seperate...

Ron

JimKshortstep4x4 · 10-01-2003, 06:55 AM

We have changed out the cab with the front clip on on three trucks and it worked very well. You will want to sling it and your fenders should be in good shape. We used two hoists.

Jim

Dean · 10-01-2003, 07:22 AM

I guess I am a little different. I have done five K20 body swaps and I have left the doghouse attached to the cab on all of them. I'm getting ready to do another one here in the next few weeks. Anything can be done if you are careful. I'll take some pics when I do the next one here.

VTKidder · 10-01-2003, 07:54 AM

I did mine separately (disassembled the entire front clip), and it worked out well, but wish I'd done it all in one big chunk; doghouse and cab together because once I had the cab on the frame, and started piecing together, stuff just didn't line up like it did. Took me HOURS of frustration and Budweiser

to get the lines looking good again.

Have some friends hold the front clip, and do it all at once.

VTKidder · 10-01-2003, 07:56 AM

Quote:

Originally posted by dinnut
i would like to do a frame off resto on a truck and also wonder how hard it is to do.

Ask anyone of us who have embarked on this mission....it's not as easy and quick and cheap as you EVER plan on. Something always comes up, things always head south, and it always costs more than you have to spend. Worth the time and money when it's done (I'm hoping!), but not an easy chore.

tom hand · 10-01-2003, 08:34 AM

You only have to remove a few bolts to remove the front clip in one piece, saveing all the problems of linging the the stuff back up. I think it would be much easier that way

Dean · 10-06-2003, 08:33 AM

I just did another body swap Saturday. No problems and was finished in a matter of minutes leaving the front clip bolted on as usual. All I used was a chain hoist, nylon strap, 2X12 through the cab, welding vise grips, one ratchet strap and a sling. PM me if you have any questions on my redneck body swap procedure. I have more pics, but they are on my other camera.

Dean · 10-06-2003, 08:34 AM

another.

Dean · 10-06-2003, 08:34 AM

third

JimKshortstep4x4 · 10-06-2003, 09:15 AM

Dean,

Nice setup! Your pics show your setup real well.

Jim

mocwon · 10-06-2003, 11:25 AM

Truck are a hell of a lot easier than unibody cars and are far simplier to work on.
You can just about bet you will end up spending more than you planned. I am in the middle of a frame off restoration and should have about $10K in it when done. This includes new motor, interior, paint, suspension and on and on. The only way to do one to this extent this cheap is to do most if not all of the work yourself and hunt around for deals on parts. Classic Industries just had a 20% sale that ended last month that provided great prices on quality items. Swap meets are also a good place to hunt for treasure.

09-30-2003, 07:57 PM	#1
griesel72 Senior Member Join Date: Apr 2003 Location: Howard, Kansas USA Posts: 1,997	Body Swap?? I am the new owner of Randy (teeitup's) big green machine. Just wondering how hard a full on body swap will be for me. I have access to a lift, and was wondering if i can leave the front clip attached to the cab and lift them off and back on at the same time? It seems like it will be easy, but just want advice from those who have done it in the past. Thanks David Attached Images __________________ 1969 K10 Custom 10 1997 Z71 2006 Volkswagen Jetta TDI 2006 King Ranch 1980 Wife

09-30-2003, 08:04 PM	#2
Oborny71 Registered User Join Date: Apr 2001 Location: Lincoln, Nebraska Posts: 587	I think its easier to seperate the cab from the front clip. It won't be as bulky to lift off. The cab has four bolts holding it to the frame and the front has two. you need to remove the cowl to access bolts from the fenders to the cab. its really pretty easy to do. Good luck! __________________ 67 Chevy SWB - goal of a 1,000 hp weekend cruiser

09-30-2003, 08:14 PM	#3
Hooter My other Love Join Date: Aug 2001 Location: Castlegar B.C. Canada Posts: 4,085	put it this way, how many friends do you have? and how much are you willing to spend on beer. Use lots of penetration fluid, and strong friends and you should be able to get it done, without excess amounts of difficulty __________________ Castlegar B.C.The great white North (Canada Eh!) Hooter_5@hotmail.com First generation Monte Carlo club pictures of my life

09-30-2003, 10:04 PM	#4
dinnut Registered User Join Date: Apr 2003 Location: missouri city, tx Posts: 4,486	i would like to do a frame off resto on a truck and also wonder how hard it is to do. __________________ 70 longbed 496/th400/Ford 9"

10-01-2003, 08:34 AM	#11
tom hand CCRider Join Date: Feb 2000 Location: Olive Branch,MS,USA Posts: 2,232	You only have to remove a few bolts to remove the front clip in one piece, saveing all the problems of linging the the stuff back up. I think it would be much easier that way __________________ 72 GMC Sierra SWB almost finished---- 84 Softail Olive Branch MS

09-30-2003, 11:14 PM	#5
Longhorn Man its all about the +6 inches Join Date: Jan 2001 Location: Hilliard Ohio Posts: 2,690	Don't try to lift the cab and front clip. It will fold if you do. You could brace it, but by the time you got it all rigged up, you coulda done it the other way and had a few beers in you.

10-01-2003, 02:49 AM	#6
RON WOODGEARD Resident Young Old Dude ! Join Date: Jul 2001 Location: Nevada Posts: 1,948	I have done this 6 times, Do it seperate... Ron

10-01-2003, 06:55 AM	#7
JimKshortstep4x4 Senior Member Join Date: Jul 2001 Location: Muskegon,MI,USA Posts: 6,026	We have changed out the cab with the front clip on on three trucks and it worked very well. You will want to sling it and your fenders should be in good shape. We used two hoists. Jim

10-01-2003, 07:22 AM	#8
Dean Senior Member Join Date: Jan 2000 Location: Cincinnati, Ohio Posts: 1,492	I guess I am a little different. I have done five K20 body swaps and I have left the doghouse attached to the cab on all of them. I'm getting ready to do another one here in the next few weeks. Anything can be done if you are careful. I'll take some pics when I do the next one here.

10-01-2003, 07:54 AM	#9
VTKidder Registered User Join Date: May 2003 Location: Vermont Posts: 996	I did mine separately (disassembled the entire front clip), and it worked out well, but wish I'd done it all in one big chunk; doghouse and cab together because once I had the cab on the frame, and started piecing together, stuff just didn't line up like it did. Took me HOURS of frustration and Budweiser to get the lines looking good again. Have some friends hold the front clip, and do it all at once.

10-06-2003, 08:33 AM	#12
Dean Senior Member Join Date: Jan 2000 Location: Cincinnati, Ohio Posts: 1,492	I just did another body swap Saturday. No problems and was finished in a matter of minutes leaving the front clip bolted on as usual. All I used was a chain hoist, nylon strap, 2X12 through the cab, welding vise grips, one ratchet strap and a sling. PM me if you have any questions on my redneck body swap procedure. I have more pics, but they are on my other camera. Attached Images

10-06-2003, 08:34 AM	#13
Dean Senior Member Join Date: Jan 2000 Location: Cincinnati, Ohio Posts: 1,492	another. Attached Images

10-06-2003, 08:34 AM	#14
Dean Senior Member Join Date: Jan 2000 Location: Cincinnati, Ohio Posts: 1,492	third Attached Images

10-06-2003, 09:15 AM	#15
JimKshortstep4x4 Senior Member Join Date: Jul 2001 Location: Muskegon,MI,USA Posts: 6,026	Dean, Nice setup! Your pics show your setup real well. Jim

10-06-2003, 11:25 AM	#16
mocwon Keep On Truckin' Join Date: Mar 2003 Location: Buda, Texas Posts: 1,354	i would like to do a frame off resto on a truck and also wonder how hard it is to do. Truck are a hell of a lot easier than unibody cars and are far simplier to work on. You can just about bet you will end up spending more than you planned. I am in the middle of a frame off restoration and should have about $10K in it when done. This includes new motor, interior, paint, suspension and on and on. The only way to do one to this extent this cheap is to do most if not all of the work yourself and hunt around for deals on parts. Classic Industries just had a 20% sale that ended last month that provided great prices on quality items. Swap meets are also a good place to hunt for treasure. __________________ Just Passin' Thru Some projects are like herding cats; others are like putting out fires; this one was like herding cats on fire.....



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