body swapping

[caliphatman8123]

heres my issue... I have an 88 GMC suburban and I want a pickup as I am the only one usually ever in it... I'm wondering what square body has the same wheelbase length that is Ca smog exempt that will fit the length so I don't have to find a whole truck to start over with... Or is that what I really would rather do anyhow... lol love the idea of two squares around the house but don't have a lot of space as of yet... any info would be greatly appreciated... thanks Sam

 

[Stroked]

I'm thinking the suburban frame would be quite a bit different than a pickup frame. not just in length, but in body mounting points. Anything can be done with a little ingenuity and fabrication.

 

[crazy4offroad]

One thing about it with that much frame to work with you could chop it down to fit any body you could want on there. I've always wanted a jacked up short bus, I think that would be cool as hell to be able to take just about all your buddies 4wheelin in 1 truck.

 

[HotRodPC]

NO can do without mods. Burb Frame doesn't match the length of any pick up, short or long. Not sure if there would be mounts for a bed either, or you could shorten a long bed just a little, or Bolt a truck cab on and go with a flat bed. Or be a true redneck and just cut the burb behind the front door posts, throw the back seats out and have a barn door swinging tailgate on a pick up with an open back.

 

[caliphatman8123]

thanks guys... love the input... thinking i might have found the truck i want...lol 76 step side 4x4 for 850.00... just needs the front axle fixed and a little body work... let ya know if I actually get the truck... if i do i want to also convert it to a tbi... is that hard to do?

 

[HotRodPC]

thanks guys... love the input... thinking i might have found the truck i want...lol 76 step side 4x4 for 850.00... just needs the front axle fixed and a little body work... let ya know if I actually get the truck... if i do i want to also convert it to a tbi... is that hard to do?

Not all that hard to do. Just a matter of running the wiring harness, and making provisions for VSS and electronic speedo cluster out of a later model Burb or K5 so you might have to use the NP241 transfer case. There's guys on here that have converted to TBI, Vortec and LS motors.

No choppin the top off the Burb huh??

 

[wildcatjason]

Not all that hard to do. Just a matter of running the wiring harness, and making provisions for VSS and electronic speedo cluster out of a later model Burb or K5 so you might have to use the NP241 transfer case. There's guys on here that have converted to TBI, Vortec and LS motors.

No choppin the top off the Burb huh??

I have every intention of turning mine into a four door step side. I just have to wait on the oldest because the third row is handy right now.

 

[HotRodPC]

I was actually kidding. I think I'd keep the Burb a Burb and find me a truck. K trucks aren't hard to find, but 4x4 Burbs, K5's and Crew Cabs are getting pretty tough cuz those who have them are holding onto them.

 

[caliphatman8123]

my wife would crap herself if she seen me with a sawsall or a torch near the burb unless it was to scrap it... she don't care for my big boy toy too much...lol

 

[caliphatman8123]

I bet that would look cool as hell... never thought of that... but not cutting on mine for a while...lol

 

[89Suburban]

I always wondered if a Crew Cab would fit on the Burb frame....

 

[bucket]

I always wondered if a Crew Cab would fit on the Burb frame....

Yup, it does. Just have to add a simple crossmember for the rear cab mounts.

 

[HotRodPC]

Yup, it does. Just have to add a simple crossmember for the rear cab mounts.

Then put a short short bed on it? Make it like a Ford Explorer Sporttrack??? uhhh NOT!! Don't think I'd like it.

 

[J Knight]

I seen some guys put a crew cab on a burb frame, looks odd but you might as well buy a crew and shorten the frame and put a stepper on it.

 

[HotRodPC]

I think it would make a good Truggy though. A Crew Cab on a Burb frame with a flatbed and full cage for Rock Crawling. Or maybe even a short flatbed with a gooseneck hitch to tow a trailer.