How similar are the square frames to later model trucks?

[TravisB]

I was driving to work this morning thinking about an LS swap for my square and had an idea. Would it be simpler to buy a rollover late model truck and sit my body on that truck instead of trying to swap all that to my frame?

Anyone with experience with both that can say one way or the other? I already have my truck in a million pieces so rolling a different frame under it would be just as simple as putting it's own back under it I imagine.

 

[TravisB]

If you are looking for specifics to compare, I have a regular cab, short box, 2wd, but wouldn't be opposed to rolling a 4wd frame under it. Nothing wrong with my current frame really, just daydreaming.

 

[shiftpro]

A late model truck that has been rolled will have a bent frame. This is one big reason we see 35 yr old trucks still in service, the squares actually had solid frames.

 

[shiftpro]

A well delivered fart will bend the frame on most new trucks. Most ten yr old trucks around here anyway have serious frame rust issues.

 

[dvdswan]

IMO, with all the kits out there for LS swaps into squares, it would be a lot less headaches just swapping the engine then swapping the cab onto a newer frame.

 

[CSFJ]

A late model truck that has been rolled will have a bent frame. This is one big reason we see 35 yr old trucks still in service, the squares actually had solid frames.

Solid is not a term I would use to describe a squarebody frame. Simple is a more accurate description. These frames will twist like cooked spaghetti when flexed off-road, but because they're a c-channel construction, they return to shape fairly easily. Newer frames are boxed, which traps road debris and dirt inside them, and rusts them out quickly. They are however, much more rigid. These trucks were designed to flex with the frames, newer trucks are designed the opposite. I also agree that a swap kit to put a ls into your frame would be the simplest most cost effective way to approach it.

 

[Big Chip]

• This a picture of my 2003 GMC after the frame broke the second time. Both sides were the same both times
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[bucket]

• This a picture of my 2003 GMC after the frame broke the second time. Both sides were the same both times
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Damn! Is this a common issue? I've seen a few of them rust out behind the cab area, but not up front.

 

[ajd89]

Damn! Is this a common issue? I've seen a few of them rust out behind the cab area, but not up front.

I was gonna ask the same thing. I had a 99 that was cracked on both sides but behind the cab.

 

[Big Chip]

Damn! Is this a common issue? I've seen a few of them rust out behind the cab area, but not up front.

When I was researching about reverse going out I discovered that it was very common. If you look at that picture there is a triangular piece of metal on the upper A-arm mount. It had broken behind that last time and I guess that worked to keep it from breaking in the same place again. It cracked and separated right in that hydroformed area behind the A-arm. It was just holding on at the bottom that time. The bolt was holding it together this time.

 

[bucket]

I guess I should look at that area on our '00 Burb. It's crusty on the underside, it was in PA and northern OH before we got it. It's a 3/4 ton though and they got a different frame. I don't know if that helps.

 

[Big Chip]

Mine was 2500HD regular cab 4wd with a 6.0.

 

[bucket]

Ugh. Something else to worry about with that truck.

 

[Big Chip]

Between that and the pile of junk Suburban, I had to swear off GM trucks for a while. I've had to put $132 into my Ram in 110,000 miles.

 

[bucket]

I guess I've had better luck with them, or at least the people I know have. A friend bought an '02 Silverado new and has only had to do basic maintenance. Another friend bought an '06 a year old and has had no trouble with it.

We only bought our '00 Burb a few years ago, with 87k on it. It was 100% original besides a water pump. It's had a lot of brake troubles due to rust, but I can't really fault GM for that. We've put 82k on it already, it has only required a fuel pump and a steering pump. Age was likely a factor with those too.