I have a 1962 GMC with a pretty cobbled frame, the rear shock mounts have been replaced with a 1/4in thick tab of steel welded to the top of the frame. It also has the factory motor mounts cut out and others welded in that are not in use. The motor (a 61' 235) is mounted by the bottom front mount, the mount itself is attached to the cross member by only 2 bolts and its kinda crooked. the trans (sm420) mounts are non existent, about 1/4 of the back lip of the trans sits on top of a cross member that has been poorly relocated and interferes with the torsion bars when the suspension is compressed.
Seems like its alot of work to repair the frame issues it has. I'm thinking I want to modernize it a bit anyways that way my wife can drive it. I would really love to convert to 4x4 with a bit of a lift and have disc brakes.
I've looked at E-Z Chassis swap kits, they recommend a 1973-1991 suburban. is that the chassis I should use?
I also have some complicating factors, I cant spend much money at once and I am limited as far as space goes. I do however have nearly unlimited time to complete the project.
I don't have a chassis yet though I am talking to a guy who has a 91 suburban with no trans for $100 but i think is only 2wd.
I looked at trying to swap over the suspension to a more modern setup but then I still have to deal with the crossmember and motor mounts, also to convert to 4x4 i would have to do a pretty ridiculous lift to get clearance for the front axle (not to mention making room for a transfer case).
so as far as I can tell a frame swap would be a good option as the amount of work required for either swap or repair of "original" parts is pretty close as well as potential cost.
I want to hear your opinions though, and if anyone has done a swap or conversion this big I want to hear about it, I read just about every conversion (both successful and not) that I can find through the search on here.
