The Stovebolt Site Forums The Parking Lot Panels 'N Burbs Frame swap Burb

Anyone know if a 2005 Tahoe 4x4 frame swap is reasonable as to length and width on a 46-54 Suburban? Anyone tried it or done it? Thanks for any input! If not this frame some other 4x4 frame?

VetteCrazy,
I haven't done it but I've read a few posts of guys that want to try it. Take a look through the Hipo shop forum here.

The tahoe wheelbase looks very close to your suburban. the tire width you may need to accept a lifted look. the underside of the suburban is almost flat cab-front to back. you will need to Fab every bodymount bracket attaching the body to the frame. with luck there maybe a kit designed to fit a Tahoe.

Look at my photobucket below it may give you a idea of what is involved. My sons ME/BS degree takes priorty to our progress, plus he built his Truck..to check out some of the mods to do to our suburban.

looks like Trailblazer is an option with three inch extension if someone has done one with maybe 4x4 set up???

You are ruining my life with this talk of frame swapping.

GM Performance Division put a 1953 suburban on a trailblazer frame.

http://www.hotrod.com/featuredvehicles/hrdp_1111_1953_chevrolet_suburban_75_years_of_suburban/

I guess good article but no real details--wonder if they could be gotten??

you may be able to write to them or email them and ask, it's worth a try. I saw in person at the world will show in Kansas City last year, it was a nice suburban. The grille wasn't quite right and the headliner didn't fit correctly.i watched some youtube video's after they finished it.
1953 suburban
1953 burb
1953 burb street rod



Tim

Trail blazers also come with a straight 4200 motor, great engine. Ive considered it for a swap. An engine and chassis swap from a wrecked gmc envoy or trailblazer would be a cool swap. should be very close in wheelbase.

I have a 51 burb and have been working on a frame swap with a 2001 silverado z71, the frame has required some mods, we had to shorten it, relocate the torsion bars, antilock brake system and fabricate every body mount and buy a manual transfer case

Ed at EZChassisSwap takes that vintage of truck and slaps it on a S-10 frame. Might be another alternative for you.

Thks haven't seen that before.

Why did you relocate the torsion bars? I am considering a similar swap.

Just FYI the EZ Swap makes the body sit very high. Although it is a complete and good looking assembly of mounts and includes all that you need, and would buy one for a pickup, it made my burb sit to high for my liking and I did a lot of modifications to his brackets to get it down. And Ed told me it would sit higher that a pickup.Great guy to deal with too.
Great for a pickup as you can deal with the kick up over the rear axle raising the bed floor.
If i had it to do over again i would use a Heidt's front end, box the frame and install the rear end and springs of my choice.
Just my 2 cents....

Looking at their web site it looks like an option. Like to see some pictures that are more detailed as to installation of the kit.

Vette ,
What is end use for your burb? Do you want off road 4x4 or a modern drivetrain w IFS etc?' If latter I'd consider boxing existing frame w some type of IFS kit or sub frame as I don't see how to offset the rear kick up inside without major modifications inside rear floor area of the burb. As said above easier to swap frame on a truck as you just raise the bed floor. With boxed frame you can set up rear anyway 4 link, rear on top of existing leafs and no fab needed for mounts. To me that is a much quicker way to be back on the road. Good luck

IFS with maybe 4 link on rear but not 4x4. I once thought of Trailblazer with 5.3 and 4x4 original chasis modified for Burb body but that may be more than I want to do. Hot Rod article on Trailblazer 2x4 under 53 Burb looked good but the adaptation of fit for frt suspension looked extensive.

Hi Guys,
I have a friend at Progressive Automotive in Baltimore, Ohio building a frame for my 1946 Suburban. I'm actually putting a Duramax and Allison transmission in it!

Russ

Pic's???