The Stovebolt Site Forums The Shop Area General Truck Talk Chassis Swap??

I'd like to convert my 72 Chevy Shortbed Stepside to four wheel drive. Has anyone ever replaced the body of a later model truck (ie 80s or 90s) and replaced it with the 67-72 body? How much work is required as far as bracketry, etc. or will it bolt up? Thanks!!!!!

It surprizes me that noone has done this.. If I could find a cheap 67-72 short bed 4x4 chassis, I would go that route. But I can't find one for a decent price. Any suggestions? Anyone?

There was a series in one of the four-wheel-drive magazines a couple years ago on what it takes to convert a two-wheel to four-wheel.

My neighbor used to have a '73 pickup sitting on a '72 four-by frame. I didn't see it built but was there to watch the body come off the frame. In that case most the brackets looked stock, but I don't know if they were moved from a '73 or if the body fit the '72 brackets.

The two-wheel front suspension was basically the same from '63 to '87, so you might find that a frame built before '88 an easier swap.

'88 is the first year for IFS on GM four-wheel-drive. I haven't been under a short-box that I remember, but I own a '89 long-box extended cab four-by and it has a very flat frame between about the fire wall and the rear spring mounts.

I'd think it could be done and might be real successful. But I've not seen it done.

Thanks for the response. I guess i'll have to go to a junk yard to take some measurements off of a 73-87 vintage frame. I would assume that the wheelbases are the same for these years. Thanks again.