The Stovebolt Site Forums The Shop Area Engine Shop '54 body on '91 Z71 frame???

I have a 54 five window body in relatively good condition. Have opportunity to get a 91 Z71 4 wheel drive frame, with all the 4 wheel drive guts. Anyone have any thoughts on the wisdom of attempting this marriage? Any known impediments? All help appreciated. wjb

I initially misread your username as Willieblojob...Ha ha ha! Sorry.

Anyway, yes, I have given that topic some thought. I know some hotrodders will retrofit a Stovebolt truck with modern suspension components, which involves some significant engineering...but it works.
You'd probably have about as much engineering work to use a more modern frame under an old truck. But I don't see why it wouldn't work.

Hey, I've seen Corvette bodies stuck on 4X4 truck frames before. It's just a matter of making it work.

I'd make sure anything you do is reversible though, in case you change your mind. Then if you are successful, I'm sure you could sell your original frame and drivetrain to another Stovebolter interested in keeping the originality intact.

I agree, these trucks don't have the nicest ride for cruising. Let us know how it works out.

The biggest issue you will run into putting a 48-54 body on a 73 and later chassis will be the width difference. The early trucks are considerably narrower than the later trucks. You will either need to widen the body or fenders, or narrow the axles, neither a very good option. Hope this helps in your decision making, good luck, Garry

I'm working on a 4wd conversion using a Dana 44 front axle from a late '70s Jeep Wagoneer (narrow track) - it's almost exactly the right width, but I need to outboard the springs, due to the location of the differential.

My 53 sits on a 67 wagoneer frame with a dana 27 on the front and a dana44 on the rear. We tried to swap in a late 70's dana 44 front axle along with the steering setup, it just won't work right.You're right on the width, it's perfect,but the steering setup would result in cutting the frame for clearance. The dana 27 front axle has a terrible steering radius,that's why we wanted to swap in the 44 plus it has disc brakes. .I have a totally reconditioned dana 44 sitting on the garage floor. We went and bought an original 53 frame and put a mustang 11 setup on it. I liked the way the truck sat on the wagoneer frame, plus the 4 wheel drive, but we decided to go back to the original frame and a more modern setup.

A friend of mine wants me to buy his 4X4 1968 GMC 3/4 ton because it's rusting to the ground. Because of the rust, I don't trust his frame either, but I'm mainly interested in his 4WD and suspension. So I've thought about it, but decided rather than to put my body on his frame, instead to put his suspension and axles on my frame and make the necessary adjustments.

Any shop that works on rear ends should be able to help you narrow yours. That is a common thing with musclecars so that they can get big meaty rubber under their wheel wells.

If you do end up using your frame, I'd suggest a little strengthening of the frame while you're at it. Couldn't hurt. Maybe cross brace it.