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Has anyone attempted a frame swap here? I have a 1952 GMC. I love the truck but would love to have 4-wheel drive plus p/steering and disc brakes. I have heard the wheelbase is different, but I have a wooden bed, so the back end could land wherever it does and still look alright. Any comments??

Try the Tech Tips section, lots of info here and it will help get you started. For more details about your truck try http://chevy.oldcarmanualproject.com/chevyresto/index.htm

Good luck

What model GMC do you have?

Pickups came in three different wheelbases and bigger trucks came in quite a few more. The wheel base is different than what?

Why do you want four-wheel-drive and how do you plan to use the truck?

I'm not challenging your desire to go that route, but rather believing better understanding your objectives would make it easier to comment on your options.

I see three approaches to what you want to do. Mount four-wheel-drive stuff on your existing frame, mount your cab on an S-10 or similar small truck frame, or mount your cab on a full-size truck frame.

Each approach has advantages and disadvantages and knowing which is best for you really depends on what you are trying to accomplish.

I have a 1952 GMC with the 6 foot bed. I would probably drive the truck year around, thus the disc brakes, p/steering and 4 wheel drive. Thanks for your interest.

Year-round street driver? Not a lifted and fully articulated rock crawler type?

If it were me I'd put it on an S-10 4x4 frame and run a 454 with a TH400 and NP205. But I'd probably build it based on a '54 GMC instead of a '52.

I say that because the S-10 frame and the '54 GMC cab are in my shop right now. The drivetrain parts are in a parts truck parked beside my shop.

While the project is on hold today for other reasons, this is one of my active projects.

Mine will probably not be a daily driver, but instead will be the alternate I use when the weather isn't real friendly. My current daily is low enough (Corvette) that when the roads are wet my windshield is hard to keep clear. This truck will be used if I'm tried of straining to see and on those rare days we see snow around here.

It will also be used to pull a trailer when I don't need a bigger truck to do the job. My primary trailer puller is too big and long some of the time and while this one would not make sense with a heavy load or long distance, it would certainly move the trailer around my yard with more ease than my bigger truck.

From the little you said about how you'll use the truck I see yours as primarily street driven with four-wheel-drive for inclement weather, not for wild off-roading. If off-roading was a big part of your plans I'd suggest putting straight axle type axles under it and using the original frame.

for a frame swap, I would go Dakota vs S-10 simply because the track width of the Dakota is closer than the S-10. However the ZR2 has a wider track width and an 8" rear.

However like Steve mentioned, a good alternative would be a straight axle under the original frame (just like Napco did)

Lotsa food for thought...Thanks 'bolters