Labor Day Putting down your wrenches or time for
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Apr 26th, 2026 | | AD Chevy Trucks  Over 6,000 pictures Brad Allen has an awesome collection of Chevrolet factory pictures that he has set up from film strips. Check them out!
Lots of work on Brad's part ... pure enjoyment (and references) for you!
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| | | | Joined: Jun 2013 Posts: 38 Wrench Fetcher | | Wrench Fetcher Joined: Jun 2013 Posts: 38 | I am new to this forum and don't know a lot about AD trucks but I am a quick learner. I have a good running '97 suburban with a 5.7 vortec and a 4L60. It would be so much easier to use this frame instead of going the S10 route. I know the frame would have to be shortened. I am a fair welder and fabricator but not good at body work. Question: Is it possible/practical to put an AD body on the suburban? I know there is tons of knowledge and talent on this forum. All suggestions will be appreciated either here or by e mail. Ralph [email protected]
Ralph
All gave some - some gave all" -- A veteran is someone who, at one point in his life wrote a check made payable to the United States of America for an amount of "up to and including his life."
| | | | | Joined: Nov 2010 Posts: 15 'Bolter | | 'Bolter Joined: Nov 2010 Posts: 15 | Ralph not formiliar with the suburban frame under an AD truck, I do know that if you have the vision, time and talent anything can be made to fit as long as you keep the geometry and wheelbase correct. I have my 52 sitting on a 84 chevy caprice B body frame and with a few modes to the frame it all came together and sits nicely. Good luck with your build. | | | | | Joined: Apr 2005 Posts: 177 'Bolter | | 'Bolter Joined: Apr 2005 Posts: 177 | get a tape and measure both frames to see how wide they are where the cab sets, the wheel tracking front and rear ,the frame from the firewall forward. the kick up on the rear frame behind the cab. if there are close you can make it work. a friend just put a 58 apache on a 2000 escalade frame with all the running gear fits and looks good | | | | | Joined: Apr 2008 Posts: 99 Shop Shark | | Shop Shark Joined: Apr 2008 Posts: 99 | JDeereGn, Welcome to Stovebolt! Like leonard said "measurements" a few hints that we learned: One of the best things we did, we made a drill template for the body mounting holes from the old to the new frame. The bolts dropped right in: drill templateyou will need to know where the frames are different: notice the differenceDon't be afraid to try something New, a 16"piece of square tubing welded to a Jack can extended its height for lifting. Be flexible and adapt to the changes, we had to move our stock motor mounting location back about 5 inches. And don't be held to a schedule, good luck with your project!
Last edited by Dogs51Burb; 06/04/2013 12:55 PM.
| | | | | Joined: Oct 2006 Posts: 843 Shop Shark | | Shop Shark Joined: Oct 2006 Posts: 843 | look at the heading"going back to stock ride height"in this section.A fellow wants to get rid of a modified frame.This may suit your needs. | | | | | Joined: Sep 2006 Posts: 2,393 Shop Shark | | Shop Shark Joined: Sep 2006 Posts: 2,393 | Over on www.hotrodinlines.com a fellow is putting a 1950 GMC suburban on a late model Trailblazer. Check the Assembly forum there. Might give you some thoughts on what is involved in the transplant you are considering.
Drew
| | | | | Joined: Jun 2009 Posts: 1,596 'Bolter | | 'Bolter Joined: Jun 2009 Posts: 1,596 | I'm not sure why you say the suburban would be easier than the S-10? The S-10 swap is very easy on the AD trucks, and you won't run into fender clearance issues. | | | | | Joined: Jun 2013 Posts: 38 Wrench Fetcher | | Wrench Fetcher Joined: Jun 2013 Posts: 38 | Shop Shark, I reason I think it might be easier is because the drive line and fuel system would already be there as well as some of the electronics/ECM. I don't think shortening the frame of the suburban would be that tuff. From what I see the track of the suburban is about 64" and the AD is about 61". I know the suburban frame is wider.
I haven't began the project yet so I am just looking at options.
Thanks to everyone that has responded
Ralph
All gave some - some gave all" -- A veteran is someone who, at one point in his life wrote a check made payable to the United States of America for an amount of "up to and including his life."
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