The Stovebolt Site Forums The Shop Area The HiPo Shop AD truck on '97 suburban frame?????

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 RMR53144@aol.com

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.

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

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 template

you will need to know where the frames are different:
notice the difference

Don'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!

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.

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.

my father in law has a 53 on suburban chasis not sure what it was though. i think the frame is alot wider. he has a body lift to clear it.
https://plus.google.com/photos/1036...1739565890&oid=103651644171441676100

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.

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