72 2wd burb onto late model 4wd chassis

[jmmm229]

i have a super clean 72 gmc 1/2 ton 2wd suburban, and am looking at buying an 04 chevy 1/2 ton 4wd pickup--rollover as a donor for a full frame and running gear swap. has anyone here done this swap? i can very well handle the job, i was just wondering if anyone can give me heads up.
oh, and also i could use either a full core support, or just the pass half due to battery acid corrosion. anybody know where i can get one?

[capev86]

just use the chassis bits and graft in the parts of the frame you need. stock frame fits that body, whereas the late model frame would require a lot of work. also, it would be cool if you could keep the trailing arm rear suspension and swap in the modern axle. be very interesting to see a modern 4x4 with independent front and trailing arm rear suspension....much prettier setup than leaf springs. bet you could adapt the modern sway bars too!

[jmmm229]

ive looked at doing this, also because i really would like to retain the stock trailing arm setup. however, the issues with the front drive and suspension assembly have far too many drawbacks i think. unless someone has done it that way and can give me some pointers, i am thinking a full frame swap will woork better. shortening the frame and changing body mounts looks to me like the lesser of two evils. this is something i am experienced with. not to mention leaving the electronics and fuel system alone. (kinda) i probably wont use stock bumpers, so mounting them wont be an issue. can anyone recommend someone to reprogram an ecm, or someone to help with that? what might i run into as far as electronics?