Body Swap

[partyncwby]

Howdy fellas, I have two Chevys. One is a 68 3/4 ton 4X4 four speed and the other is a 71 3/4 ton four speed 2wd. Well the 68 was beat like a red headed step child. The cab is just toast. The 71 is in really good shape, no dents, maybe two dings, maybe. What I want to do is stick the good body on the 4wd frame. I think I should be able to do this with out too much trouble, but I want to hear from the experts, you.

[OARNGESI]

I like the green one like it is it should pretty good as a 4x4 r u gonna keep the color

[toomanytoyz]

1st of all, Welcome from Indiana..............

Should not be Too Hard for what you want to do, Several Member's have done it. Would you be wantint to put the bed on also? Several Member's have done this & Grafted stepside fender's to the Fleet Bed to Cover the dually Rear............

If you are interested in that approach i will look up one of the Threads that has some detailed info on how to do this, Just le me Know............

Rick

[partyncwby]

The Green one is kinda special. I have the complete history on her. She was bought new in Feb 71 by Burlington Northern Railroad and delivered here in Spokane, Wa. I have the log book since new W/ all of the delivery paper work. Have the factory build sheet too. The man that purchased her worked for BN and did most of the driving too. He passed away and I bought it from his daughter. She has a 124,000 miles and a 307 w/ bad valve guides. $600 out the door.

[partyncwby]

No, she'll be put back to single wheel. I did toy with the idea of putting a flat bed on the back, but that fleet side is just so nice. Even has the original paint in the bed. I think it got used as a car.

[toomanytoyz]

Originally Posted by partyncwby

The Green one is kinda special. I have the complete history on her. She was bought new in Feb 71 by Burlington Northern Railroad and delivered here in Spokane, Wa. I have the log book since new W/ all of the delivery paper work. Have the factory build sheet too. The man that purchased her worked for BN and did most of the driving too. He passed away and I bought it from his daughter. She has a 124,000 miles and a 307 w/ bad valve guides. $600 out the door.

With that History , I would keep that Truck Stock & Look for other Body Part's for the 4x4...........

Rick

[partyncwby]

Yeah, I know. It's just the truck is not a good driver. It's got that spicer rear end w/4.56 gears and a 4 speed. No power steering, but the Kraco stereo works good.

[mr48chev]

I think the only area that you may have problems is with the floor board above the transfer case. Take a close look at the floor boards and see if there is a difference between them. You will have to use the piece that bolts in over the trans from the 4x so that the linkage will have the proper hole to come through.

To do it right when I was done and had it all running again I'd take the truck and both titles to the WSP inspection station and get it inspected and get squared away that way. It will take a bit of time and cost a few bucks but that way you will be square on the title if the need ever comes up.

Plan ahead and check to see if you need new cab and bed rubber mount pads so you can have them ready. That and a can or two of PB blaster and you are ready.
I'd take the bolts out of the cab and bed on the green one and maybe pull the front clip and then take the red one apart and do the swap. Two guys should be able to get it done in a day or a little longer if they are prepared.

By the way, welcome from another Washingtonian. I had to check Yahoo maps to find out where Edwall was.

[thelonerife]

as far as floor fitment I am not sure as I haven't had a 4x4. Look at my build thread below and see my oneman cab /bed lift. Makes it a lot easier. Rockrln sells plans so you can make one.

[partyncwby]

Well, both cabs are high hump cabs. I figure they ought to be pretty darn close. Before I do this I'm getting a new body mount kit, forty years of squished rubber should be just about shot. I have a couple cans of PB (the best) laying around but with new bolts in the kit, it's hard to beat using a hot wrench.

[Jtrux]

Go for it, it should be easy, and since both cabs are high hump that will make it that much easier. Let us know how it turns out.

[partyncwby]

Time to revive my old thread.

To catch up progress has been dead slow. Got the floor mat out of the green '71 and almost pooped myself.


Fixed the floor, found out that John Deere green is a perfect match for the paint. Pulled the 1974 350 four bolt outta the '68 and punched the block .040 over with flat tops and a RV cam.

Finally found a set of 1.94 valve heads that had the 75cc chambers. That way the CR would be about 9-1 and I could run pump gas no problem. Took them to the head shop for a rebuild and they were both cracked. Found another set, this time with another four bolt 350 and tranny for $125. Good heads, got them back from the head shop and on the engine.


Just got the new engine in the '68 frame today, I'm sooo close now.

[Captainfab]

Subscribing

[partyncwby]

So It's been awhile, Time for another spurt of ambition!

Couple pictures of the body swap.







Here's one with the old camper on it, seemed fitting.



So today I swapped out the old 4.56 geared closed knuckle drum braked Dana 44 for a 4.10 open knuckle disc braked 44. Installed power steering too. Buy Captainfab's adapter plate! It's so easy it's embarrassing. Tomorrow I'm getting brake lines made for the front, no one in town has the ones I need. Also swapping the rear axle for a Dana 60 with 4.10's from a 72 3/4 ton tomorrow and if things go well, maybe getting a start on the tranny/transfer swap too. Bye-bye screaming T-221! Hello super sexy 205!

[Captainfab]

Thanks for the props Luke

So the '71 came with a Eaton HO52?

[partyncwby]

Yeah, why you need a couple of them? I have two.

[Captainfab]

Not necessarily, I usually make trailer axles out of them. Was kind of hoping for a Dana 60 for the trailing arms, but then you'd probably be keeping that.
Looks like you got the truck rolled out of the shop?

Originally Posted by partyncwby

Yeah, why you need a couple of them? I have two.

[partyncwby]

Yep she's out, just not about. Still have to swap out the tranny/transfer and do drivelines. That may not happen till this weekend, we'll see.

[johnnywagon]

Luke, call me. I think I have the brake lines somewhere at the store...I think.

[partyncwby]

Had some made Monday at House of Hose. Had them make them 27" long so if I do put a 2" lift on they'll be long enough. Had to take one back though because they put the wrong end on and I didn't notice. They made it right though. I'm hoping to have it DONE by the end of this weekend.

[partyncwby]

Well, she runs, drives and pretty much everything else. Ended up getting a twin stick set up from JB fab for the new 205, it's sweet. It's got new meat on all four ends (got the front ones on today). The power steering gear box has a big problem trying to keep the fluid on the inside, I have another to stick on it to see if it's any better.

[Dieselwrencher]

Nice build! The truck turned out very nice!

[partyncwby]

It's been a lot of work and I'll never do it again. But she hums on down the hwy at 70, smooth as silk. The ride is great, no, really! A little after market cruise control and I'll be set.

[Captainfab]

Lookin good Luke

Could you have some air in your PS?