Frame swap questions?????????

bulltaurus · 11-01-2008, 03:44 AM

I have a 1986 Chevy Silverado full size regular cab 4x4 pickup. It does have an eight foot box. The truck has been wrecked and dogtracks pretty bad. I have the truck tore down to the frame and it is clearly been wrecked. I have access to a 1981 Suburban 4x4. Does anybody have an idea if the frame from the Suburban will work? Any input will be greatly appreciated. Thank you.

gmctrucks · 11-01-2008, 03:52 AM

Welcome and howdy from TEXAS. I'm sure it will work with the right torch and cutting tips really I don't know but wait around someone will chime in soon when they wake up.
Be good! GMC

bulltaurus · 11-01-2008, 04:02 AM

Thank you and hello from Michigan. Hows the weather down that way? I already know I will need a cutting torch handy. I hope you are just pulling my leg a little GMC. bulltaurus

gmctrucks · 11-01-2008, 05:48 AM

I am pulling your leg a bit but someone will chime in soon now on the weather over here it's 56' F in fact I have been having my windows open with some fans. Well I have my truck all loaded up going to see my best friend that lives in Hardin, Texas I stayed there when hurricane Ike came by here I was getting away from the storm surge of Clear Lake they were thinking that my area was going to be under water so I high tailed it thank god nothing happened but trees, fences, some roofs where messed up but were I went to the hurricane was worst over there it took a turn in the last hours that's mother nature for you but all was fine here's some pictures of what happen about 28 miles from my house.
Pictures people have sent me

leolkfrm · 11-01-2008, 06:14 AM

I would think you can get the proper frame from the recyclers, It would be a lot easier and you would not subject the frame to unnecessary heat.

bulltaurus · 11-01-2008, 07:17 AM

Yea, I know I could get the proper frame from the local recycle joint, the price is right on the one I have access to. Its free and its in my neighbor's back yard. What I was thinking leo, everything else from 71 to 87 is innerchangeable, why wouldn't the frame also work?

bulltaurus · 11-01-2008, 07:28 AM

The only heat it will be subject to is, when I cut out the old rivets. GMC might use a torch to do his thing, I use a plasma cutter. It cuts metal like hot butter and doesn't subject the metal to heat for very long.

75K30 · 11-01-2008, 08:30 AM

Model
CA107
CA109
CA209
CA210
CA310
CA314
KA107
KA109
KA209
CA105
KA105A
13-3/8
13-3/8
13-3/8
13-3/4
13-3/4
13-3/8
13-3/8
13-3/8
13-3/8
13-3/8
13-3/8
B
15-1/4
15-1/4
15-1/4
15-1/4
15-1/4
14-7/8
15-1/4
15-1/4
15-1/4
15-1/4
15-1/4C
16
16
17
16
16
16
17
17
17
17
17
D
19-7/8
19-7/8
19-7/8
18-1/2
18-1/2
18-1/2
19-7/8
19-7/8
19-7/8
19-7/8
19-7/8E
12
12
12
10
10
10
12-1/2
12-1/2
12-1/2
12
12-1/2F
13
13
13
13
13
13
13
13
13
13
13G
10
10
10
10
10
10
10
10
10
10
10H
14-7/8
14-7/8
14-7/8
14-1/4
14-1/4
14-1/4
14-7/8
14-7/8
14-7/8
---
---I
17-3/4
17-3/4
17-3/4
17-3/4
17-3/4
17-3/4
17-3/4
17-3/4
17-3/4
---
---J
17-3/4
17-3/4
17-3/4
17-3/4
17-3/4
17-3/4
17-3/4
17-3/4
17-3/4
14-1/14
14-1/4K
19-7/8
19-7/8
19-7/8
19-7/8
19-7/8
19-7/8
19-7/8
19-7/8
19-7/8
20
20L
16-3/4
16-3/4
16-3/4
---
---
---
16-3/4
16-3/4
16-3/4
17-3/4
17-3/4M
15-5/8
15-5/8
15-5/8
15-5/8
15-5/8
15-5/8
15-5/8
15-5/8
15-5/8
15-5/8
15-5/8 N
17-3/4
17-3/4
17-3/4
17-3/4
17-3/4
17-3/4
17-3/4
17-3/4
17-3/4
17-3/4
17-3/4P
69-5/8
69-5/8
69-5/8
69-5/8
69-5/8
69-5/8
69-5/8
69-5/8
69-5/8
69-5/8
69-5/8
R
76-1/2
86-1/2
86-1/2
105
105
129
76-1/2
86-1/2
86-1/2
46
46S
110
120
120
131
131
155-1/2
110
120
120
88
88

Model #NameCA107

CA109
CA209
CA210
CA310
CA314
KA107
KA109
KA209
CA105
KA105Short Bed C-10
Long Bed C-10
Long Bed C-20
Van - G-20
Van - G-30
Step Van P-30
Short Bed K-10
Long Bed K-10
Long Bed K-20
Blazer - 2wd
Blazer - 4wd

The wheelbase is off by only a couple of inches, but a couple of body mounts are also slightly different, as well as the lack of bed mounts. Guess all of these could be added. This may help with the dimensions to help straighten your frame.
Frames are straightened all of the time, and are much easier than trying to swap a completely different frame into another vehicle.
Drops and x-members will make mounting gas tanks and fillers a little difficult too. These small things can make this more work than it is worth.

bulltaurus · 11-01-2008, 10:08 PM

Wow, thank you for all the research 75k30. I don't really have the resources to invest into having the frame straightened. Thats why I was hoping to be able to make it work.

bulltaurus · 11-03-2008, 01:53 PM

Well fellas, I just finished tearing that suburban down to the frame, and for those of you that had your doubts about my situation, you were right on. The frames aren't even close. Looks like I will be looking around for a 4x4 frame from the local salvage yard. Thanks for all the input.

11-01-2008, 03:44 AM	#1
bulltaurus Full Member Join Date: Nov 2008 Posts: 12	Frame swap questions????????? I have a 1986 Chevy Silverado full size regular cab 4x4 pickup. It does have an eight foot box. The truck has been wrecked and dogtracks pretty bad. I have the truck tore down to the frame and it is clearly been wrecked. I have access to a 1981 Suburban 4x4. Does anybody have an idea if the frame from the Suburban will work? Any input will be greatly appreciated. Thank you.

11-01-2008, 06:14 AM	#5
leolkfrm Senior Member Join Date: Mar 2008 Location: N.Y. Posts: 1,456	I would think you can get the proper frame from the recyclers, It would be a lot easier and you would not subject the frame to unnecessary heat. __________________ 4 wheels move the body 2 wheels move the soul

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11-01-2008, 03:52 AM	#2
gmctrucks Senior Member Join Date: Nov 2006 Location: Houston,Texas Posts: 1,966	Welcome and howdy from TEXAS. I'm sure it will work with the right torch and cutting tips really I don't know but wait around someone will chime in soon when they wake up. Be good! GMC

11-01-2008, 04:02 AM	#3
bulltaurus Full Member Join Date: Nov 2008 Posts: 12	Thank you and hello from Michigan. Hows the weather down that way? I already know I will need a cutting torch handy. I hope you are just pulling my leg a little GMC. bulltaurus

11-01-2008, 05:48 AM	#4
gmctrucks Senior Member Join Date: Nov 2006 Location: Houston,Texas Posts: 1,966	I am pulling your leg a bit but someone will chime in soon now on the weather over here it's 56' F in fact I have been having my windows open with some fans. Well I have my truck all loaded up going to see my best friend that lives in Hardin, Texas I stayed there when hurricane Ike came by here I was getting away from the storm surge of Clear Lake they were thinking that my area was going to be under water so I high tailed it thank god nothing happened but trees, fences, some roofs where messed up but were I went to the hurricane was worst over there it took a turn in the last hours that's mother nature for you but all was fine here's some pictures of what happen about 28 miles from my house. Pictures people have sent me

11-01-2008, 07:17 AM	#6
bulltaurus Full Member Join Date: Nov 2008 Posts: 12	Yea, I know I could get the proper frame from the local recycle joint, the price is right on the one I have access to. Its free and its in my neighbor's back yard. What I was thinking leo, everything else from 71 to 87 is innerchangeable, why wouldn't the frame also work?

11-01-2008, 07:28 AM	#7
bulltaurus Full Member Join Date: Nov 2008 Posts: 12	The only heat it will be subject to is, when I cut out the old rivets. GMC might use a torch to do his thing, I use a plasma cutter. It cuts metal like hot butter and doesn't subject the metal to heat for very long.

11-01-2008, 08:30 AM	#8
75K30 Senior Member Join Date: Jul 2006 Posts: 2,628	Model CA107 CA109 CA209 CA210 CA310 CA314 KA107 KA109 KA209 CA105 KA105A 13-3/8 13-3/8 13-3/8 13-3/4 13-3/4 13-3/8 13-3/8 13-3/8 13-3/8 13-3/8 13-3/8 B 15-1/4 15-1/4 15-1/4 15-1/4 15-1/4 14-7/8 15-1/4 15-1/4 15-1/4 15-1/4 15-1/4C 16 16 17 16 16 16 17 17 17 17 17 D 19-7/8 19-7/8 19-7/8 18-1/2 18-1/2 18-1/2 19-7/8 19-7/8 19-7/8 19-7/8 19-7/8E 12 12 12 10 10 10 12-1/2 12-1/2 12-1/2 12 12-1/2F 13 13 13 13 13 13 13 13 13 13 13G 10 10 10 10 10 10 10 10 10 10 10H 14-7/8 14-7/8 14-7/8 14-1/4 14-1/4 14-1/4 14-7/8 14-7/8 14-7/8 --- ---I 17-3/4 17-3/4 17-3/4 17-3/4 17-3/4 17-3/4 17-3/4 17-3/4 17-3/4 --- ---J 17-3/4 17-3/4 17-3/4 17-3/4 17-3/4 17-3/4 17-3/4 17-3/4 17-3/4 14-1/14 14-1/4K 19-7/8 19-7/8 19-7/8 19-7/8 19-7/8 19-7/8 19-7/8 19-7/8 19-7/8 20 20L 16-3/4 16-3/4 16-3/4 --- --- --- 16-3/4 16-3/4 16-3/4 17-3/4 17-3/4M 15-5/8 15-5/8 15-5/8 15-5/8 15-5/8 15-5/8 15-5/8 15-5/8 15-5/8 15-5/8 15-5/8 N 17-3/4 17-3/4 17-3/4 17-3/4 17-3/4 17-3/4 17-3/4 17-3/4 17-3/4 17-3/4 17-3/4P 69-5/8 69-5/8 69-5/8 69-5/8 69-5/8 69-5/8 69-5/8 69-5/8 69-5/8 69-5/8 69-5/8 R 76-1/2 86-1/2 86-1/2 105 105 129 76-1/2 86-1/2 86-1/2 46 46S 110 120 120 131 131 155-1/2 110 120 120 88 88 Model #NameCA107 CA109 CA209 CA210 CA310 CA314 KA107 KA109 KA209 CA105 KA105Short Bed C-10 Long Bed C-10 Long Bed C-20 Van - G-20 Van - G-30 Step Van P-30 Short Bed K-10 Long Bed K-10 Long Bed K-20 Blazer - 2wd Blazer - 4wd The wheelbase is off by only a couple of inches, but a couple of body mounts are also slightly different, as well as the lack of bed mounts. Guess all of these could be added. This may help with the dimensions to help straighten your frame. Frames are straightened all of the time, and are much easier than trying to swap a completely different frame into another vehicle. Drops and x-members will make mounting gas tanks and fillers a little difficult too. These small things can make this more work than it is worth.

11-01-2008, 10:08 PM	#9
bulltaurus Full Member Join Date: Nov 2008 Posts: 12	Wow, thank you for all the research 75k30. I don't really have the resources to invest into having the frame straightened. Thats why I was hoping to be able to make it work.

11-03-2008, 01:53 PM	#10
bulltaurus Full Member Join Date: Nov 2008 Posts: 12	Well fellas, I just finished tearing that suburban down to the frame, and for those of you that had your doubts about my situation, you were right on. The frames aren't even close. Looks like I will be looking around for a 4x4 frame from the local salvage yard. Thanks for all the input.