Projects 50's Chevy Truck on 80's frame

Hello there, I came into a 1980 3/4 ton suburban with a 350 and TH400, 4x4. I bought it from a deceased friends family to help them out. I need a 3/4 ton tow rig and would like to put a 50's Chevy truck body on it. I have checked wheelbases and obviously the suburban has about 6" longer wheelbase. Is this a reasonable body swap or am I looking for trouble. I have done mulitple searches and keep finding finished swaps, but no build threads. Any help, ideas suggestions would be appreciated.

 

you probably arent going to find any help here because this is a pre-64 site.
Any frame swapping to a later truck is blasphemy around here, even though some people buy pre-fab frames for their hot rods. You could shorten the frame, but that is a pain in the arse.

 

Stretch the cab 6" and give some more leg room. Done deal.

 

put the running gear under the original 50s frame.

There is a build thread here somewhere about a guy putting a late 50s gmc cab on a later truck chassis. I don't recall any particulars that would help me search for it though.

 

80's 4x4 front axle is way too wide for the 47-55 if that's what you mean by 50's . Rear axle fits ok.Not sure about the fit under 55-60 Sheetmetal.
If you search here there's pages and pages of S-10 frame swap info.Maybe some of it will help you

 

Thanks for the info, I though the front axle was going to be too wide, I'll probably end up doing an early 70's. I just want to get a tow rig and avoid all of the smog stuff since it won't be used much and keep the 3/4 ton running gear with a classic look.