Frame swap

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Flyboy367

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Don
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1986
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C20
Engine Size
350
so I had an idea the other day. I was working on my girlfriends explorer and it has the 8.8 independent rear setup. I need to shorten the frame on my c20 for an older style stepside and charge the rear as it it. Someone in town is selling the same explorer with a blown trans and new tires. Its about 4 1/4 inches difference in wheelbase. Im thinking of buying it for the modern suspention front and rear, its sits lower then my truck now, and it has the 8.8
How crazy am I for thinking of taking what I might need for my girlfriends explorer and using the rest to fit my truck on and squeeze a 350 and probably a nv3500 in?
 

fast68chevy

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RANDY
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1975
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350
why? whats wrong with a 70s C20 stock? sounds like you like ford explorers more than 70-s chevy trucks,, hmm.. it wouldnt be a 70s chevy truck any more, and it would be anightmare to do and never get finished probly and another good truck wasted. hmmm imho. good luck
 

Flyboy367

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Because technology changes. The only thing I like about that ford is the independent rear suspention on a stout gearset. Instead of purchasing and fabricating parts to lower the truck and change the suspention.
 

Salty Crusty

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c1500
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The IRS ain't a bolt-in deal and CV axles aren't going to be nearly as strong as a straight/live axle.

Scrap yards are full of projects that never made over a major fabrication obstacle.
 

Scott91370

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Sierra1500
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350
Yeah, if you were just swapping the axle it would be worth it but trying to change to IRS is a whole new ball game and I'll be the guy that says it: If you're asking about it then I don't think you'll be up for the task.

I'm not saying you're not mechanically inclined just that this is a bigger project than you're expecting.
I wouldn't try it and I'd rig just about anything up just because.
 

Salty Crusty

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When I build my Factory Five Cobra, I'll order the newest one that's set up for the IRS Buttstain setup. They have made alterations and have jigged it up so it's a bolt-in deal.
Ford guys will like that.
They won't care much for the LS7 under the hood, though!
 

AuroraGirl

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i think it would be cooler to put an ls7 in a model t chassis, more for the extreme edge thrill than the performance aspect
 

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