Worth swapping rusted cab for junk yard one?

[Ski-me]

So I've done a lot of work on the drivetrain and interior....the outside rust has been an issue I've put off due to the skill level of welding/patch panels, etc.

I was combing the junkyard and found a decent K5 Jimmy that looked rust free. MUCH better than mine around wheel wells, rear pan and tailgate area, and also around doors.

Now, keeping my VIN is important and any critical stickers, etc.

Has anyone ever tackled a complete body swap? Are there other VIN locations on the cab besides the obvious dash location and stickers?

The drawback is that someone cut out the two back corners so that would need to be repaired...but much less rust overall!

My truck as it stands:

[Ski-me]

I'm thinking just the shell, not the doors or front fenders (I already have some front fenders from another donor).

[russgt]

Its illegal to swap vins.

That being said, repair your truck.
Will the junkyard sell the whole truck with title?

[Ski-me]

I do want to keep it legal though so it may be trying to patch things....just like the fact it looks so much more clean than mine. My other options is try to weld it myself. Just have never done any welding that would reall count.

I can certainly bring the large pieces to a body shop and have them do it.

[motornut]

Chop what you need/can from the truck.
even if you don't get it done all at once
but Vin swapping can cost you,more then it's worth.

[Ski-me]

Yea, changing VIN's in NOT what I want to do. I'll see how much they are going to charge me for all the pieces. Might try welding it myself...

Any opinion on a Hobart Welder? I was looking at a Handler 140 for $500.

[kevinr1970]

I would kill for that top... white, with the GMC SLE emblems, solid side glass (OEM privacy glass?). If it was smooth I would be severely bummed if it got crushed...
I am guessing it is a '91 with the power mirrors, does that thing have the shoulder belt mounts for the rear seats in on the top?

Originally Posted by Ski-me

[68Timber]

Looks like it might have the rear roll bar. On second look, that's the sun hitting the far side of the top.

[Ski-me]

Yea, it looks like a 90-91 era truck so I would guess it has the shoulder belt straps for the rear seat. The glass looks to be aftermarket tint, at least on one side anyways. If I get a chance today I'm going to run out and try to take off chunks of metal to do some of the rust repair.

Sentimental truck so VIN # and everything else is important to me.

The rear rollbar is in my existing truck. I found one a few years back and installed it back there. My wife said kids can't go in truck on highway unless we had a rollbar installed.

[special-K]

I wouldn't bother with that one since it needs quarter panels also. Rockers are easy to replace. Find a better rust free body or just have quarters and rockers put on yours

[Ski-me]

Got it to the shop and brought in some "cut sections" from donor truck for some rust repair. Going pretty well so far but did find more rust under driver's floor area. Apparently I have a leak somewhere leaking into the cab. Either the front windshield or maybe some gasket somewhere in firewall area.

I will have to get that fixed so it doesn't come back again...

[DBLSPRT68]

Lookin good!

[Ski-me]

Originally Posted by DBLSPRT68

Lookin good!

Interesting, we have similar vehicles.....

Had a 91' V1500 Suburban prior to the 2004 Yukon XL...