Suburban vs Longbed Frame - The 1947 - Present Chevrolet & GMC Truck Message Board Network

**special-K** · 09-04-2020, 08:52 AM

I haven't looked into this at all, yet, but thought maybe someone here would know if they are as comparable as I assume they are. I guess first question is wheelbase same or how different? What I am wondering about is if I could put a C3500 body on a K2500 Suburban frame. I know the body mounts will vary.

I found a rustfree '93 C3500 that came with a 6.5TD/4L80E. It was wrecked on the front left and the frame horn is bent. It only has the right fender and inner in place and motor/trans are gone.

I have a '95 K2500 Suburban with 350/4L80E, a clean frame, good front clip, and since I saw this wrecked truck for $600 it has me thinking. My Suburban has a crunched left rear quarter and the (sagging) driver door was damaged, fixed with a lot of bondo that has been messed up since I bought it. The dash is all messed up from the police equipment being cannibalized out of it. It also has a cracked windshield. None of this is all that bad, and I do like having a Suburban. I might try to find a nicer (fancier) cleaner Suburban to take it's place, then sacrifice the one I have for the truck. I'd like to buy the truck, either way, if not just for the rustfree cab, doors, bed, fender, and full-floater.

b454rat · 09-04-2020, 10:36 AM

Dunno where I read the build from, but someone was trying this very thing. Iirc the wheelbase is in between the burb n RCLB. Or if putting a flatbed on it wouldn’t really matter too much.

Tom · 09-04-2020, 05:46 PM

Everyone says you can't make/weld the cab and bed of a truck one piece because of twisting and what not. So something must be different for suburbans to be one piece and not flex to pieces.

**special-K** · 09-04-2020, 06:40 PM

I think the difference there is the full top and pillars giving the body united strength. Also, there are doors to take up flex compared to a single slab from back of doors to tail end.

I've been told in the past that the vans use a Suburban chassis. I just remembered that. I wonder if there is truth in that. The conversation was over 4wd vans.

As far as wheelbase, I can look that up... Ok, just did. They are both 131.5". Vans are 135" and 155"It would be cool to have a pickup with the Suburban extra capacity fuel tank and skid plate, eliminate the truck tank, and run true dual exhaust, like you can on a Suburban

09-04-2020, 08:52 AM	#1
special-K Special Order Join Date: Nov 2004 Location: Mt Airy, MD Posts: 85,862	Suburban vs Longbed Frame I haven't looked into this at all, yet, but thought maybe someone here would know if they are as comparable as I assume they are. I guess first question is wheelbase same or how different? What I am wondering about is if I could put a C3500 body on a K2500 Suburban frame. I know the body mounts will vary. I found a rustfree '93 C3500 that came with a 6.5TD/4L80E. It was wrecked on the front left and the frame horn is bent. It only has the right fender and inner in place and motor/trans are gone. I have a '95 K2500 Suburban with 350/4L80E, a clean frame, good front clip, and since I saw this wrecked truck for $600 it has me thinking. My Suburban has a crunched left rear quarter and the (sagging) driver door was damaged, fixed with a lot of bondo that has been messed up since I bought it. The dash is all messed up from the police equipment being cannibalized out of it. It also has a cracked windshield. None of this is all that bad, and I do like having a Suburban. I might try to find a nicer (fancier) cleaner Suburban to take it's place, then sacrifice the one I have for the truck. I'd like to buy the truck, either way, if not just for the rustfree cab, doors, bed, fender, and full-floater. __________________ "BUILDING A BETTER WAY TO SERVE THE USA"......67/72......"The New Breed" GMC '67 C1500 Wideside Super Custom SWB: 327/M22/3.42 posi.........."The '67" (project) GMC '72 K2500 Wideside Sierra Custom Camper: 350/TH350/4.10 Power-Lok..."The '72" (rolling) Tim "Don't call me a redneck. I'm a rough cut country gentleman" R.I.P. ~ East Side Low Life ~ El Jay ~ 72BLUZ ~ Fasteddie69 ~ Ron586 ~ 67ChevyRedneck ~ Grumpy Old Man ~

09-04-2020, 10:36 AM	#2
b454rat Senior Member Join Date: May 2004 Location: Binghamton, NY Posts: 3,453	Re: Suburban vs Longbed Frame Dunno where I read the build from, but someone was trying this very thing. Iirc the wheelbase is in between the burb n RCLB. Or if putting a flatbed on it wouldn’t really matter too much.

09-04-2020, 05:46 PM	#3
Tom driving is in my blood Join Date: Dec 1999 Location: Mesa AZ Posts: 5,690	Re: Suburban vs Longbed Frame Everyone says you can't make/weld the cab and bed of a truck one piece because of twisting and what not. So something must be different for suburbans to be one piece and not flex to pieces. __________________ -78 c10 short/step: 388cid, M20, 5/5 drop, lots more. Playtoy and first vehicle. -98 c1500 x-cab: 5.7L, 17" rims, 5/6 drop, flowmaster, helper bags,NBS rear disk brakes. -02 Suburban 4x4: leveled front -CBR600F4i, CBR600RR, CBR1000RR, and standup skis DISCLAIMER: I cant spell for the life of me.

09-04-2020, 06:40 PM	#4
special-K Special Order Join Date: Nov 2004 Location: Mt Airy, MD Posts: 85,862	Re: Suburban vs Longbed Frame I think the difference there is the full top and pillars giving the body united strength. Also, there are doors to take up flex compared to a single slab from back of doors to tail end. I've been told in the past that the vans use a Suburban chassis. I just remembered that. I wonder if there is truth in that. The conversation was over 4wd vans. As far as wheelbase, I can look that up... Ok, just did. They are both 131.5". Vans are 135" and 155"It would be cool to have a pickup with the Suburban extra capacity fuel tank and skid plate, eliminate the truck tank, and run true dual exhaust, like you can on a Suburban __________________ "BUILDING A BETTER WAY TO SERVE THE USA"......67/72......"The New Breed" GMC '67 C1500 Wideside Super Custom SWB: 327/M22/3.42 posi.........."The '67" (project) GMC '72 K2500 Wideside Sierra Custom Camper: 350/TH350/4.10 Power-Lok..."The '72" (rolling) Tim "Don't call me a redneck. I'm a rough cut country gentleman" R.I.P. ~ East Side Low Life ~ El Jay ~ 72BLUZ ~ Fasteddie69 ~ Ron586 ~ 67ChevyRedneck ~ Grumpy Old Man ~



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