1972 4X4 - body swap or not? - The 1947 - Present Chevrolet & GMC Truck Message Board Network

**JQ-72** · 12-26-2016, 12:21 AM

I just got this 72 4X4 in last week. 350, auto, rear A/C, tilt, posi and cruise control. It's from the mid-west and the body is toast! I bought it for the options and running gear. The P.O. took good care of the drivetrain and even kept receipts. Chevy only made a little over 2,000 4X4's, so I know she's worth trying to save. I've got a pretty nice 2wd I could use for a donor, but I don't want to kill it if it's that valuable. The 2wd is a 109K mile 3 owner truck that is loaded - 350, auto, rear A/C, tilt, tach, am/fm. What do you guys think?
Joshua

**JQ-72** · 12-26-2016, 12:23 AM

here's the 2wd

jrdv · 12-26-2016, 12:53 AM

Swap it. I don't see a problem. Plenty of 2x4's out there!

Bigdav160 · 12-26-2016, 09:00 AM

You should check with pdwcougar. He is doing the same swap.

**LockDoc** · 12-26-2016, 10:36 AM

-
They got a white one in over at the salvage yard by me a few years ago that looked just like that. I saved as many parts off of it as I could and they crushed it. The trouble is they are so rusty underneath that they are almost impossible to repair....

LockDoc

3drburb · 12-26-2016, 02:34 PM

I am guessing that the 4x4 will be better for you so, DO IT.
I hope the frame and suspension is in good shape.
You also get a chance to save spare parts for your driver and sell the rest.
Nice looking 2wd btw.

pwdcougar · 12-26-2016, 04:08 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Bigdav160

You should check with pdwcougar. He is doing the same swap.

Joshua it all depends on what you want. Do you want a 2WD or a 4WD? Are you building it for you or the next owner? As Dave says I'm doing the same kind of swap because I want a 4WD and I'm building it for me. The rust on your 4WD will kill you! The swap is pretty straight forward as the bodies are the same with the same frame mounting points.

Your 2WD body looks a lot nicer than mine!

Paul

**1968k20** · 12-26-2016, 08:05 PM

I would swap the 2wd onto the 4wd frame. I recently purchased a 1 owner 67 k20 with a wrecked body, and will be putting a good 2wd body on it. The po had already restored the chassis!

**1968k20** · 12-26-2016, 08:06 PM

Or, find another donor suburban with a good body and keep your 2wd intact!

**JQ-72** · 12-26-2016, 10:10 PM

Just going for the rarity of it. It will probably never really need to be in 4 wheel drive. The 4x4 frame does have some rust near the back but looks to be fixable. I guess I'm trying to decide which one will be more valuable and desirable.
JQ

3drburb · 12-27-2016, 04:47 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by JQ-72

Just going for the rarity of it. It will probably never really need to be in 4 wheel drive. The 4x4 frame does have some rust near the back but looks to be fixable. I guess I'm trying to decide which one will be more valuable and desirable.
JQ

Well that changes things. I waited for years to find an affordable 2wd and passed up on several 4x4's.
But this could start a whole other war on which one is more desirable than the other, but I would think that more 4x4 Suburbans and Blazers were converted to 2wd.

**1968k20** · 12-27-2016, 08:22 AM

Is your 4wd a half or three-quarter ton?

**JQ-72** · 12-27-2016, 10:53 AM

Both 1/2 tons

briank · 12-27-2016, 04:08 PM

Id swap the body. I dont forsee suburbans bringing more money because they're "numbers matching." Id swap it and enjoy the crap out of it.

**paul mora** · 12-29-2016, 11:48 AM

Do not destroy the nice blue one sell it to someone who is looking for a two wheel drive. In the cars for sale there is a body and frame for sale take a look at that one or shop for another body or sell them both and buy a 4wd if that is what you want to end up with. Could be a lot less work in the end and awash on the cost

12-26-2016, 12:21 AM	#1
JQ-72 Senior Member Join Date: Feb 2001 Location: Killen, Alabama USA Posts: 3,561	1972 4X4 - body swap or not? I just got this 72 4X4 in last week. 350, auto, rear A/C, tilt, posi and cruise control. It's from the mid-west and the body is toast! I bought it for the options and running gear. The P.O. took good care of the drivetrain and even kept receipts. Chevy only made a little over 2,000 4X4's, so I know she's worth trying to save. I've got a pretty nice 2wd I could use for a donor, but I don't want to kill it if it's that valuable. The 2wd is a 109K mile 3 owner truck that is loaded - 350, auto, rear A/C, tilt, tach, am/fm. What do you guys think? Joshua Attached Images __________________ 72 Cheyenne Super swb. Factory 402/400,tach,posi,AM/FM, A/C. Adding cruise, 8-track 72 Cheyenne Super swb. 350/350 A/C, bucket seats 72 Cheyenne swb. Factory 402/400, tilt, posi, A/C 72 Cheyenne Super K-10. 350/4 spd., posi. 72 Suburban 350/350 tilt, tach, AM/FM, A/C, luggage rack 72 GMC Sierra lwb. 350/350, A/C. medium green/olive interior

12-26-2016, 12:23 AM	#2
JQ-72 Senior Member Join Date: Feb 2001 Location: Killen, Alabama USA Posts: 3,561	Re: 1972 4X4 - body swap or not? here's the 2wd Attached Images __________________ 72 Cheyenne Super swb. Factory 402/400,tach,posi,AM/FM, A/C. Adding cruise, 8-track 72 Cheyenne Super swb. 350/350 A/C, bucket seats 72 Cheyenne swb. Factory 402/400, tilt, posi, A/C 72 Cheyenne Super K-10. 350/4 spd., posi. 72 Suburban 350/350 tilt, tach, AM/FM, A/C, luggage rack 72 GMC Sierra lwb. 350/350, A/C. medium green/olive interior

12-26-2016, 12:53 AM	#3
jrdv Registered User Join Date: Apr 2000 Location: new mexico Posts: 948	Re: 1972 4X4 - body swap or not? Swap it. I don't see a problem. Plenty of 2x4's out there! __________________ 1972 3/4T 4x4 Chevrolet (383) 1971 c-10 SWB (400 sb) 1972 4x4 Blazer 1969 SWB 4x4 GMC Projects: 1972 stepside 4x4 http://67-72chevytrucks.com/vboard/s...d.php?t=280132 http://67-72chevytrucks.com/vboard/s...d.php?t=285952 http://67-72chevytrucks.com/vboard/s...d.php?t=553672 http://67-72chevytrucks.com/vboard/s...d.php?t=522704

12-26-2016, 09:00 AM	#4
Bigdav160 Registered User Join Date: Apr 2011 Location: Klein Texas Posts: 3,852	Re: 1972 4X4 - body swap or not? You should check with pdwcougar. He is doing the same swap. __________________ My Classics: '72 K20 Suburban + '65 Dodge Town Wagon '72 Corvette Roadster +'67 Corvette Roadster '73 Z-28 Camaro '63 Ford SWB Uni Pickup '50 Ford Coupe

12-26-2016, 10:36 AM	#5
LockDoc The Older Generation Join Date: Aug 2006 Location: Montezuma, Iowa Posts: 25,370	Re: 1972 4X4 - body swap or not? - They got a white one in over at the salvage yard by me a few years ago that looked just like that. I saved as many parts off of it as I could and they crushed it. The trouble is they are so rusty underneath that they are almost impossible to repair.... LockDoc __________________ Leon Locksmith, Specializing In Antique Trucks, Automobiles, & Motorcycles (My Dually Pickup Project Thread) http://67-72chevytrucks.com/vboard/s...d.php?t=829820 -

12-26-2016, 02:34 PM	#6
3drburb Registered User Join Date: Jul 2011 Location: Kent, WA. Posts: 834	Re: 1972 4X4 - body swap or not? I am guessing that the 4x4 will be better for you so, DO IT. I hope the frame and suspension is in good shape. You also get a chance to save spare parts for your driver and sell the rest. Nice looking 2wd btw.

12-26-2016, 08:05 PM	#8
1968k20 Senior Member Join Date: Dec 2009 Location: Chester,California Posts: 5,618	Re: 1972 4X4 - body swap or not? I would swap the 2wd onto the 4wd frame. I recently purchased a 1 owner 67 k20 with a wrecked body, and will be putting a good 2wd body on it. The po had already restored the chassis! __________________ 1977 Chevrolet K10 SWB Project 350/4spd/np205 1977 Chevrolet K20 LWB 350/350/203 1991 4Runner 22RE 5 SPD Yanmar Tractor 3 Cyl Diesel

12-26-2016, 08:06 PM	#9
1968k20 Senior Member Join Date: Dec 2009 Location: Chester,California Posts: 5,618	Re: 1972 4X4 - body swap or not? Or, find another donor suburban with a good body and keep your 2wd intact! __________________ 1977 Chevrolet K10 SWB Project 350/4spd/np205 1977 Chevrolet K20 LWB 350/350/203 1991 4Runner 22RE 5 SPD Yanmar Tractor 3 Cyl Diesel

12-26-2016, 10:10 PM	#10
JQ-72 Senior Member Join Date: Feb 2001 Location: Killen, Alabama USA Posts: 3,561	Re: 1972 4X4 - body swap or not? Just going for the rarity of it. It will probably never really need to be in 4 wheel drive. The 4x4 frame does have some rust near the back but looks to be fixable. I guess I'm trying to decide which one will be more valuable and desirable. JQ __________________ 72 Cheyenne Super swb. Factory 402/400,tach,posi,AM/FM, A/C. Adding cruise, 8-track 72 Cheyenne Super swb. 350/350 A/C, bucket seats 72 Cheyenne swb. Factory 402/400, tilt, posi, A/C 72 Cheyenne Super K-10. 350/4 spd., posi. 72 Suburban 350/350 tilt, tach, AM/FM, A/C, luggage rack 72 GMC Sierra lwb. 350/350, A/C. medium green/olive interior

12-27-2016, 08:22 AM	#12
1968k20 Senior Member Join Date: Dec 2009 Location: Chester,California Posts: 5,618	Re: 1972 4X4 - body swap or not? Is your 4wd a half or three-quarter ton? __________________ 1977 Chevrolet K10 SWB Project 350/4spd/np205 1977 Chevrolet K20 LWB 350/350/203 1991 4Runner 22RE 5 SPD Yanmar Tractor 3 Cyl Diesel

12-27-2016, 10:53 AM	#13
JQ-72 Senior Member Join Date: Feb 2001 Location: Killen, Alabama USA Posts: 3,561	Re: 1972 4X4 - body swap or not? Both 1/2 tons __________________ 72 Cheyenne Super swb. Factory 402/400,tach,posi,AM/FM, A/C. Adding cruise, 8-track 72 Cheyenne Super swb. 350/350 A/C, bucket seats 72 Cheyenne swb. Factory 402/400, tilt, posi, A/C 72 Cheyenne Super K-10. 350/4 spd., posi. 72 Suburban 350/350 tilt, tach, AM/FM, A/C, luggage rack 72 GMC Sierra lwb. 350/350, A/C. medium green/olive interior

12-27-2016, 04:08 PM	#14
briank Registered User Join Date: Sep 2011 Location: Leland, Il Posts: 1,503	Re: 1972 4X4 - body swap or not? Id swap the body. I dont forsee suburbans bringing more money because they're "numbers matching." Id swap it and enjoy the crap out of it.

12-29-2016, 11:48 AM	#15
paul mora Senior Member Join Date: Jan 2009 Location: huntington beach california Posts: 976	Re: 1972 4X4 - body swap or not? Do not destroy the nice blue one sell it to someone who is looking for a two wheel drive. In the cars for sale there is a body and frame for sale take a look at that one or shop for another body or sell them both and buy a 4wd if that is what you want to end up with. Could be a lot less work in the end and awash on the cost __________________ Pulatoy



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