body swap question

[mprmn08]

I've got a 93 w250 with a pretty beat up body on it. I've also got a d150 gasser truck, same body style that is mint. will a 1/2 ton body bolt up just fine on my frame? also what year ranges for body parts work on our trucks? thanks

chris

[dazedandconfused]

Yes it will bolt up. 81-93 share the same body lines.

[Tacoclaw]

Since this is here, do the diesels use the same wiring bulkheads at the firewall, and do the dashboards bolt in?

As in, can a whole diesel wiring harness be swapped into a gasser body?

[dazedandconfused]

Yes they can! My 83 D150 has the entire dash and complete wiring harness out of my 93 D250 ext. Cab long bed donor truck.

[Tacoclaw]

Crap.

I had to borrow dad's 04 quad cab to take a camping trip this weekend. There just wasn't enough room for everything we needed to keep dry in my single cab... I've been looking at Ramchargers on Craigslist ever since I came back...

I was hoping for a reason to not spend any money.

[dazedandconfused]

I've been looking for a decent 2 wd ramcharger myself but can't find any.

[Tacoclaw]

Well...

I'd go with a 4x4 RC. I've never found a situation where I would rather have a 2wd truck. The old man's truck pulled 21mpg, so I figure a nice, light 4x4 RC oughta be able to pull that. We went 4-wheeler riding and with the random snowstorm that dumped on us while in PA this weekend, and the crappy-ass place we parked/camped at, I'm glad we had 4x4.

My only real decision is whether to make it an auto or a stick. I hate autos with a passion(an extreme passion), but the old lady refuses to even attempt to drive my truck. After driving 12 total hours this weekend I wouldn't mind someone else being able to drive a bit.

Maybe just keep a 2wd and a 4x4 Cummins frame around and swap the body for whatever the situation calls for.

[dazedandconfused]

I'm not a big 4x4 fan and all the ones I've found have been junk that kids have been four wheeling and beating off trees.

[Tacoclaw]

I don't mind dents, as long as it's not rusty. I told the missus if I went through with this there would be a good amount of money/time just spent on rust-proofing.

I hate rust.

[dazedandconfused]

I can fix dents and rust but want a decent platform. It's hard enough to find parts for these old girls.

[PToombs]

You need to beware on swapping if you have a stick truck. I put the 86 cab on my 92, and the wiring bulkhead was right where the clutch master needed to be. I cut the firewall piece out of the the 92 cab and welded it into the other one. Not really a bad job, just something else I didn't have time to monkey around with.

[Tacoclaw]

Whew, that might just be enough to make me rethink this. Thanks, Pete.

Well, that and the old man's face when I mentioned getting a Ramcharger to use as a traveling vehicle.