1st gen body on a 2nd Gen Frame

[BossHawg600]

Well after thinking things over, I was thinking the best thing for me to do is see if i can put my first gen body on a 2nd gen frame.

I got a D350 that Im turning into a pulling truck. I was going to swap everything from a 2nd gen 3500 to the 1st gen frame. But after thinking a bit, it might just be easier to put the 1st gen body ontop pf the 2nd gen frame. Reason being is it would be a TOn of work to get everything mounted i.e. tengine, transmission and transfer case. If I get a rolled or wrecked 3500, scrap the body and then use the bare frame that already has everytghing mounted up.

Im not really worried about drivetrain hitting the floor...its just a pulling truck, a hammer or a cutting tourch can fix that!!!

But how far off are all the mounting points for the body? Bed should be easy, its only 4 bolts! What about frame lenth? am i going to have extra lenth to worry about???

[PToombs]

Yup, IIRC, the 2nd gen is about a foot longer, or a little more. I saw a 1st gen body on a 2nd gen puller once. Guy had the stack in the gap between the cab and box. Looked ok.

As for mounting points, I think the 2nd gen has a wider frame spacing too.

[BossHawg600]

I think Ive seen a truck like that before too. I think Im going to try it anyway and see if I can space out the gap a bit, maybe try and leave a bit more out the back or something.

I know it might not work out perfectly, but it is just a pulling truck, so it doesnt have to be perfect. If i have to i would rather just make new body mounts then try and make mounts for all the 2nd gen 4wd stuff on the 1st gen 2wd frame!

[KTA]

Jeff Strothcamp out of Mo had a P-pumped 24V second gen running gear under a 1st gen frame. It had the stacks between the bed. It was a good running truck. Haven't seen it in a few years though? Don't know what happened to it. I would just get some extra bed panels and have someone turn the 8foot box into a 9ft box to make it look clean.

[BossHawg600]

I couldnt remember strothcamps name for the life of me. I havent heard of a pull from him since 08!!!

Heres the only video I can find..... http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=YFfXeSD46z8

Good running VP!!! And it doesnt look like there is much of a gap. I guess those are 6" stacks so its not too big of a gap....a LOT less than I thought it was!!

Now lets see if i can sell the wheels, tires and lift off the mega to pay for a DRW to put it on!!! Its kinda hard to tow with 36x15.5 tires!!!!

[dodge1stgen]

Did you ever get the 1st gen body on the second gen frame.Just picked up a 94 with a junk body,thought about swapping cabs instead of engine and trans.Thanks Eric

[randall488]

bump, im sure its a long shot but hoping for a response. having the same thoughts