Square Body gmc 4x4 swap part 1

Picking up and prepping pieces for my square body 4x4swap. I’m turning my 1988 c30 3500 into a k30. More to come!

[@maniacaloffroad5338]

I envy you this project. I get so bored during the winter months here in Michigan. My budget doesn't allow for fun projects like this anymore.

[@PerrybuiltPerformance]

Just wanted to say thanks for these videos! Probably one of the only reasons I took the plunge to swap my 87 r20 to 4x4. Pulled out the 5.3/4l80 and putting in a 6.2/6l80 and 4x4

[@redeyecafegarage7484]

You’re welcome! That was my hope when I made them. Thanks for watching and commenting!

[@DudesWithWrenches]

Yep best way to remove anything is fire great video

[@curvs4me]

Acetylene torch will blow them off without even marking the metal behind it as well. It works really well because the metal is separate. So you can heat the nut, bolt, or rivet to melting and it won't transfer to the adjacent steel easily. Just a tip, an oxy acetylene torch is priceless in a shop. You can always, 100% of the time remove a seized nut or bolt with the torch. Sometimes a propane torch and more often a mapp gas will work. They take much longer and sometimes it affects things around it because of the time you have to hold the heat on or repeat after failure. Watching this is starting to freak me out. Those old frames are so small!! I want to use mine for 5th wheel car hauler but now I'm thinking about getting a 2000 and up 3500 frame and making body lift pucks and making my own mounts to line it up. Now I know why my 85 was so good at wheeling, the frame followed the contour of the earth 🤭

[@pimpnick4920]

I use the liquid speed wrench all the time.

[@187manowar]

I was exhausted just watching it. You have way more ambition than I do. Nice work.

[@redeyecafegarage7484]

It took a lot of will power to get out there and do it. Haha! I wanted to just sit by the fire. Haha

[@MrSilverado1982]

Damn dude everything I would have done to that truck! Awesome glad someone is treating it right! Still cant wait to see what you do with it.

[@redeyecafegarage7484]

Thanks man! I think it will be a sweet truck when it’s all said and done.

[@chdecoys]

That frame was a find. The springs will be handy for set up, but I think that 12v will flatten them out. Great to follow along

[@redeyecafegarage7484]

Haha yeha they will probably be upside down! 😆 I have some nice 1900# springs in my cart but now I can wait until I have everything setup with these before I spend any money.

[@geoffreyclark2805]

Nice project,also great parts find.

[@redeyecafegarage7484]

Thank you! 👍

[@williamhouk6880]

All it takes to remove those rivets is a good chisel and a heavy hammer. Don't forget to wear safety glasses! A few cracks with a hammer and their off then take a punch and drive them out of the frame. Just don't smack your hand with that hammer!You can try holding the chisel or punch with a pair of Vice Grips to protect your hand.

[@redeyecafegarage7484]

There are many ways to do it. I’ll stick to my way and keep all My fingers where they belong 😆

[@erikhefflefinger9460]

I know this is an older video, but I was wondering. Would it be possible/safe to just swap the front end of the frame, rathe then trying to swap all the parts?

[@redeyecafegarage7484]

I believe you will quickly find out just how much work a properly done frame graft actually is. The method I used can be done in a day once you have all the parts prepped.

[@jacqueslecerf2424]

Good day, I have a 77 GMC camper special 2wd, my plan is to make this a 4wd. From my research on KZbin it seems that most people do the conversions by doing tons of fabrication and frame modifications. My question is this, why do people not do body swaps instead? With swapping the body on a 4x4 chassis a person only needs to modify the trans tunnel in the cab (or install a 2 inch body lift). Am I wrong with my thought process?

[@redeyecafegarage7484]

You could do a body swap…. But in my Opinion this is way easier. I didn’t have any real fabrication to do. Just drilling rivots and bolting brackets on. I didn’t modify the tunnel or cab at all to fit the 4x4 drivetrain. Most of the 4x4 chassis around here are complete rust buckets too. But there’s definitely more than one way to skin a cat. This was the way I chose and I would 100% do it again. 👍

[@benhinrichs9262]

Are the brackets from a k30 frame?

[@redeyecafegarage7484]

No, they are all the same from k10/20/30. The 1-ton frame itself but the brackets are all the same. 👍

[@paytonacevedo2809]

Do you know if it would be possible to 4x4 swap with engine still in?

[@tjbailey9287]

Be careful dad momma get you