are the frames the same from the 98' 1500 and 2500 4x4 trucks? I am looking to do a quad cab swap on my truck and would like to just swap drivetrain and engines. The donor truck is quad cab 1500 4x4 gasser. I know there will be more things to consider, but this would be my start. "more projects makes mike happy"

 

Good question. I have often wondered doing this myself. I just passed up a deal on a really nice quad cab 1500 for $1500. Looking forward to opinions.

 

nothing? I cant believe no one knows this answer. I guess I will have to do some research.

 

A ruler will answer your question. I have a 67 Chev hobby pickup. It started life as a C20. When I bought headers for it I had to notch the frame to give them clearence. I'm guessing the frames are different, the 1500 being smaller. The front end components will be lighter duty as well, ruling out a heavy Cummins. I would think that swapping the cab would be a lot less work than a drivetrain anyway.

 

Not 100percent sure, but I believe the frames are the same but the suspension parts are where the difference comes in.

 

I was talking to a guy last night that own an 03 gasser 1500 and he told me that the frame on 1500 and 2500 are the same. The difference is the suspension and the brakes. They would need to be beefed up to take the weigth of the engine and xtra weight of the truck (especially if pulling is involved).

 

The body mounts should all be in the same places if the configurations are the same i.e. club cab short bed, quad cab shortbed etc. Park 'em side by each and get out a tape measure to be sure.

Kurt

 

Here is my proposed three way swap, A 2500 gasser ext cab truck 4x4 same set up as my 98' except for gas, bad body. Ext cab 1500 gasser. great body.(havent purchased yet, have to be sure this is feasable) And my 98' listed in my sig for the drivetrain. I want a cheap ext cab and I already have two of the three. I can get a good body 1500 with bad motor or trans ect, for dirt cheap just about anywhere. My 98' is a standard cab. I will take the donor body put it on the 2500 gasser frame, then pull the entire drivetrain from my 98 and install. Should all fit if the frames are the same. As far as beefier springs and such, they are coming from my 98' so there should be no problem there. may have some driveshaft issues, but nothing serious I hope. I cant compare the two because I dont want to purchase the 1500 unless I know this will work. mamma is already on me cause I have too many trucks. By the way this will be a work truck. But i like how my current truck eats ford and sh**s chevy.

 

interesting so if I beefed up the front end of my 2000 1500 gas I could in theory move the engine and tranny from my '99 2500.. of course the rest of the drive train would have to follow. i don't think the 1500 rear end would take the torque of the diesel..

my only problem would be I come to like the longer bed..the '00 is a short bed. the '99 is a long bed.. i just might have to keep the '00..

-dkenny

 

It cant be that easy. if it was everyone would be doing it and this would be a common thread. I believe there is a difference in frames. I am just looking for clarification.

 

I was looking to put 91 d350 diesel drivetrain with an unboxed frame into my 96 ram with a boxed frame. All drivetrain would be swapped.

 

I would be very surprised if they would use a big heavy 3/4 ton frame on a half ton. I'm sure they'd be different. You should easily be able to measure the difference if you had both handy to compare.