So I've got a couple 2nd gen trucks I want to make 1 good truck out of the 2. 1st truck is a 98 1500 extended cab shot bed 2wd with a bad transmission but good body clean interior. 2nd truck is a 96 2500 standard cab long bed 4x4 destroyed interior and body. You can probably see where I'm going here haha, my question is would it be possible to take the body from the 1500 and put it on the 2500 frame? I know it will show up as the 1500 on paper but it's ok I'm not planning on selling it its going to be my work truck.

I know I'll probably have to move body mounts ect I'm more worried about frame length and wheelbase I'm not confident enough to go frame cutting lol

 

Do they have the same length beds? Wheel base the same? I think if you put the bed and cab from the regular cab truck on the extended cab chassis, the fuel filler may not line up. You will definitely probably have to fab body mounts.

 

I thought the frames were different from regular cab to extended cab. Where the frame "S" bend behind the cab is in a different spot.

 

No the single cab has a 8 foot bed and the extended cab is a 6 foot bed

 

I'm not sure on that I haven't taken them apart yet

 

Frames are different. The extended cab won't bolt onto the regular cab frame. At least, not without extensive modification. Would be easier to just move the drivetrain components over to the 96 chassis.

 

i am a auto body frame tech. the problem is i don't know dodge frame specifics. if this were a ford ranger i would tell you your idea definitely will NOT work.

i would ASSuME there will be significant differences between the frames just like a ranger. i will list the reasons why below.

the frames should be different between extended cabs and standard cabs. the mounts where the cab bolts to will be welded in different locations.
the holes where the box bolts to should be in different locations between a long box and a short box.
where and how the front suspension and transfer case bolts to should be different between a 2WD frame and a 4WD frame.


the only way to find out is take a tape measure with a friend and start comparison measuring mount points between the two frames to find out.
better yet go to ebay and buy a cheap tram gauge, there are several under $200, for more accurate measurements. i would start with using the front cab mount point for a "0" line. the front cab mount point should be in the same location on all type of cabs and 2wd and 4wd frames. make all comparison measurements from the front cab mount location.
good luck.

 

Here is a diagram of the frame, The difference is where the rear cab mount is "A"