Short Box - Long Box Conversion

[icanfixit]

I have read where people will make a long box into a short box, but has anyone gone the other way? Take a short box sierra and put a long box on it?

 

Admittedly I have not researched this at all other then to do a few Google searches.

 

For example I have an '88 Sierra longbox. If I were to find a screamin' deal on a '94 Sierra, could I switch out the boxes.

 

Are the wheel bases the same?

 

I would assume I would have to extend the frame under the box.

 

Or am I just nuts to even think about this??

[ZZ327]

nope, it wont work. wheelbase is different and there isnt enough frame to make it work

[jrrod2004]

I dont think so because of the box on the 94 is short and the longbox would overhang the frame entirely. a good example of this would be the Extended Cab Regular Bed (6'5") and the Crew Cab Short Bed (5'8"). The wheel bases are the same, but the problem is the cab, where as the additional space in the CCSB is eaten up by the bigger cab, the ECRB is the same wheelbase but compromises interior space for the additional length of the bed out back. Your '94 deal would have to be a 'shorter' cab, to allow a longer bed, technically it would have to be double checked on the wheelbase. Think like this, shorter cab, longer the allowable box and vice versa

[Guest Riggs]

actually dodge did this

 

called the BFT

 

they took a mega cab and 8 foot box and put on a reg cab and a 10 foot box lol

[Zembonez]

Frame is completely different. Wheelbase is different too. Not a do-able project.

[icanfixit]

They are both extended cabs, so no go.

 

I was just thinkin' for a moment.....

 

Thanks for the replies!!!

[ZZ327]

you could buy one of those bed extenders, if they make one for the 88-98s

[iminaquagmire]

For both an 88 and 94 there are enough frames and components in the junkyards to switch everything over to any configuration you want. Pick up the correct frame and add your components to it.

[Tucson_02Silverado]

short or standard box on a long frame, maybe. mounting points would have to be checked if true bolt and drive application.

 

The problem with long box on a short or standard frame, the distance on the long box from the front of the box to the wheel wells is where the problem makes itself evident, too long.

[tobias]

Attempting this would probably be easier and safer.