Hi everyone,
I own a 1979 4x4 short bed with 37,000 original miles on the odometer, that is sadly rotted beyond repair. The truck was a parking lot plow truck from 1982 to 2005, which explains the low mileage. After 36 years the truck is 100% stock with all of the original parts.
At this point my goal is to find a rust free short bed 4x4 frame and cab/bed, and drop as many of my original parts in the "new" frame and body. Anyone know of a good body and frame?
I would like to remove everything from my truck and cut up the hulk of rust that is the frame and cab. I need some help in terms of removing the engine, trans, and t case. I have no real idea where to start. Is there a guide to help me? I have no fear of using the sawzall I just want to preserve the as much of the truck as possible. Anything else that I should ensure that I liberate from the truck before I return the rotted metal to the earth?

Thanks,
Zack

 

Might be best not to break it up until you're ready to put the drivetrain into something else, especially if you're not dead familiar with these trucks.

Boxes of parts and an engine and tranny on a pallet are not optimal.

Get serious with your transplant truck search and only handle your low mileage parts once.

 

Your location would help. I come across a frames occasionally. I had a long bed frame not long ago. Run a Craigslist ad. I can help with steps on doing a frame swap once you find one. They are not bad to do at all.

I would suggest you keep the truck all together in one piece until you actually start the swap. This is your first time and the questions you are asking, you are going to have 100s of parts that are laying around and you are not going to know how they go back.