GQ body swap. Help a brother out!

[lachiek]

Hey all, my mate is soon selling his 4.2 turbo shorty which is an awesome truck from chassis/running gear down but has a rough as guts body on it.

I'm thinking about buying it and swapping the body from my tidy 2.8 onto the 4.2 chassis and vice versa.

I'm all over the legal issues / rego VIN transfer etc but what about the practical side of things?

Will the body bolt straight up to the new chassis? Am I going to need to do major panel beating to fit items like the larger radiator from the 4.2 etc?

Obviously there'll lots of plumbing changes for A/C and wiring the gauges but is there anything else I'm not thinking about?

Any advice appreciated.

Cheers, Lachie

[97_gq_lwb]

Why not just bolt the running gear into yours.
This might help http://www.nissanpatrol.com.au/forums/showthread.php?8171-rd28-to-td42-conversion-gq

[lachiek]

Yeah I'd already checked out your post - really helpful. A running gear swap is the other option, I guess I'm just interested to see what would be the easier approach? Making and welding plates etc as you describe would mean I need to get a mech involved whereas if its just lifting and rewiring I'm good to go.

Are you doing your swap yourself? Mind estimating the cost?

Cheers, Lachie

[97_gq_lwb]

Mine has been done for a long time did it all myself so their was no cost really just labour.

[nissannewby]

If yours is a LWB you wont be able to swap the bodies over cos the chassis are different between SWB and LWB. If they are both a SWB then its gonna be much of a muchness work wise either way you go

[lachiek]

Hey mate, yeah they are both SWB so all good there.

[MQ MAD]

Body swap fairly easy
All fuel lines ect are on the chassis,so no need to touch fuel system ect
Youll have to disconnect the brakes as the boosters are firewall mounted as is the clutch system
Unbolt the steering shaft at the box , leave all that in your body and reattach the shaft after the swap
You mite need some wiring alterations goin 2.8 to 4.2, but rip out all the wiring/dash ect from the 4.2 stuffed body ,then replug up
It can be as hard or as easy as you want,take your time and think it threw before you start
Body swap over a weekend is doable

There are other things to do a swap , but if thats the way you go,im sure others or myself could tell you other things involved

[lachiek]

Thanks MQ - really useful advice. Taking the 4.2 for a spin in the bush on the weekend so I can see if all the hype is worth it over the 2.8!