Hmmm ... I guess finding a new one in that price range would be more agreeable than paying those kind of prices for the repair. I didn't think it would be cost that much. The only sentimental value I have with the truck is just that it's my first truck and I've only had it 2 years. I also just recently installed new rotors & pads, a new alternator, bought other parts for other jobs, so that kind of stings too.

 

Don't panic, shop around and see what they say. This is pure mechanical work, so you do not have to necessarily use a body shop. If they are too expensive, maybe there is someone you trust who could do it unofficially. If they have a car lift with the two arms that swing in, they could do it easily.

The hardest part of this job is going to be getting the body mounts loose. They will most likely have to be torched out and a new body mount kit purchased.

 

There was a guy who did a frame and body swap and posted it here. Think he used rafters to lift and hang the body from the frame. Roll out the old, swap axles and steering, suspension if you have to but I think he rolled in frame and axles together. Man that job went amazingly fast for that knowledgeable DIY group.

 

The only time I used the rafters was for the bed when building it and when painting to hang parts from.
Think I still have straps on them 5 years later LOL

For the frame I did have the front suspension installed after painting but not the rear axle as it would not clear the horses I had supporting the cab.
Once the frame was past the cab horses I installed the rear axle.

I will say start spraying the cab, bed and radiator support bolts now and re-spray every few days.
I was lucky as all of the bolts on both trucks came off. May of had a little issues with a radiator support bolts as it has been a while since I did this.

As for a shop to swap frames dont over look trade schools.
Again having 2 trucks side by side would be nice but if you can get just a frame then that is what they get to work with.
If you did get a 2nd truck once yours is together and running give the school the left over parts.
If they have a welding class that class can learn to repair the frame.
If the motor needs to be rebuilt that class can learn on it same for the trans & rear axle.
Body shop class can do body work on it, repair rust, dents, etc. and paint it.
When done the school would have a nice running truck to get parts or what ever.

I went to a trade / high school and we had people donate cars so we could learn on but people also brought them in for us to fix.
It could be brake job, tune up, motor or trans swap.
I even did a few valve jobs and front end rebuilds.
Dave ----

 

Where there's a will there's a way. The post I'm referring to they weren't hanging from rafters per se, it was more like high trusses on an agricultural building. So plenty of extra strength for the lift and hang.

 

I always vote to save what you can save. I love keeping old vehicles on the road. However sometimes the cost and time to rebuild outweighs the sentimental value. I've had to make decisions in the past that I hated, but saved me lots of money towards a better vehicle to start a project with. I would start with the non rotted out frame and see where you can get before you spend your budget on trying to save what can not be saved.