I bought a 2012 4x4 Z71 Colorado crew cab with the 5.3 and I'd like to replace the frame. So far (in about 6 months) I have not been able to find a replacement Z71 frame but I have found Z85 frames. I've seen a few threads about the differences between the two frames but have not found anything definitive as to whether they can be swapped for each other. Does anyone know if they can be swapped? Or what would need to be done to make the Z85 frame work with the Z71 suspension/running gear? How about an expert resource to find the answers about this? I'm getting desperate here! This is the only thing preventing me from finally getting to drive one of my dream trucks! Please help! Thanks!
Z85 frame swap for Z71 frame?
OneT's53
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I bought a 2012 4x4 Z71 Colorado crew cab with the 5.3 and I'd like to replace the frame. So far (in about 6 months) I have not been able to find a replacement Z71 frame but I have found Z85 frames. I've seen a few threads about the differences between the two frames but have not found anything definitive as to whether they can be swapped for each other. Does anyone know if they can be swapped? Or what would need to be done to make the Z85 frame work with the Z71 suspension/running gear? How about an expert resource to find the answers about this? I'm getting desperate here! This is the only thing preventing me from finally getting to drive one of my dream trucks! Please help! Thanks!
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5,518 Posts
Two completely different frames, suspension wise. You would have to change all the control arm mounts, the Z85 is set up for struts up front and the adjustments and mounts for the control arms are different. There is no torsion bar crossmember in the Z85 truck either, so you would have to engineer that to run Z71 running gear. All 4X4 trucks were Torsion bar and all 2wd Z71's were torsion bar. And, like was previously said, you need a 2009 to 2012 year model frame since those are the years that came with the 5.3 V8.
Thanks for the info! Curious though, you say "There is no torsion bar crossmember in the Z85 truck" but "All 4X4 trucks were Torsion bar"? So does that mean a 4x4 Z85 has torsion bars but no torsion bar crossmember? Do you know where I could get some official literature on the differences between the frames? Thanks again for the help!
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5,518 Posts
Z85 and Z71 denote a suspension type, not the truck itself. I do not know for sure what the 4x4 suspension moniker is, never needed to know. it is a torsion bar truck. If it has torsion bars it has a torsion bar crossmember. Use the search feature of this forum, you will find thousands of different threads discussing the suspensions of these trucks. If the truck has a Z85 suspension, it has coil springs/struts up front. All others have torsion bars and torsion bar crossmembers.
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This may be helpful. It outlines dimensions for the different colorado/canyon frames. Note that ALL Z71 (including 2wd) trucks are front torsion bar suspension. 2wd Z85 and 2wd ZQ8 trucks are the only two types with coil springs in the front. So I guess the first step is to look through this to figure out what chassis number you have, then see what other trucks used the same chassis.
Awesome thanks!
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Where are you located?
So here is another option I've been thinking about. Since I can't find a V8 frame what about using an I5 frame from 09-12 with engine mounts that will convert it to the V8? Based on the linked document above it looks like all the dimensions are the same regardless of engine as long as it's from a crew cab Z71 4wd. I just don't know if the suspension mounting points and maybe steering are the same between the V8 and I5. Any thoughts?
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