great white
Well-Known Member
Odd question to an idea that has been rolling around in my head lately and I probably already know the answer too:
Has anyone ever tried to graft a Kodiak/Topkick nose on to a GMT400?
I'm thinking a dually would be needed to round out the rear and the front clip would have to be extensively reworked to fit the fenders into the body lines. Are they fiberglass? I'm thinking I read they were.....easy as pie for me to rework that and no more rust.....maybe a bit less weight too, or at least the same as the GMT 400 front end......:???:
The mid 90's kodiak's were GMT 400 cabs which takes care of the nose to cab interface/fitting.
A bit of custom work with the lights would also be called for. Maybe graft the GMT 400 composite lights into the Kod/Top fenders......:???:
The grill opening would no longer be an issue for getting air in:
It's pretty much the whole front of the truck.
Bigger rad could also be installed. Probably have to add a bit of bracing for the rad support/inner fenders,
Would need a better way to get all that air out but I've already got a few things in the hopper for that.....
Custom bumper would also be needed.
That would sure solve a lot of problems I'm having with working out space issues and packaging in the nose of the truck.
Might look kinda "tough" too. It sure would be unique.
I think if done right, it would look much better that those kodiak/topkicks turned into pickups look:
(although the one above is particularly well done!)
Google doesn't turn up anything.
I'm going to have to find a Kod/Top to have a look up close (in person) and see what's going on in there.
I'm going to bang off a quick photochop later and see what it looks like.
I probably won't ever get past the "thinkin' about it" stage, but I think it'll at least be an interesting design exercise....
Has anyone ever tried to graft a Kodiak/Topkick nose on to a GMT400?
I'm thinking a dually would be needed to round out the rear and the front clip would have to be extensively reworked to fit the fenders into the body lines. Are they fiberglass? I'm thinking I read they were.....easy as pie for me to rework that and no more rust.....maybe a bit less weight too, or at least the same as the GMT 400 front end......:???:
The mid 90's kodiak's were GMT 400 cabs which takes care of the nose to cab interface/fitting.
A bit of custom work with the lights would also be called for. Maybe graft the GMT 400 composite lights into the Kod/Top fenders......:???:
The grill opening would no longer be an issue for getting air in:
It's pretty much the whole front of the truck.
Bigger rad could also be installed. Probably have to add a bit of bracing for the rad support/inner fenders,
Would need a better way to get all that air out but I've already got a few things in the hopper for that.....
Custom bumper would also be needed.
That would sure solve a lot of problems I'm having with working out space issues and packaging in the nose of the truck.
Might look kinda "tough" too. It sure would be unique.
I think if done right, it would look much better that those kodiak/topkicks turned into pickups look:
(although the one above is particularly well done!)
Google doesn't turn up anything.
I'm going to have to find a Kod/Top to have a look up close (in person) and see what's going on in there.
I'm going to bang off a quick photochop later and see what it looks like.
I probably won't ever get past the "thinkin' about it" stage, but I think it'll at least be an interesting design exercise....
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I keep looking at this mostly for the door handles but always wonder how hard it would be to make the hood fit 
