I have built a couple of jeeps in my time but I am starting on a truck for my son. I want a 2500 for the beefier axles and stronger drive train. I would like to have solid axles but I believe those stopped in 87? I also would like for it to be an extended cab, but have not found any earlier than 90 or so. Did they ever make this combo of solid axles and ext cab?  

Thanks for reading any help would be great.  

Yes, 1987 was the last year for solid front axles on standard cab.  The first model year for extended cab (1500, 2500, & 3500) was 1988 and they were IFS front.  The Blazers, Suburbans, and Crew Cabs kept the old body style through 1991 and were still solid front axle.  If you want an extended cab you will have to convert the IFS to a solid front axle, unless you want the big task of making the 73-87 standard cab into a extended cab.  I had actually made plans to build that older body style into an extended cab starting with a Blazer body and a short box onto a standard cab frame.  But after buying two Crew Cabs I gave up on that idea since I found that an extended cab would not have the room I wanted anyway.

Hope this information helps you.  

well, i know that that they were only k1500 and not k2500, but chevy made a hand full of extra cabs in the mid 80's. they are very rare, almost impossible to see, but i live in montana and i've seen 2 of them. one was a green one and the other was two tone tan and brown. hard to believe but they are cool looking.
the brown and tan one still drives around
if you have the patience and ability you can build one. i personally would love to see more of these because you would have a one of o kind  

WHEN IM DOWN THERE IN MISSOULA NEXT TIME ILL FIND THAT TRUCK AND TAKE SOM PICS AND POST THEM
 

I would really like to see a factory extended cab of that older body style.  Even better yet, any literature GM would have had on them.  Post it in this thread as soon as you get the pics.  

Thanks for the info. Having never built up an IFS, I have a question would it be better to swap a solid axle from another truck, or would a 2500 ifs hold up to 37's and around 400hp? I have a pretty heavy right food and this is going to be my sons truck, he is 8 now but it never to soon to start a build. Before I get slammed, I know I have to lift the truck to fit that size meat. My plan is to use 6in suspension and a saws-all and hammer for any massaging that may need to be done. It will he daily driver some day so I want street able and till he is older I will use as truck and a toy. Mostly mud light trail.  

where in missoula? i'm in billings now, be in missoula tonight, then when I get to portland, I'll post pics of my 85 k30 4x4 extra cab!

I wouldn't recomend the ifs for 37's unless it is for looks, personally  

coming into missoula you have east missoula first. take the exit at the exon truck stop and take the frontage road toward east missoula, there's a repair shop about a mile from the truck stop on the right hand side of the road, he has quite a few square body chevys there in a fenced area. he usually parks it in front. it has, looks like a 4" lift w/33s and mag wheels. its cool
id like to see your extra cab, wish i had one  

isn't there some low overpasses through there? I'm 14' high and 83 ft long. might be such a good idea, although I could.....  

there are but none lower than 14'6" i believe,and in that area you should be fine. just watch for rams and elk on the roads, they tend to use them as there own. keep on trucking,drive safe  

cool, we'll see I guess, It'll be dark anyhow, I may stay ther tonight, haven't decided yet.  

that exit is in bonner just before east missoula "its really a town, about 2 people"thats the exon exit. and there is a little restaraunt next to the stop called river city grill, excee=llent prime rib dinner, enjoy!  

o yeah been there!  

well talk to ya later, have a great christmas and a happy new year  

back at ya, thanks