Cut Frame or Swap Parts to Short Frame? - The 1947 - Present Chevrolet & GMC Truck Message Board Network

67Mach1 · 12-30-2007, 10:08 AM

I have a 67 GMC long bed with rear Leaf Springs and a good 69 chevy SWB frame. Was thinking about swaping the cab and front clip from the 67 then thought about simply cutting the frame to make the SWB truck I want.

Would there be any benifits to having a SWB rear leaf spring truck over a factory Coil rear end.

Which would be easier, anyone done both? neither have engines in them at the moment and both are rollers.

Thoughts?

Gray Ghost · 12-30-2007, 10:42 AM

I prefer the coil spring setup myself. I'd swap everything over.

whatnow123 · 12-30-2007, 10:45 AM

No brainer... I'd swap as well. You will have a coil truck (more desirable) as well as an uncut frame. It will be worth more if you ever decide to sell as well being coil/uncut.

1969k10stepside · 12-30-2007, 10:47 AM

I'd swap the body over.But if you wanted the leaf springs you could swap the suspension over,The frames are the same between a leaf and coil spring 2wd truck.

Rigo's 70 C10 · 12-30-2007, 12:02 PM

Hi 67mach1,

There are some things to consider when dealing with leaf over coil suspension, for example you can intall wider tires on springs than on leafs. etc. etc Early classics has a link that details them. Enjoy!

http://www.earlyclassic.com/Tech.asp...=Spring%20Time

mnunn454 · 12-30-2007, 01:10 PM

I'd say swap to the 69 SWB frame w/coils as well. You'll have a better ride. Plus you'll be able to sell the LWB roller frame to someone who needs it.

**Palf70Step** · 12-30-2007, 01:13 PM

Do the swap....then turn the LWB leaf frame into a trailor to tow behind the SWB.

67Mach1 · 12-30-2007, 04:01 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Palf70Step

Do the swap....then turn the LWB leaf frame into a trailor to tow behind the SWB.

This is an idea I have had also... Ive heard the coil over bed trailers are not so good. Looking like the cab front clip swap.

Guessing I should invest in new body to cab and radiator bushings....

PanelDeland · 12-30-2007, 05:56 PM

Make sure you get the proper radiator mounts.They are different between 67-68 and the later ones.If you use the wrong mounts there will be alignment issues with the front clip.

12-30-2007, 10:08 AM	#1
67Mach1 Senior Member Join Date: Nov 2005 Location: Round Rock, TX Posts: 1,100	Cut Frame or Swap Parts to Short Frame? I have a 67 GMC long bed with rear Leaf Springs and a good 69 chevy SWB frame. Was thinking about swaping the cab and front clip from the 67 then thought about simply cutting the frame to make the SWB truck I want. Would there be any benifits to having a SWB rear leaf spring truck over a factory Coil rear end. Which would be easier, anyone done both? neither have engines in them at the moment and both are rollers. Thoughts? __________________ Soon to be selling all but one, or two... Depends on what the Boss has to say....... 67 GMC Shortbed 454 Project more junk and most of it is for sale Last edited by 67Mach1; 12-30-2007 at 10:09 AM.

12-30-2007, 10:42 AM	#2
Gray Ghost Senior Member Join Date: Sep 2004 Location: Terrell, TX Posts: 1,967	Re: Cut Frame or Swap Parts to Short Frame? I prefer the coil spring setup myself. I'd swap everything over. __________________ Kelly '05 GMC Sierra SLE Z71 Bone stock except for new bed rail caps.

12-30-2007, 10:45 AM	#3
whatnow123 Registered User Join Date: Oct 2006 Location: Arizona Posts: 835	Re: Cut Frame or Swap Parts to Short Frame? No brainer... I'd swap as well. You will have a coil truck (more desirable) as well as an uncut frame. It will be worth more if you ever decide to sell as well being coil/uncut. __________________ 67 Short Step, 355, 700R 4.11 posi rear, 4/6 drop Discs on all 4 corners. Build thread: http://67-72chevytrucks.com/vboard/s...d.php?t=219094

12-30-2007, 10:47 AM	#4
1969k10stepside Registered User Join Date: Mar 2006 Location: USA Posts: 21,019	Re: Cut Frame or Swap Parts to Short Frame? I'd swap the body over.But if you wanted the leaf springs you could swap the suspension over,The frames are the same between a leaf and coil spring 2wd truck.

12-30-2007, 12:02 PM	#5
Rigo's 70 C10 Registered User Join Date: Dec 2007 Location: New Mexico Posts: 106	Re: Cut Frame or Swap Parts to Short Frame? Hi 67mach1, There are some things to consider when dealing with leaf over coil suspension, for example you can intall wider tires on springs than on leafs. etc. etc Early classics has a link that details them. Enjoy! http://www.earlyclassic.com/Tech.asp...=Spring%20Time

12-30-2007, 01:10 PM	#6
mnunn454 Registered User Join Date: Dec 2006 Location: Rhode Island Posts: 602	Re: Cut Frame or Swap Parts to Short Frame? I'd say swap to the 69 SWB frame w/coils as well. You'll have a better ride. Plus you'll be able to sell the LWB roller frame to someone who needs it. __________________ 69 C-10 SWB Fleetside 454/TH400 (For Sale) http://67-72chevytrucks.com/vboard/c...ct=1299&cat=12 70 El Camino 454 TH700 29 Model A 4-DR Sedan Deluxe

12-30-2007, 01:13 PM	#7
Palf70Step State of Confusion! Join Date: Jul 2002 Location: Gulfport, MS USA Posts: 47,216	Re: Cut Frame or Swap Parts to Short Frame? Do the swap....then turn the LWB leaf frame into a trailor to tow behind the SWB. __________________ Bill 1970 Chevy Custom/10 LWB Fleetside 2010 Toyota Tacoma PreRunner SR5 Double Cab - DD Member of Louisiana Classic Truck Club (LCTC) Bill's Gallery Life isn't tied with a bow, but it's still a gift. Live simply. Love generously. Care deeply. Speak kindly. Leave the rest to God!

12-30-2007, 05:56 PM	#9
PanelDeland I am a Referee of life. Join Date: Jun 2000 Location: Greensboro N.C. Posts: 13,992	Re: Cut Frame or Swap Parts to Short Frame? Make sure you get the proper radiator mounts.They are different between 67-68 and the later ones.If you use the wrong mounts there will be alignment issues with the front clip. __________________ The 47-present Chevrolet and GMC Truck Message Board Network,it's owners,moderators,members,and associates of any type should not be held responsible for my opinion. You can't fix stupid,not even with duct tape. "My appearance is due to the fact that "GOD" does punish you for having too much fun!" Barrett-Jackson has perfected alchemy,they make rust into gold! "You can lead a horse to water but you can't saddle a duck" "Cleverly disguised as a 'Responsible Adult' "Sometimes your Knight in shining armor is just a retard in tinfoil"

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