Frame Swap

[biohazardbill]

Hi, I am new to this site.

My family and I went to a local smalltown parade/fair and well we came home with a 65 long box fleetside .

We have debated what to do with it and have decided to convert to 4x4. From what I have been reading on the web it states that using a doner truck from the years 73-87 that is already 4x4 is a good route.

I have seen several places suggesting this swap however have not seen any write ups on the possible issues I may run into. I have the doner truck already and will be cutting the body off this weekend hopefully.

Has anyone done this swap? If so anything i need to watch for?

I saw the thread on 65 3/4 ton 4x4 buildup however it looks like he is using a 69 frame.

Thanks in advance.

[62gmc910]

'73-87 suburbans make good donors because the frame kick up is further back

[biohazardbill]

The donor truck we have is a 84 longbed

[62gmc910]

you will have to find a way to deal with the frame kickup at mid cab

[Captainfab]

I typically try and discouragepeople from using a '73-'87 frame for a '60-'72 body swap. The '73-'87 frames are quite different than the '60-'72 frames when viewed from the side. When installing the older bodies on these frames, you will either end up with about a 3" body lift (which may not be an issue with a 4x4) or you will have to channel the box and front sheetmetal down over the frame. Either way it's a good bit of work. I have done one frame swap like this, but in a 2wd and didn't like it....but that's what the customer wanted.

If you're wanting to convert your '65 to a 4x4, I would recommend keeping the '65 frame and putting the '84 suspension and axles under the '65 frame. IMO it would be about the same amount of work and the end result would be better.

[biohazardbill]

Thats something good to think about. The donor truck actually already has a 3" body lift that I was already looking into cutting for spacers if need be.

I am going to remove the body from both and look at the differences and I guess decide from there whuch way I should go. Moving the suspensions over shouldnt be too bad.

Will keep you posted.

[70 Suburban]

I agree with the Captain. Its not any more or maybe less work to install you suspension from the other truck to your 60-66.

[62gmc910]

yeah it is prolly easier to go with mods to the origonal frame some how i forgot about floor height Woops

[biohazardbill]

Well finally got started...

Both bodies are off.... we decided to go with the 84 frame and leave the suspension as is. We have ground the rivets off the old body mounts and radiator support and looking at what it will take to make this work. It appears i may have to body lift as stated before, however it looks like it may only be the front 4 mounts.

[ruffrida2005]

Look at Jason65's High life light thread, He's doing the same mod. And welcome to the dark side.

[biohazardbill]

Well before i got rid of the old frame... i measured center of front wheel to center of rear wheel. It appears that the 84 wb is 6 inches longer... i may have to go the other route now. I will check out the thread you referenced... ugh

[flips72]

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[biohazardbill]

Well progress has been made. It is hard to find lift parts for these things. What we ended up doing was taking the rear spring mounts and fabbing new ones that would accomodate springs from 73-87 models. They bolt in the factory rear location. The rear also incorprates a shackle flip which will give 4" by itself

Now looking for information and pics on the front mounts on a stock 4x4 from this era so I can recreate them as well to accomodate 73-87 springs.

[srr]

Originally Posted by biohazardbill

Well progress has been made. It is hard to find lift parts for these things. What we ended up doing was taking the rear spring mounts and fabbing new ones that would accommodate springs from 73-87 models. They bolt in the factory rear location. The rear also incorporates a shackle flip which will give 4" by itself

Now looking for information and pics on the front mounts on a stock 4x4 from this era so I can recreate them as well to accommodate 73-87 springs.

[biohazardbill]

Originally Posted by srr

I should probably start a build thread but there are so many already lol.. I will snap some this weekend.