Are all 67-72 SWB 1/2 ton frames the same? - The 1947 - Present Chevrolet & GMC Truck Message Board Network

Grandpa's CST · 03-01-2008, 02:22 AM

Looking to do a frame swap/conversion to a SWB 2wd 1/2 ton 69 pickup, wanted to know if there are better donor frames than others or are they all the same? I had thought that 71-72 had more bracing in the front frame? I have a Porterbuilt frt crossmember and am planning on the KP Components rear 4bar.

bigvinnie · 03-01-2008, 02:38 AM

I've seen comments about people having to shave the 6 cylinder frames a bit, on the passenger side, to fit headers with a V8 conversion, maybe someone can clarify this...???

**john** · 03-01-2008, 05:24 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by bigvinnie

I've seen comments about people having to shave the 6 cylinder frames a bit, on the passenger side, to fit headers with a V8 conversion, maybe someone can clarify this...???

The frame clearance issue is when installing a BB chevy in a 67 frame.

71SWBChevy · 03-01-2008, 02:52 AM

I have a 72 6 cylinder frame and a 71 V-8 frame. They both look the same up front where the motor goes. Actually they both look the same everywhere except one is a leaf rear and one is a coil sprung rear. If you have to do some shaving to fit a certain header you are going to have to shave it on both of them.

**Shock_Me** · 03-01-2008, 04:28 AM

67-68 has smaller holes in the radiator support mounts, ie the rubbers will be different than the ones used from 69 to 72.

shifty · 03-01-2008, 05:37 AM

Two observations:

I've noticed on some auto-tranny frames, there is more crap bolted to the framerail under the passenger side of the frame for the linkage, stuff that just isn't found on my 3spd setup.

When recently looking at a newer frame (71-72?), also noticed that the bottom of the framerail on the newer frame has a 4-5" long turndown on the lower rail/under the cab (on both sides). i don't know what this is for.

oh, and of course, 4x4 and 2x4 frames will be different as well.

Anyone who tells you all 67-72 frames are exactly the same is just flat wrong. there are differences here and there, and if you set them side by side, you'll see it. is it going to affect you any? it shouldn't, not really at all. just make sure your shift linkage brackets are rivetted in the same spots, and that, if you happen to be swapping from a 67-70 frame to a 71-72 frame, be very concious of the control arms, tie rods and center link. balljoints on the control arms are different in 71-72, as are the tie rods and center link. stick with the same steering linkage where possible.

gringoloco · 03-01-2008, 07:37 AM

67-68 frames are wider at the front. When they started offering the big-block, they narrowed the frame rails for clearance.

Webrigs · 03-01-2008, 08:54 AM

Also, the 67 frames did not have a dimple in the frame to clear a power steering box. This can be dealt with by making your own or using spacers. (Actually, this was true into at least early 68...I owned one before that was the same way.)

Longhorn Man · 03-01-2008, 09:04 AM

the frames were stronger starting in 69 too. Sounds like BS, but I have the factory documentation to back it up.

03-01-2008, 02:22 AM	#1
Grandpa's CST Registered User Join Date: Apr 2007 Location: Seattle area Posts: 28	Are all 67-72 SWB 1/2 ton frames the same? Looking to do a frame swap/conversion to a SWB 2wd 1/2 ton 69 pickup, wanted to know if there are better donor frames than others or are they all the same? I had thought that 71-72 had more bracing in the front frame? I have a Porterbuilt frt crossmember and am planning on the KP Components rear 4bar.

03-01-2008, 02:38 AM	#2
bigvinnie Registered User Join Date: Aug 2001 Location: escondido, ca 92026 Posts: 1,222	Re: Are all 67-72 SWB 1/2 ton frames the same? I've seen comments about people having to shave the 6 cylinder frames a bit, on the passenger side, to fit headers with a V8 conversion, maybe someone can clarify this...??? __________________ '72 short step, 350, 700R4, tilt, ps, pdb, a/c, lowered coils, etc., other work in progress... San Diego, CA 72 Stepside Project

03-01-2008, 02:52 AM	#4
71SWBChevy Post Whore Join Date: Aug 2005 Location: Owensboro KY Posts: 11,905	Re: Are all 67-72 SWB 1/2 ton frames the same? I have a 72 6 cylinder frame and a 71 V-8 frame. They both look the same up front where the motor goes. Actually they both look the same everywhere except one is a leaf rear and one is a coil sprung rear. If you have to do some shaving to fit a certain header you are going to have to shave it on both of them. __________________ Drew '71 Chevy 350/TH350 Hugger Orange Currently just a rolling frame, body work soon to follow!!! Check out my Build Thread http://67-72chevytrucks.com/vboard/s...d.php?t=212927 Daily Driver: 1997 Chevrolet S-10 with more gears than pistons

03-01-2008, 04:28 AM	#5
Shock_Me Senior Member Join Date: May 2005 Location: New Brunswick, Canada Posts: 587	Re: Are all 67-72 SWB 1/2 ton frames the same? 67-68 has smaller holes in the radiator support mounts, ie the rubbers will be different than the ones used from 69 to 72.

03-01-2008, 05:37 AM	#6
shifty Questionable Join Date: Mar 2005 Location: Atlanta Posts: 13,376	Re: Are all 67-72 SWB 1/2 ton frames the same? Two observations: I've noticed on some auto-tranny frames, there is more crap bolted to the framerail under the passenger side of the frame for the linkage, stuff that just isn't found on my 3spd setup. When recently looking at a newer frame (71-72?), also noticed that the bottom of the framerail on the newer frame has a 4-5" long turndown on the lower rail/under the cab (on both sides). i don't know what this is for. oh, and of course, 4x4 and 2x4 frames will be different as well. Anyone who tells you all 67-72 frames are exactly the same is just flat wrong. there are differences here and there, and if you set them side by side, you'll see it. is it going to affect you any? it shouldn't, not really at all. just make sure your shift linkage brackets are rivetted in the same spots, and that, if you happen to be swapping from a 67-70 frame to a 71-72 frame, be very concious of the control arms, tie rods and center link. balljoints on the control arms are different in 71-72, as are the tie rods and center link. stick with the same steering linkage where possible. __________________ If I've got anything up for grabs, it'll be here: 7-hole gauge cluster for a 67-72 p/u FREE (link) I can't check the forum daily. If I don't reply to you within 24 hours, drop me a PM! I'm (hopefully) still alive and will reply faster to a PM. Last edited by shifty; 03-01-2008 at 05:39 AM.

03-01-2008, 07:37 AM	#7
gringoloco A guy with a truck Join Date: Sep 2005 Location: Germany, for now Posts: 5,920	Re: Are all 67-72 SWB 1/2 ton frames the same? 67-68 frames are wider at the front. When they started offering the big-block, they narrowed the frame rails for clearance. __________________ -Chris Instagram _elgringoloco_ '70 Short-Wide How to: Ruin a perfectly good C10 ‘70 Blazer ConversionHow To: Ruin a Perfectly Good 4wd '72 Highlander How To: Ruin a Perfectly Good K/5 (SOLD) '72 Blazer 2WD How to: Ruin a perfectly good Blazer (SOLD) '05 Yukon Daily Driven (not so stock) Yukon (SOLD) ‘07 Yukon Denali (daily) Members met list: SCOTI, darkhorse970, 67cheby, 67cheby'sGirl, klmore, porterbuilt, n2billet, Fastrucken, classicchev, Col Clank, GSFMECH, HuggerCST, Spray-Bomb, BACKYARD88, 5150, fine69, fatbass, smbrouss70, 65StreetCruiser, GAc10boy

03-01-2008, 08:54 AM	#8
Webrigs Registered User Join Date: Oct 2006 Location: Nampa, ID Posts: 66	Re: Are all 67-72 SWB 1/2 ton frames the same? Also, the 67 frames did not have a dimple in the frame to clear a power steering box. This can be dealt with by making your own or using spacers. (Actually, this was true into at least early 68...I owned one before that was the same way.) __________________ 1972 Cheyenne Super

03-01-2008, 09:04 AM	#9
Longhorn Man its all about the +6 inches Join Date: Jan 2001 Location: Hilliard Ohio Posts: 2,693	Re: Are all 67-72 SWB 1/2 ton frames the same? the frames were stronger starting in 69 too. Sounds like BS, but I have the factory documentation to back it up.



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