Swapping vintage body of 99up frame.

[jfman]

Hey I'm new to the site. I love 67-72 chevy trucks and I would like to build one one day(once my '70 chevelle is done)

I did a serch but found nothing.

Has anybody ever swapped the body and bed of a vintage chevy truck onto a 99 and up chevy truck frame(including all drivetrain components and suspension).

has it ever been done ?

I'm doing some research is all

[Russell]

Yep, I've seen it done a few times Apparantly the wheel bases are not exactly right, but it is close enough that it doesn't cause any major problems.

[krue]

I've never seen it, but would like to. Some 4x guys have swapped to 73+ frames, but that's the only I've seen.

[outlawc]

What about the 88-98 frames, anyone done that? This is something I would like to see since I have a 90 GMC Sierra that I just put a new rearend in and all new suspension up front before the engine took a dive.

I know the frame is wider on the 88-98 to compensate for moving the gas tank inside the frame rails.

[68 short step]

this guy did.... scroll half way down to see
http://www.ls1tech.com/forums/showth...7&page=3&pp=20

[jasonrog]

I have been planning to do the exact same thing. I want a 96 or newer 4x4 so that I can get the benefits of the vortec engine, plus the drivetrain and suspension with modern technology. I am presently searching for a wrecked truck with no or minimal frame damage. I will then pull the body off, and begin putting my 71 body on. The electronics scare me a little but I am confident I will get through it.

Jason

[krue]

Would like to know more, I have a 88+ frame just sitting.

[1971custom]

ive done it me and my dad done it on a 1991 chevy suburbam frame sectened and put a 88+ step side on it have not finished it yet but am about 80 percent bone i used every thing except the body of the burb

[1969k10stepside]

I thought of doing this with a 71 body and a 96 Sierra 2500 4x4 but it never happened.I just found a cheap frame that was original to use.Welcome to the site btw.

[68gmcdually]

My '68 is mounted on a '92 Chevrolet 3500 chassis, c/w drivetrain. However we changed the intake and I am running a carb. now due to the fact that the truck was running on propane (LPG) when we bought it so the injectors and wiring harness had been all tampered with.

[jasonrog]

Ttt

[67ChevyRedneck]

My 00 is a good bit wider than my 67, but I guess if your doing a 4x4 the wheels sticking out of the fenders would look OK. Be a lot of work, but the pros of the 99+ drivetrain and suspension might make all the work worth it.

[casterbuster]

thought about this myself

[casterbuster]

i have a 00 shortstep thought about doing this with it...

[soulman67]

There was a 71 or 72 chevy on ebay that was put on a 88-98 3/4 4x4 frame. looked good so it has been done

[Palf70Step]

Originally Posted by 68 short step

this guy did.... scroll half way down to see
http://www.ls1tech.com/forums/showth...7&page=3&pp=20

I don't think that is a newer frame though, I think he just added the engne tranny etc to the original frame. Newer frames don't use trailing arms.

I have seen those photos on this board somewhere, just can't remember the guys name.

I have contemplated it myself though. Who knows, I am sure you could make it work. That's what we do with weldersand big hammers.

[jodydewey]

A huge advantage to putting the older truck on the newer frame would be you would get a much smoother ride and the ability to run the antilock unit for much improved braking. If you transplanted it on a running chassis you would also get fuel injection and the improved gas tank location. It sure would be nice to have the gas tank AND spare tire in the proper places.

[Canadian694x4]

Originally Posted by Palf70Step

I don't thing that is a newer frame though, I think he just added the engne tranny etc to the original frame. Newer frames don't use trailing arms.

I have seen those photos on this board somewhere, just can't remember the guys name.

I have contemplated it myself though. Who knows, I am sure you could make it work. That's what we do with weldersand big hammers.

Scroll a little farther down...look for the truck with the newer short fleet box mounted on it...third pic in the post shows side engine comparment with fenders off. Looks like they used a 2001 Tahoe frame according to the post.

[BigTex]

I'm interested too. Doing a little digging on the net, I came up with this:

67-72 SWB wheelbase is 115".
99+ GM SWB truck wheelbase is 117.5".
00+ Tahoe wheelbase is 116".

If you notice from that link posted above, 67lowrod says that he used an 01 Tahoe frame and drivetrain. If the wheelbase dimensions I have above are correct, the tahoe frame may be pretty close.

Does anyone have accurate dimensions and measurements for the 67-72 GM truck frame configurations? I found a nice drawing with frame dimensions, measurements, and mounting holes for 73+ models, but nothing detailed for the 67-72s.

[VinceY]

Originally Posted by BigTex

67-72 SWB wheelbase is 115".
99+ GM SWB truck wheelbase is 117.5".
00+ Tahoe wheelbase is 116".

There was a 69 or 70 that was on ebay a while back that was put on a tahoe frame. They just put the 70 sheet metal over the tahoe. It had the new drivetrain, fuel tank, dash, heater,etc and seats..... but the outside looked like our trucks.
Very cool, good mileage, new technology but I personally did not love the new dash part.

[BigTex]

I agree about the dash. I'd want the exterior AND the interior to look classic. Thats not to say that I wouldn't put in some nice seats, but I wouldn't hack up the dash just to get the newer instrument cluster installed.

I'm addicted to GENIII power and performance, so going with a current drivetrain is a must for me. A bonus would be getting ride quality enhancements and not having to deal with 35+ years of decay on the chassis.

[turbochevy]

is that THE BigTex?

[BigTex]

Hello Brian.

[turbochevy]

LOL what are you up too Richard?

BTW, that Pump shipped today via UPS.

[BigTex]

I'm leaning towards an AWD turbo LS2 wrapped in 67/72 sheet metal. Haven't bought the classic yet, but have my eye on a couple. I've been collecting drivetrain parts in my garage for a while.

Thanks for shipping the pump. I owe you one.