88-98 c2500 Frame swap in a '70 c20? - The 1947 - Present Chevrolet & GMC Truck Message Board Network

chevy-aholic · 11-05-2009, 10:24 PM

I have had my eye on another project for a while, and the other day at my buddies house I may have found it. His dad's got an old C20 that belonged to his father sittin in the back forty. The cab, right fender, doors, hood, and dash are in amazing shape for having not ran since 84. However the frame is in a pile of itself down underneath. I did a little measuring, and this is the 127" wheelbase truck (regular cab, long-step) so I got to thinkin why couldn't I just pick up a junkyard frame and shorten it? If I decide to do this truck the goal will be to make a 3/4 ton work truck to tow my other truck with once it gets finished. The nice thing is that if I do the swap, the donor frame would come with good brakes, rearend, and suspension (making the ride a little more tolerable for a DD). Also, it would make lining up a mild SB extremely easy seing as tho no new mounts would have to be fabricated.

My main question is, if this seams like such an easy task, why doesn't it seam like many people do it? Am I missing something major here? I have no problems with shortening a stock frame (seeing as tho I completely rebuilt my 91 frame from the door seams back without any real headaches), and I think it would be the cheapest and easiest way to create a classic looking/modern driving truck.

any input is highly appreciated. thanks in advance.

chevy-aholic · 11-06-2009, 10:15 PM

anybody? I can't imagine this is that farfetched. any input please.

chadio72 · 11-27-2009, 02:34 AM

go to carotator.com, the owner did exactly what u r talking about to a 69 with a 98 frame. it came out really nice. by the way, I have the same project started, just no progress yet except an 01 gmc chassis and a 68 body !

**Palf70Step** · 11-27-2009, 10:21 AM

The wheelbases are different between the years (98 is longer by an inch or 2). The way the frame routes are different. It is possible with moving cab mounts and tweaking stuff. It is just normally easier to use the current year frame and add the stuff like disk brakes from the later years.

chevy-aholic · 11-29-2009, 10:46 PM

Thanks for the link to the 69 build. I know that the wheelbases are different, but shortening a frame is an uncommonly simple task. Alot of people (including me at first) think it voodoo to cut a stock frame, and alter the wheelbase, but it's an extremely easy procedure. I still think it would be easier to shorten a frame, move all 4 cab mounts, and move the core support mounts than it would be to remake this decayed unit that's under this truck now. I'm also not a huge fan of the ladder bar suspension.

11-05-2009, 10:24 PM	#1
chevy-aholic Registered User Join Date: Nov 2009 Location: Central, MN Posts: 7	88-98 c2500 Frame swap in a '70 c20? I have had my eye on another project for a while, and the other day at my buddies house I may have found it. His dad's got an old C20 that belonged to his father sittin in the back forty. The cab, right fender, doors, hood, and dash are in amazing shape for having not ran since 84. However the frame is in a pile of itself down underneath. I did a little measuring, and this is the 127" wheelbase truck (regular cab, long-step) so I got to thinkin why couldn't I just pick up a junkyard frame and shorten it? If I decide to do this truck the goal will be to make a 3/4 ton work truck to tow my other truck with once it gets finished. The nice thing is that if I do the swap, the donor frame would come with good brakes, rearend, and suspension (making the ride a little more tolerable for a DD). Also, it would make lining up a mild SB extremely easy seing as tho no new mounts would have to be fabricated. My main question is, if this seams like such an easy task, why doesn't it seam like many people do it? Am I missing something major here? I have no problems with shortening a stock frame (seeing as tho I completely rebuilt my 91 frame from the door seams back without any real headaches), and I think it would be the cheapest and easiest way to create a classic looking/modern driving truck. any input is highly appreciated. thanks in advance. Last edited by chevy-aholic; 11-05-2009 at 10:25 PM.

11-06-2009, 10:15 PM	#2
chevy-aholic Registered User Join Date: Nov 2009 Location: Central, MN Posts: 7	Re: 88-98 c2500 Frame swap in a '70 c20? anybody? I can't imagine this is that farfetched. any input please.

11-27-2009, 02:34 AM	#3
chadio72 Truck Enthusiast Join Date: Apr 2009 Location: merced, ca Posts: 20	Re: 88-98 c2500 Frame swap in a '70 c20? go to carotator.com, the owner did exactly what u r talking about to a 69 with a 98 frame. it came out really nice. by the way, I have the same project started, just no progress yet except an 01 gmc chassis and a 68 body ! __________________ Chadio72 and his toys 67 C10 longfleet beater 68/01 K10 (4.8/4L65E project) 72 C30 Flatbed (400hp400) 66 Harley Davidson Shovelhead

11-27-2009, 10:21 AM	#4
Palf70Step State of Confusion! Join Date: Jul 2002 Location: Gulfport, MS USA Posts: 47,083	Re: 88-98 c2500 Frame swap in a '70 c20? The wheelbases are different between the years (98 is longer by an inch or 2). The way the frame routes are different. It is possible with moving cab mounts and tweaking stuff. It is just normally easier to use the current year frame and add the stuff like disk brakes from the later years. __________________ 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!

11-29-2009, 10:46 PM	#5
chevy-aholic Registered User Join Date: Nov 2009 Location: Central, MN Posts: 7	Re: 88-98 c2500 Frame swap in a '70 c20? Thanks for the link to the 69 build. I know that the wheelbases are different, but shortening a frame is an uncommonly simple task. Alot of people (including me at first) think it voodoo to cut a stock frame, and alter the wheelbase, but it's an extremely easy procedure. I still think it would be easier to shorten a frame, move all 4 cab mounts, and move the core support mounts than it would be to remake this decayed unit that's under this truck now. I'm also not a huge fan of the ladder bar suspension.



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