Those who have converted to 4x4 input needed.

[GMC406]

I ran accross a 58-59 GMC. If I could get a title figured out as it is out of state I think I could do it for sure. It is a decent body needing cab corners and that is suposedly it. It is just setting loosly on a 65 4x4 chassis with good front and rear ends. No eng trans tcase. What Im wanting to know is how dificult is it to finish putting it on this chasis i.e getting body mounted and powertrain and steering, brakes working properly? I also have a 83 4x4 I could strip down to the chasis and use if it would work better or easier. I think a truck like this would look killer on a lift with big tires. Pics are on my other post here. I can pick it up for $500, and its a big back window. If a chasis swap to 4x4 would be something I could do I think it would be worth it. Just needing to know from those who know what I would be in for. Thanks ahead of time. http://67-72chevytrucks.com/vboard/s...d.php?t=378606 pics are post 17

[mr48chev]

I don't see a lot of problems but you will have to build all new mounts for the cab and bed from the core support back. And in the process get the bed in it's proper and correct relationship to the cab.

Make sure that the title matches the cab. No correct title and you just had a nice long ride that weekend.

If he does have the correct title for the cab, get him to give you a separate bill of sale for the chassis. I'd even suggest doing up your own form and taking it along for him to sign.

It's pretty easy go go to your ms word or works and do up a bill of sale form. I'd do one for the cab too even though he has the title.

Basically
Bill of sale Date__________________________

Sold to_____________________________________________

Description_________________________________________________________________________________________ ____________________________________________________________________________________________________ ________________________

Serial or vin number_____________________________________________________

Selling price__________________________________

Signed________________________________________ Date_____________________

Address of seller______________________________________________________________________________________________ __________________________________________________

If you get separate bills of sale for the body and chassis, you can then transfer the title of the cab into your name and register it. Then when you get the truck up and running you eventually take it into the state inspector to have it inspected "because you did a frame swap and you want it all legal". If you used the whole chassis of the 4x you have instead of the chassis now under it an have a title to that chassis it would be even easier to take the truck and both titles down to the dmv and do the "look what I did" thing.

Here in this state they want to know about three things. Mainly that you actually can prove that you own each major part legally (title, receipt, bill of sale). That the vehicle is actually safe to drive on the roads and not scabbed together. And thirdly that it is legal to drive on the roads.
For the price, it looks like a good deal, now can you do the work that needs to be done to make a truck out of it?

[GMC406]

He has no title is the thing. I know with my 61 I was told by the DMV that all I needed was a signed bill of sale and to have the VIN inspected to not be stolen and vin not modified, then I would be issued a title, but I don't know if that changes when buying out of state. As for the work I have never done something like this but it is not something that would be going together imediatly. I would be able to take my time....years if needed to take it step by step and do it correctly.

[Gene Sharp]

you could either find a set of factory mounts off an old frame
or have something similar fabed up
I would suggest attaching with 1/2 inch grade eight bolts and polly bushings
A flaming river sure fit intermediate steering shaft and column makes thlngs
work well and gives you turn signals etc
you might at some point wish to upgrade to later axels or at least disk brakes and power booster and power steering
the bed is pretty much the same so should just bolt in place


Gene Sharp

[GMC406]

Would it be easier to lift and modify a 65 chasis or a 83 chasis? I am thinking if it happens a 454 would be in order. trans t-case, would rely on info on this board to decide that. If I look it over in person and decide to do it(if i can get a title for it) then I don't think I can let the offer slip by. If I go with the 83 chasis I could sell the 65 chasis and recoup a lil cash. Kinda wish it were a shortbox but everything else I own is a long box so I guess it would fit in. If mounting a body on another frame just takes time, patince, trial and error and a lil bit of knowledge I am sure I can do that part no prob, I can weld fine. Its the little but very important things like brakes, linkages of every sort and everyones favorite wiring, that worries me. Alot of things to make work together.

[renegade6]

Is the 65 chassis similar to the original in that it has straight frame rails? I believe the newer ones have a dip where the cab goes, which makes mounting your cab a bit more difficult.

[NuBomb]

I am planning on doing the same thing you are talking about. I have a 66 big window cab that I want to put on a 4x4 chasis. From talking to others, it sounds like a 73-92 suburban frame would be the best bet. I think I want to put my 65 on a shortened 3/4 ton suburban frame. I'm looking for a suburban with a solid running gear and a bad body. By going this route, I should have everything I need except for mounts. Since I don't have a 66 frame I guess I'll have to fab up some body mounts. I'm just in the planning stages, but I do have a 66 lwb truck without the frame.

[GMC406]

Im not sure on that one renegade, but something to look at for sure. The thing I was thinking sounded good about using the 83 chasis is for the power steering setup and colum. Wiring harness, maybe even gages somehow(not sure how it would look) And just for the fact of it being a lil more modern as far as finding parts to lift, ect. A burban is a thought to NuBomb, there are a couple of those around to be had. I could maybe even get a good 4x4 chasis from a 98. My boss had one rolled and it ran and drove fine still, so he used it to pack the race track on race night he is no longer doing that so now it just sits. I think it would be a little too modern tho and more work than it is worth, computer, wiring wise. Apriciate all the input so far.

[Gene Sharp]

If I had access to all the parts etc you do I would use the 66 frame
because it is level in the area under the cab while the later model frame has a dip there
I would keep the axels from the later frame and put them under it to have disk brakes
along with the power steering
If money is a factor you can even use the wiring from the later model truck
steering box :
there is a mount for sale on the 66 board I believe to make it mount up
If you go with a 454 you may have to set thhe firewall back or move the motor mounts for that reason I perfer a small block

Gene Sharp

[blackdiesel]

mine is setting on a 77 gmc swb 3/4 ton chassis. if you have fab skills its a fairly easy swap. wish i would have went 2wd though, 4x4 sucks

[Gene Sharp]

if you get really tired of that 4x4
you could give it to me !
I really like the 4 bys
I will promise to give it a good home
and wax it often
lol

Gene Sharp

[blackdiesel]

I'm biulding a 2 wheel drive frame to put it on. but thanks for the offer.

[Gene Sharp]

seriously you should consider removing the 4x frame etc intact
and selling to someone to cover the expenses of your conversinon
would sure make it easy for someone going that route

Gene Sharp

[blackdiesel]

Originally Posted by Gene Sharp

seriously you should consider removing the 4x frame etc intact
and selling to someone to cover the expenses of your conversinon
would sure make it easy for someone going that route

Gene Sharp

its got a dana 44 and a full floater 14 bolt rear, all compleatly rebuilt. 4 wheel disk brakes, 305 fuel injected camaro motor with 35k original miles, very fresh rebuilt 700r4 (less than 500 miles) with a 203 t case. all cab mounts and radiator mounts will be left on the frame. ready to drop your body onto and drive. oh ya, comes with the computer and wiring harness. also will throw in the mickey thompson classic II's. ill sell the chassis in a heartbeat

[winchster]

I will soon have a 2wd frame ready for a new home. I'm going to put my '49 on a '78 K5 chassis. Just waiting on garage space to get started.