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#1 |
Registered User
Join Date: Jan 2010
Location: Forsyth, Ga
Posts: 1,012
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Frame Swap
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. |
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#2 |
Registered User
Join Date: Nov 2009
Location: Cremona AB Canada
Posts: 370
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Re: Frame Swap
'73-87 suburbans make good donors because the frame kick up is further back
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62 GMC 910 short fleetside 454 super t10 14 bolt w/gov lock 70s c20 front discs (built in the 80s) 65 GMC 930 dualwheel 292 4spd all origonal 39k mi(my sons truck) 63 GMC 950 camperized school bus, (Gus the bus) 350 4speed 2 speed rear 64 GMC 950 "spare" bus 283? 4speed detroit locker 53 GMC 1ton dual wheel bus 78 GMC c25 short course off road race truck(son's truck) 355 th400 14 bolt (www.wheel2wheel.ca) 88 Peterbilt 379 longhood (hauls race truck) ![]() ![]() ![]() ![]() |
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#3 |
Registered User
Join Date: Jan 2010
Location: Forsyth, Ga
Posts: 1,012
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Re: Frame Swap
The donor truck we have is a 84 longbed
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#4 |
Registered User
Join Date: Nov 2009
Location: Cremona AB Canada
Posts: 370
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Re: Frame Swap
you will have to find a way to deal with the frame kickup at mid cab
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62 GMC 910 short fleetside 454 super t10 14 bolt w/gov lock 70s c20 front discs (built in the 80s) 65 GMC 930 dualwheel 292 4spd all origonal 39k mi(my sons truck) 63 GMC 950 camperized school bus, (Gus the bus) 350 4speed 2 speed rear 64 GMC 950 "spare" bus 283? 4speed detroit locker 53 GMC 1ton dual wheel bus 78 GMC c25 short course off road race truck(son's truck) 355 th400 14 bolt (www.wheel2wheel.ca) 88 Peterbilt 379 longhood (hauls race truck) ![]() ![]() ![]() ![]() |
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#5 |
60-66 Nut
![]() ![]() Join Date: Mar 2007
Location: Coeur d'Alene, Idaho
Posts: 23,247
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Re: Frame Swap
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.
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Power Steering Box Adapter Plates For Sale HERE Power Brake Booster Adapter Brackets For Sale '63-'66 HERE and '67-'72 HERE and '60-'62 HERE and "60-'62 with clutch HERE Rear Disc Brake Brackets For Sale. Impala SS calipers HERE Camaro Calipers HERE D52 Calipers HERE 6 Lug HERE Hydroboost Mounting Plates HERE |
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#6 |
Registered User
Join Date: Jan 2010
Location: Forsyth, Ga
Posts: 1,012
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Re: Frame Swap
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. |
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#7 |
Rods
![]() Join Date: Nov 2002
Location: Bryan, TX
Posts: 1,398
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Re: Frame Swap
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.
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Just keepin it simple. ![]() 1965 C-10 Ext cab build. 350??(Does it count at 2 truck if I had to cut one up?) 1966 C-10 lwb 283 auto 1970 Suburban in pieces 1971 Blazer 4wd....restore someday. all factory CST 1972 Blazer 4wd parts truck still a roller 1972 GMC Sierra Grandee 1998 Chevy ext driver. 2005 F**D the wife drive...(cant fix women) |
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#8 |
Registered User
Join Date: Nov 2009
Location: Cremona AB Canada
Posts: 370
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Re: Frame Swap
yeah it is prolly easier to go with mods to the origonal frame some how i forgot about floor height Woops
__________________
62 GMC 910 short fleetside 454 super t10 14 bolt w/gov lock 70s c20 front discs (built in the 80s) 65 GMC 930 dualwheel 292 4spd all origonal 39k mi(my sons truck) 63 GMC 950 camperized school bus, (Gus the bus) 350 4speed 2 speed rear 64 GMC 950 "spare" bus 283? 4speed detroit locker 53 GMC 1ton dual wheel bus 78 GMC c25 short course off road race truck(son's truck) 355 th400 14 bolt (www.wheel2wheel.ca) 88 Peterbilt 379 longhood (hauls race truck) ![]() ![]() ![]() ![]() |
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#9 |
Registered User
Join Date: Jan 2010
Location: Forsyth, Ga
Posts: 1,012
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Re: Frame Swap
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. |
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#10 |
Member of the longbed union.
Join Date: Feb 2009
Location: Killeen, Tx
Posts: 2,158
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Re: Frame Swap
Look at Jason65's High life light thread, He's doing the same mod. And welcome to the dark side.
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Paul 88 GMC Crew Cab dually, 454/T400 64 LWB 400 HP 350/350T Bagged, under construction! Sold most of it! 92 S10 Iron Duke 5 speed, 5/7 drop for now. soon to be bagged. Sold http://67-72chevytrucks.com/vboard/s...59#post4637759 |
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#11 |
Registered User
Join Date: Jan 2010
Location: Forsyth, Ga
Posts: 1,012
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Re: Frame Swap
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
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#12 |
Registered User
Join Date: Jan 2008
Location: oldfort tn
Posts: 1,183
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Re: Frame Swap
Please note that you must be a supporting member to post classified items. This includes but is not limited to What Its Worth, Want To Buy, Want To Trade, and For Sale. Please consider supporting the forum by subscribing. Further information on the subscription levels available are located here
If you need any further assistance with that please contact any Admin for help. Last edited by 63 & 64 Bowties; 03-30-2010 at 08:26 AM. Reason: FS by non-subscribing member |
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#13 |
Registered User
Join Date: Jan 2010
Location: Forsyth, Ga
Posts: 1,012
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Re: Frame Swap
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. |
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#14 | |
Registered User
Join Date: Mar 2010
Location: lakeside california
Posts: 44
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Re: Frame Swap
Quote:
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#15 |
Registered User
Join Date: Jan 2010
Location: Forsyth, Ga
Posts: 1,012
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Re: Frame Swap
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