Need help from the 60-66 Experts...

[REDNOSE65]

I bought my 65 Chevy Step Side in about 1996. The previous owner didn't do anything to it and the person he bought the truck from is long and gone. He did all kinds of stuff to the truck, but did more harm than good meaning more work to make it right. Any how, to start with it has leaf springs in the rear. I don't think that's original, is it? The cab mounts align perfect. The rear is a different story. The bed doesn't align so much. I tried installing the rear bumper, but the brackets don't align at all. Can anyone tell me what years used leaf springs? 60-61??? Any info will be greatly appreciated. Here are some pics to I hope explian what I'm talking about.

[REDNOSE65]

a few more pics...

[towersddg9]

Originally Posted by REDNOSE65

a few more pics...

Jesse I think those tabs on the cross bar under tailgate need to lay on the frame my 65 is 31and3/4 inch hole to hole

[REDNOSE65]

Originally Posted by towersddg9

Jesse I think those tabs on the cross bar under tailgate need to lay on the frame my 65 is 31and3/4 inch hole to hole

They do. Thanks Rex.

[REDNOSE65]

Originally Posted by towersddg9

Jesse I think those tabs on the cross bar under tailgate need to lay on the frame my 65 is 31and3/4 inch hole to hole

Hey Rex, how about measuring from outside to outside?

[rahatawa]

I can grab measurements off my 64 fleet for comparison if it would help. its original and might help decide what you have. just let me know.
Drew

[REDNOSE65]

Originally Posted by rahatawa

I can grab measurements off my 64 fleet for comparison if it would help. its original and might help decide what you have. just let me know.
Drew

That would help Drew, thanks.

[Clyde65]

I am not an expert but, I believe that the leaf spring 1/2 ton trucks were all GMC. It appears that the frame has been changed to something else, were the 67-72 rear frames wider than 60-66? IDK that but could it also be that the rear bed frame mount there is the wrong one? Is there someone you can get some measurements from?
Does the front of the bed line up?

[REDNOSE65]

Originally Posted by Clyde65

I am not an expert but, I believe that the leaf spring 1/2 ton trucks were all GMC. It appears that the frame has been changed to something else, were the 67-72 rear frames wider than 60-66? IDK that but could it also be that the rear bed frame mount there is the wrong one? Is there someone you can get some measurements from?
Does the front of the bed line up?

The front of the bed aligns somewhat. We had to raise it a lil bit to put the step brackets. The bumper brackts, which I got brand new, don't align att all. I'm afraid my truck was butchered before I got it.
I'm just trying to make chicken salad outta chicken $*!t*.

[Clyde65]

can you see if it has been butchered after the rear cab mount? IDK why someone would but I have seen it cut after and "spliced" together. Measure your frame in the rear and see what we get there.

[Clyde65]

Does the rear of the frame kick up a bunch after the cab?

[padresag]

leaf springs were optional on Chevrolet trucks. looking closely at the little that can be seen of the spring hangers, they appear to be riveted in place which usually denotes factory
ron

[REDNOSE65]

Originally Posted by padresag

leaf springs were optional on Chevrolet trucks. looking closely at the little that can be seen of the spring hangers, they appear to be riveted in place which usually denotes factory
ron

I'm about to go take measurements. Take more pics while I'm there.
Thanks for the input guys.

[Clyde65]

Im still wondering if the rear and maybe front bed supports are maybe different too.

[64shortc10]

I'm no expert, but I did purchase a 62 chevy truck to swap the bed to my 64 and the rear bed mounts are the same way as you have pictured and mine is a fleetside with coils.
Tony from Norcal

[Clyde65]

LMC does show there is a different part number for 60-62 and 63-66 rear bed mounts so 64 short might be correct.

Here is the page
http://www.lmctruck.com/icatalog/cbe/full.aspx?Page=23

I went and looked at my truck (65) pics and it looks like mine are the wider rear mount.

[oem4me]

The frame rails are different widths for early and late. I bought a nice rear step bumper from a 66 to install on my 62, but I had to relocate the brackets first. It appears something has been swapped on your truck.

[TopFuel1966]

I had the same bed alignment problem with my '66. That's when I discovered that the bed was from a '62 or earlier. Simple fix.......just move the mount tabs.

[REDNOSE65]

Originally Posted by TopFuel1966

I had the same bed alignment problem with my '66. That's when I discovered that the bed was from a '62 or earlier. Simple fix.......just move the mount tabs.

That sounds easy enough, but what about the rear bumper brackets? I wonder if I should try for an earlier model...60 or 61?

Originally Posted by Clyde65

LMC does show there is a different part number for 60-62 and 63-66 rear bed mounts so 64 short might be correct.

Here is the page
http://www.lmctruck.com/icatalog/cbe/full.aspx?Page=23



I went and looked at my truck (65) pics and it looks like mine are the wider rear mount.

Outside to outside to my frame is 34".

Originally Posted by 64shortc10

I'm no expert, but I did purchase a 62 chevy truck to swap the bed to my 64 and the rear bed mounts are the same way as you have pictured and mine is a fleetside with coils.
Tony from Norcal

Thanks Tony.

Originally Posted by Clyde65

Does the rear of the frame kick up a bunch after the cab?

Not really and I didn't see where the frame might be cut and rewelded. Maybe it's a GMC frame??? I heard GMC used the leaf springs in those years.

[REDNOSE65]

...and thanks again for all you guys input. My goal is to find the correct bumper brackets. I want to lower it as well.

[Clyde65]

Like was said above Red, maybe you have a 60-62 frame. and there were some Chevy's with Leaves too. I hope someone here can measure their 60-62 for you so you can be sure.

[REDNOSE65]

Originally Posted by Clyde65

Like was said above Red, maybe you have a 60-62 frame. and there were some Chevy's with Leaves too. I hope someone here can measure their 60-62 for you so you can be sure.

Funny, I steeped away from the computer Clyde, and that's exactly what I was thinking. I hope someone can let me know if it's a 60-62. I just called on the rear bumper brackets and they said they'd switch them out for me. The bumper is the same. Thanks for all your help Clyde!

[padresag]

the 60-62 frame is further apart than the 63-. so you have a 62 box on a 64 frame, doesn't line up.
you need a 64 bumper and brkts
ron

[REDNOSE65]

Originally Posted by padresag

the 60-62 frame is further apart than the 63-. so you have a 62 box on a 64 frame, doesn't line up.
you need a 64 bumper and brkts
ron

I bought 63-66 brakets that didn't work.

[padresag]

Originally Posted by REDNOSE65

I bought 63-66 brakets that didn't work.

what bumper are you trying to use?60-62 or 63-66. you can only use the 63-66 bumper on a 64
ron