Is my 68 sitting on a 80 body? - The 1947 - Present Chevrolet & GMC Truck Message Board Network

Malk44 · 04-15-2012, 01:03 AM

Just picked up this 68 short 4x4 Chevy. Looking at the body it's spot on with a friends 80 short bed. If this is possible, am I going to run into any trouble in this build? Also could this be the reason for a 3'' body lift? Thanks for the help! Malcom

Malk44 · 04-15-2012, 01:08 AM

Sorry is my 68 body sitting on a 80'ish frame?

martindc1 · 04-15-2012, 08:46 AM

Post pics... For me the dead give away is the front spring hanger. There's nothing wrong with frame swaps as long as the person doing the work did things the right way. But yes the body lift could be there because of a frame swap.

Mudder · 04-16-2012, 07:38 AM

The rear shocks on the older frame hang from the same direction. The newer frame they are opposite. The newer cab has a drastic raise right behing the cab compared to the older cab. Wheel bases were also different, so check for cuts/welds in the frame behind the cab.

**special-K** · 04-16-2012, 08:37 AM

On a 73-up frame the core support mounts will either be modified or new holes and some sort of cushions will be through the top frame rail. The core support needs to be moved back. That,and as Randy mentioned,the rear shock are opposed on the newer frames.

Mudder · 04-16-2012, 08:48 AM

My core didn't need to be moved back but needed to be lowered. I just cut the bottom of the shroud out for the fan. I then went to an electric fan but it actually cooled better with the orginial set up.

RPBurris · 04-19-2012, 02:17 PM

Well i believe my 69 is sitting on a 78 frame. Find the VIN stamp on the frame either by the steering box or on the passenger side under the cab. I did not figure this out until i started to rebuild mine. Check the wheelbase dimensions as well. my front wheel well is moved about 3" forward from the stock location because of the difference in dimensions. I hung a replacement set of fenders and when i finally got the steering hooked up the tires rub the fender. Not the inner, the outer...this is without the weight of the engine on the front as well. Definitely figure out what you have and then decide the route you want to take. Mine just took a new direction.

some pictures might go a long way...

Malk44 · 04-19-2012, 05:34 PM

Thanks everyone for the info, sorry about no pics. As soon as I get back Ill take some close-up. Had the wife crawling under to send me the vin off the frame while I at this training, that's a good girl. Looks like its a 79 4x4 and body is a 68 2x.
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04-15-2012, 01:03 AM	#1
Malk44 Registered User Join Date: Dec 2011 Location: Cedar City,UT Posts: 5	Is my 68 sitting on a 80 body? Just picked up this 68 short 4x4 Chevy. Looking at the body it's spot on with a friends 80 short bed. If this is possible, am I going to run into any trouble in this build? Also could this be the reason for a 3'' body lift? Thanks for the help! Malcom

04-15-2012, 01:08 AM	#2
Malk44 Registered User Join Date: Dec 2011 Location: Cedar City,UT Posts: 5	Re: Is my 68 sitting on a 80 body? Sorry is my 68 body sitting on a 80'ish frame?

04-15-2012, 08:46 AM	#3
martindc1 Registered User Join Date: Jul 2009 Location: La Crosse, WI Posts: 218	Re: Is my 68 sitting on a 80 body? Post pics... For me the dead give away is the front spring hanger. There's nothing wrong with frame swaps as long as the person doing the work did things the right way. But yes the body lift could be there because of a frame swap. __________________ Currently truckless, previous trucks: 67 K20, 87 K10 aka V10 & 72 C10

04-16-2012, 07:38 AM	#4
Mudder Registered User Join Date: Feb 2001 Location: East Central, MO Posts: 11,336	Re: Is my 68 sitting on a 80 body? The rear shocks on the older frame hang from the same direction. The newer frame they are opposite. The newer cab has a drastic raise right behing the cab compared to the older cab. Wheel bases were also different, so check for cuts/welds in the frame behind the cab.

04-16-2012, 08:37 AM	#5
special-K Special Order Join Date: Nov 2004 Location: Mt Airy, MD Posts: 85,851	Re: Is my 68 sitting on a 80 body? On a 73-up frame the core support mounts will either be modified or new holes and some sort of cushions will be through the top frame rail. The core support needs to be moved back. That,and as Randy mentioned,the rear shock are opposed on the newer frames. __________________ "BUILDING A BETTER WAY TO SERVE THE USA"......67/72......"The New Breed" GMC '67 C1500 Wideside Super Custom SWB: 327/M22/3.42 posi.........."The '67" (project) GMC '72 K2500 Wideside Sierra Custom Camper: 350/TH350/4.10 Power-Lok..."The '72" (rolling) Tim "Don't call me a redneck. I'm a rough cut country gentleman" R.I.P. ~ East Side Low Life ~ El Jay ~ 72BLUZ ~ Fasteddie69 ~ Ron586 ~ 67ChevyRedneck ~ Grumpy Old Man ~

04-16-2012, 08:48 AM	#6
Mudder Registered User Join Date: Feb 2001 Location: East Central, MO Posts: 11,336	Re: Is my 68 sitting on a 80 body? My core didn't need to be moved back but needed to be lowered. I just cut the bottom of the shroud out for the fan. I then went to an electric fan but it actually cooled better with the orginial set up.

04-19-2012, 02:17 PM	#7
RPBurris Registered User Join Date: Mar 2010 Location: Dyer, Indiana Posts: 395	Re: Is my 68 sitting on a 80 body? Well i believe my 69 is sitting on a 78 frame. Find the VIN stamp on the frame either by the steering box or on the passenger side under the cab. I did not figure this out until i started to rebuild mine. Check the wheelbase dimensions as well. my front wheel well is moved about 3" forward from the stock location because of the difference in dimensions. I hung a replacement set of fenders and when i finally got the steering hooked up the tires rub the fender. Not the inner, the outer...this is without the weight of the engine on the front as well. Definitely figure out what you have and then decide the route you want to take. Mine just took a new direction. some pictures might go a long way... Attached Images __________________ 1969 Chevy K20 Longbed

04-19-2012, 05:34 PM	#8
Malk44 Registered User Join Date: Dec 2011 Location: Cedar City,UT Posts: 5	Re: Is my 68 sitting on a 80 body? Thanks everyone for the info, sorry about no pics. As soon as I get back Ill take some close-up. Had the wife crawling under to send me the vin off the frame while I at this training, that's a good girl. Looks like its a 79 4x4 and body is a 68 2x. Posted via Mobile Device



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