77 Camaro Subframe - The 1947 - Present Chevrolet & GMC Truck Message Board Network

Madhatter0926 · 07-28-2016, 11:35 AM

Hey guys,

I'm currently rebuilding a truck that was my dads. It's stripped down to the frame. I don't have a great deal of information about what my dad did to the truck when I was young because he passed away. I do remember him saying he put on a 77 Camaro subframe or something similar. I'm starting to build the frame and I need to know what parts to buy. Is there a way to tell what parts on the subframe are 77 Camaro and what's 65 C10? This is my first complete rebuild.

Also, why convert the subframe to 77 Camaro? Increased handling?

Dustin

Raked 64 · 07-28-2016, 12:18 PM

Lots of smart people on this site. Post a few pictures and I am sure we can help you figure out what parts you need.

DURG · 07-28-2016, 12:21 PM

70-81 Camaro sub frames are common on 59 and down trucks. I have not seen many on the 60 and up. I would think all of the parts on that sub frame would be used such as ball joints, tie rods, bushings etc. If the Camaro spindles were used, they did have 2 different size outer bearings used through the years. Older were an A2 then at some point they went with bigger A3 outers. Inners should be A6's. I would also expect the idler arm, center link should have remained 77 Camaro too. The brake calipers could also have metric or American banjo bolts too which would require a different rubber brake line. I think 78 to 81 were metric but can't swear to it. Not that it matters in your application but the rear mount location for the frames changed at some point, I think 74.

DURG · 07-28-2016, 12:23 PM

If a Camaro subframe is run at the right "frame height", it has very good handling characteristics. Also something to think about regarding wheels is your treadwidth compared to stock.

DURG · 07-28-2016, 12:25 PM

Tons of aftermarket suspension components available for the Gen 2 Camaro clips from folks like RideTech and Detroit Speed as well as many others. Google "second generation f body suspension" should lead you to all kinds of fancy (read expensive) options.

Madhatter0926 · 07-29-2016, 06:39 PM

Thanks for the replies guys. I posted some pictures to see if someone can tell me if I do have a 77 subframe.

Also, do these sway arms look right?

My dad had about 3 cars worth of parts in his garage when he passed. So I'm trying to figure out what he had in the truck when it was running. Thanks for all your help!

Dustin

DURG · 07-29-2016, 09:03 PM

I can tell you those are not Camaro upper or lower control arms.

chevy_mike · 07-30-2016, 11:41 AM

It would be to allow a cheap way to upgrade to disc brakes. Swapping all the same parts over makes for a simple, easy swap. Yes they will fit your '65 but you might have to drill some new holes for the idler arm on the frame, since this designed changed over the years.

DURG · 07-30-2016, 06:14 PM

Can we see a picture of the frame. The Camaro and the truck frame are not the least bit similar.

Madhatter0926 · 07-30-2016, 10:11 PM

I think I may have figured out what happened. I think my dad used 77 Camaro spindles with 73-87 control arms to convert to disc brakes cheap. The 77 camaro subframe got added into my head at some point. Here are some pics, let me know what you think.

Madhatter0926 · 07-30-2016, 10:31 PM

Here are the pictures.

jtrichard · 07-30-2016, 11:20 PM

Well the frame is OEM C10 truck FOR SURE... cross-member is Chevy truck others can tell by the pic about what year i bet .....Since dad said something about a 77 i bet the donor was a 77C10 chevy

Madhatter0926 · 07-31-2016, 08:23 AM

Thanks for helping me figure that out guys. Now it's time to buy parts.

Any suggestions on a front end kit? I want to buy drop spindles, rotors, tie rod ends, calipers, bushings, etc. Any advice on where I could buy all everything I need for the front end suspension in one kit?

TopFuel1966 · 07-31-2016, 09:10 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Madhatter0926

Thanks for helping me figure that out guys. Now it's time to buy parts.

Any suggestions on a front end kit? I want to buy drop spindles, rotors, tie rod ends, calipers, bushings, etc. Any advice on where I could buy all everything I need for the front end suspension in one kit?

Early Classic Enterprises
www.earlyclassic.com

chevy_mike · 08-01-2016, 10:55 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by TopFuel1966

Early Classic Enterprises
www.earlyclassic.com

x2 on that. ECE is top notch! Just remember, you are buying parts for the suspension stuff you have, not the year of the truck.

07-28-2016, 11:35 AM	#1
Madhatter0926 Registered User Join Date: Jan 2013 Location: Greenville, SC Posts: 15	77 Camaro Subframe Hey guys, I'm currently rebuilding a truck that was my dads. It's stripped down to the frame. I don't have a great deal of information about what my dad did to the truck when I was young because he passed away. I do remember him saying he put on a 77 Camaro subframe or something similar. I'm starting to build the frame and I need to know what parts to buy. Is there a way to tell what parts on the subframe are 77 Camaro and what's 65 C10? This is my first complete rebuild. Also, why convert the subframe to 77 Camaro? Increased handling? Dustin

07-28-2016, 12:18 PM	#2
Raked 64 Registered User Join Date: Apr 2012 Location: central, IL Posts: 119	Re: 77 Camaro Subframe Lots of smart people on this site. Post a few pictures and I am sure we can help you figure out what parts you need.

07-28-2016, 12:21 PM	#3
DURG Registered User Join Date: May 2012 Location: Scarborough ME. Posts: 413	Re: 77 Camaro Subframe 70-81 Camaro sub frames are common on 59 and down trucks. I have not seen many on the 60 and up. I would think all of the parts on that sub frame would be used such as ball joints, tie rods, bushings etc. If the Camaro spindles were used, they did have 2 different size outer bearings used through the years. Older were an A2 then at some point they went with bigger A3 outers. Inners should be A6's. I would also expect the idler arm, center link should have remained 77 Camaro too. The brake calipers could also have metric or American banjo bolts too which would require a different rubber brake line. I think 78 to 81 were metric but can't swear to it. Not that it matters in your application but the rear mount location for the frames changed at some point, I think 74. __________________ 1962 Impala SS 383 stroker Tremec TKO 600 Black 1965 SWB BBW Fleetside Custom Cab PB Coilover setup Black 2003 100th Anniversary Road King Classic Silver Black

07-28-2016, 12:23 PM	#4
DURG Registered User Join Date: May 2012 Location: Scarborough ME. Posts: 413	Re: 77 Camaro Subframe If a Camaro subframe is run at the right "frame height", it has very good handling characteristics. Also something to think about regarding wheels is your treadwidth compared to stock. __________________ 1962 Impala SS 383 stroker Tremec TKO 600 Black 1965 SWB BBW Fleetside Custom Cab PB Coilover setup Black 2003 100th Anniversary Road King Classic Silver Black

07-28-2016, 12:25 PM	#5
DURG Registered User Join Date: May 2012 Location: Scarborough ME. Posts: 413	Re: 77 Camaro Subframe Tons of aftermarket suspension components available for the Gen 2 Camaro clips from folks like RideTech and Detroit Speed as well as many others. Google "second generation f body suspension" should lead you to all kinds of fancy (read expensive) options. __________________ 1962 Impala SS 383 stroker Tremec TKO 600 Black 1965 SWB BBW Fleetside Custom Cab PB Coilover setup Black 2003 100th Anniversary Road King Classic Silver Black

07-29-2016, 06:39 PM	#6
Madhatter0926 Registered User Join Date: Jan 2013 Location: Greenville, SC Posts: 15	Re: 77 Camaro Subframe Thanks for the replies guys. I posted some pictures to see if someone can tell me if I do have a 77 subframe. Also, do these sway arms look right? My dad had about 3 cars worth of parts in his garage when he passed. So I'm trying to figure out what he had in the truck when it was running. Thanks for all your help! Dustin Attached Images

07-29-2016, 09:03 PM	#7
DURG Registered User Join Date: May 2012 Location: Scarborough ME. Posts: 413	Re: 77 Camaro Subframe I can tell you those are not Camaro upper or lower control arms. __________________ 1962 Impala SS 383 stroker Tremec TKO 600 Black 1965 SWB BBW Fleetside Custom Cab PB Coilover setup Black 2003 100th Anniversary Road King Classic Silver Black

07-30-2016, 11:41 AM	#8
chevy_mike Never Ending Projects Join Date: Jul 2006 Location: San Diego, CA Posts: 3,836	Re: 77 Camaro Subframe It would be to allow a cheap way to upgrade to disc brakes. Swapping all the same parts over makes for a simple, easy swap. Yes they will fit your '65 but you might have to drill some new holes for the idler arm on the frame, since this designed changed over the years. __________________ . 1965 C10 Panel, Tiki Express http://www.67-72chevytrucks.com/vboa...d.php?t=506580 SOLD 1968 Chevy C10, Long, Fleetside, Hot Rod Hauler http://67-72chevytrucks.com/vboard/s...d.php?t=313233 SOLD 1965 Chevy C10, Long, Fleetside, Hot Rod C10 http://67-72chevytrucks.com/vboard/s...d.php?t=415702 SOLD We were given two ears and one mouth for a reason... listen twice as much and speak half as often...

07-30-2016, 06:14 PM	#9
DURG Registered User Join Date: May 2012 Location: Scarborough ME. Posts: 413	Re: 77 Camaro Subframe Can we see a picture of the frame. The Camaro and the truck frame are not the least bit similar. __________________ 1962 Impala SS 383 stroker Tremec TKO 600 Black 1965 SWB BBW Fleetside Custom Cab PB Coilover setup Black 2003 100th Anniversary Road King Classic Silver Black

07-30-2016, 10:11 PM	#10
Madhatter0926 Registered User Join Date: Jan 2013 Location: Greenville, SC Posts: 15	Re: 77 Camaro Subframe I think I may have figured out what happened. I think my dad used 77 Camaro spindles with 73-87 control arms to convert to disc brakes cheap. The 77 camaro subframe got added into my head at some point. Here are some pics, let me know what you think. Last edited by Madhatter0926; 07-30-2016 at 10:29 PM.

07-30-2016, 10:31 PM	#11
Madhatter0926 Registered User Join Date: Jan 2013 Location: Greenville, SC Posts: 15	Re: 77 Camaro Subframe Here are the pictures. Attached Images

07-30-2016, 11:20 PM	#12
jtrichard Registered User Join Date: Jun 2013 Location: joshua tree ca. Posts: 1,484	Re: 77 Camaro Subframe Well the frame is OEM C10 truck FOR SURE... cross-member is Chevy truck others can tell by the pic about what year i bet .....Since dad said something about a 77 i bet the donor was a 77C10 chevy Last edited by jtrichard; 07-30-2016 at 11:25 PM.

07-31-2016, 08:23 AM	#13
Madhatter0926 Registered User Join Date: Jan 2013 Location: Greenville, SC Posts: 15	Re: 77 Camaro Subframe Thanks for helping me figure that out guys. Now it's time to buy parts. Any suggestions on a front end kit? I want to buy drop spindles, rotors, tie rod ends, calipers, bushings, etc. Any advice on where I could buy all everything I need for the front end suspension in one kit?



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