69 body on a 73 frame? will it work - The 1947 - Present Chevrolet & GMC Truck Message Board Network

69chevy84 · 06-08-2009, 10:51 AM

i just had a ? and wanted to pick at everyones brain im pretty sure i already know the answer to the ? but i want to find out if at all possible with making modifications of course, to put a 69 cab and bed on a 73 frame, the reason why i am curious is i have a 69 pickup workin on restorin and had an extra 73 4wd frame layin around and thought about puttin the two together and makin a 4wd truck. any advice or input on this subject would be great thanks

Shyguy · 06-08-2009, 11:22 AM

Anything is possible with some mods.

We just finished putting a '63 body on a '69 frame. It was not real difficult, had to make a few mods in cab mounts.

The combination will be challenging but can be done.

I saw a '53 truck body on a '74 4x4frame and the guy said it wasn't too hard. He had to change body mounts some and make spacers here and there.

Danny

69chevy84 · 06-08-2009, 01:17 PM

thanks guess ill just have to look at both frames and try and make the 73 mounts and all look like the 69 i have under it now, might have to ponder and research this a bit

**GruntMoanCough** · 06-08-2009, 01:47 PM

I have done three of these conversions and working on the fourth.
Basically it's just a matter of shuffling cab mounts around. The box fits the newer frame very well.
Your rad support mount will end up on top of the front spring hanger. The others are close and easy to modify. Steering shaft needs some monkeying with.
Good luck.

Longhorn Man · 06-08-2009, 04:01 PM

relocate the rear axle forward
custom body lift
fab some body mounts

its been done, easy all depends on your skill level.

69chevy84 · 06-09-2009, 08:02 AM

so then just some body mount adjustments moved around and what about the rad support will i need to move it or modify it somehow, and what do u mean steering shaft needs to be messed with, not relocated or anythin?

69chevy84 · 06-09-2009, 08:37 AM

i just found out i have an 85 4x4 frame layin around with everythin on it not 73 just tryin to figure out if i am goin to be creating more work for myself that i wont be able to handle.
do u have a thread on any of your work GruntMoanCough id like to see all that u did on ur mods....i just really want to make mine a 4wd id hate to keep it 2wd. thanks

**GruntMoanCough** · 06-09-2009, 11:12 AM

Yeah, the '85 will work.
The rad support stays unchanged, just have to move the mounts back to line up.
The steering shaft length will need to be changed slightly, depending on shaft used, body lift, etc.
Sorry, I haven't documented any of this but, can post pics of certain items you may need. (I kinda fly by the seat of my pants)
I believe I saw a thread on this in the Projects/Builds section.

Longhorn Man · 06-09-2009, 04:57 PM

mudder did this, last time I spoke to him (a month ago i think) he was talking about a build thread

SCOTI · 06-09-2009, 07:28 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Shyguy

We just finished putting a '63 body on a '69 frame. It was not real difficult, had to make a few mods in cab mounts.

Danny

I asked about this the other day over in the 60-66 area . . .....
http://67-72chevytrucks.com/vboard/s...d.php?t=347003

Would you care to elaborate on the 'mods' you did? I'm curious to see if I've missed anything in my research.

06-08-2009, 10:51 AM	#1
69chevy84 Registered User Join Date: Jun 2009 Location: Galveston TX Posts: 22	69 body on a 73 frame? will it work i just had a ? and wanted to pick at everyones brain im pretty sure i already know the answer to the ? but i want to find out if at all possible with making modifications of course, to put a 69 cab and bed on a 73 frame, the reason why i am curious is i have a 69 pickup workin on restorin and had an extra 73 4wd frame layin around and thought about puttin the two together and makin a 4wd truck. any advice or input on this subject would be great thanks

06-08-2009, 11:22 AM	#2
Shyguy Junior Member Join Date: Dec 2006 Location: Southeast Missouri Posts: 2,436	Re: 69 body on a 73 frame? will it work Anything is possible with some mods. We just finished putting a '63 body on a '69 frame. It was not real difficult, had to make a few mods in cab mounts. The combination will be challenging but can be done. I saw a '53 truck body on a '74 4x4frame and the guy said it wasn't too hard. He had to change body mounts some and make spacers here and there. Danny __________________ '67 Chevy C-20 short stepper - build complete, 454/SM-465. '75 C-30 Single Cab DRW-350 small block/NP-435. '77 GMC-6500 Dump Truck, 427 Tall Deck. '92 GMC K-3500 Duallie, 454/4L80E.

06-08-2009, 01:17 PM	#3
69chevy84 Registered User Join Date: Jun 2009 Location: Galveston TX Posts: 22	Re: 69 body on a 73 frame? will it work thanks guess ill just have to look at both frames and try and make the 73 mounts and all look like the 69 i have under it now, might have to ponder and research this a bit

06-08-2009, 01:47 PM	#4
GruntMoanCough Registered User Join Date: May 2009 Location: Pemberton, BC Posts: 1,075	Re: 69 body on a 73 frame? will it work I have done three of these conversions and working on the fourth. Basically it's just a matter of shuffling cab mounts around. The box fits the newer frame very well. Your rad support mount will end up on top of the front spring hanger. The others are close and easy to modify. Steering shaft needs some monkeying with. Good luck. __________________ My goal in life is to be as good a person as my dog already thinks I am - Unknown

06-08-2009, 04:01 PM	#5
Longhorn Man its all about the +6 inches Join Date: Jan 2001 Location: Hilliard Ohio Posts: 2,690	Re: 69 body on a 73 frame? will it work relocate the rear axle forward custom body lift fab some body mounts its been done, easy all depends on your skill level.

06-09-2009, 08:02 AM	#6
69chevy84 Registered User Join Date: Jun 2009 Location: Galveston TX Posts: 22	Re: 69 body on a 73 frame? will it work so then just some body mount adjustments moved around and what about the rad support will i need to move it or modify it somehow, and what do u mean steering shaft needs to be messed with, not relocated or anythin?

06-09-2009, 08:37 AM	#7
69chevy84 Registered User Join Date: Jun 2009 Location: Galveston TX Posts: 22	Re: 69 body on a 73 frame? will it work i just found out i have an 85 4x4 frame layin around with everythin on it not 73 just tryin to figure out if i am goin to be creating more work for myself that i wont be able to handle. do u have a thread on any of your work GruntMoanCough id like to see all that u did on ur mods....i just really want to make mine a 4wd id hate to keep it 2wd. thanks

06-09-2009, 11:12 AM	#8
GruntMoanCough Registered User Join Date: May 2009 Location: Pemberton, BC Posts: 1,075	Re: 69 body on a 73 frame? will it work Yeah, the '85 will work. The rad support stays unchanged, just have to move the mounts back to line up. The steering shaft length will need to be changed slightly, depending on shaft used, body lift, etc. Sorry, I haven't documented any of this but, can post pics of certain items you may need. (I kinda fly by the seat of my pants) I believe I saw a thread on this in the Projects/Builds section. __________________ My goal in life is to be as good a person as my dog already thinks I am - Unknown

06-09-2009, 04:57 PM	#9
Longhorn Man its all about the +6 inches Join Date: Jan 2001 Location: Hilliard Ohio Posts: 2,690	Re: 69 body on a 73 frame? will it work mudder did this, last time I spoke to him (a month ago i think) he was talking about a build thread

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