Would a body from a '67-'72 fit onto a '78 frame? - The 1947 - Present Chevrolet & GMC Truck Message Board Network

REPO1 · 09-04-2002, 09:48 PM

A friend asked me to find out if it is possible to lift the body off of his '69, and then set it onto the frame of a '78 K20. I would think it would be fairly easy, but I thought we should make sure.

Thanks!
Reid

Stano · 09-04-2002, 10:18 PM

Ask Mudder67 about this. His conversion looks good. Also I have seen another that had the cab floor channeled to fit over the frame rails to acquire a stock height look.

neonlarry · 09-04-2002, 11:09 PM

the wheel base is longer on the newer ones, and the rear cab mounts are different, that's all I know.

neonlarry · 09-04-2002, 11:11 PM

Oh, and I have some pics of a flatbed 68 that is on a newer frame that I could send anyone that wants them. You can't see too much, but I saved them from ebay a few months ago.

REPO1 · 09-05-2002, 01:09 AM

Good info.

Anyone else with a bit more details?

Mudder · 09-05-2002, 11:51 AM

If you can weld a little, cut, and have something to lift with. Cab mounts go to the oustide on the older cab. Frame is shorter on the older truck. Can even get a low hump cab to work with a body lift. May be able to get by without the body lift if you have a high hump floor. Just gotta make sure you can get your distributor out once you mount the cab.

**1971Stepside** · 09-05-2002, 11:57 AM

My Dad, brother and me did this conversion to my brothers 72 c-10 lwb 2WD to a 78 4X4 frame. Had to take about 11 inches out of the frame as I recall, but otherwise it was a pretty smooth transfer. Of course, it was a lot of work. I believe the steering column, etc all transferred over. Man, that was a long time ago! I was 14 when we did that!

stknrdr2 · 09-05-2002, 02:30 PM

My only question is why?

The 78 will have the same tranny, same rearend, inferior transfercase (if its 4WD), frame more prone to cracking at the steering box - and it would be a lot of work. Why not just transfer all the goodies from the 78 over to the older frame? If its a 4x4 the dana 44 in the front is a direct bolt in, you can move the pads on the rearaxle to match.

stknrdr2 · 09-05-2002, 02:36 PM

In reading a little closer I see he is probably interested in making a 4x out of a 2x ---- I see now.

I still wouldnt put in on the 78, Id do the following

1) find nasty but straight 67-72 4x frame for cheap

2) get nasty but straight 67-72 frame sandblasted and powdercoated

3) put all goodies on straight and beautiful 67-72 frame

REPO1 · 09-05-2002, 11:06 PM

That is correct. He would like to make a long box 4x4 out of his long box 2wd. He just so happens to have a '78 long box, 3/4 ton 4x4 with a horrible body on it. That is why we are contemplating it.

I wouldn't think that the frame would have had to be shortened. But the cab mounts I can see.

neonlarry · 09-06-2002, 01:52 AM

I haven't actually measured one, but I think the extra length is between the front wheels and the back of the cab. If anyone knows of any 67-72 4x4 frames around, I would like to know about it. I rarely ever see a 4x4 67-72, or any parts of one. If I could find I frame I would be able to get a whole 2wd truck for the body and stuff pretty easy. Either that, or I will buy a old willys pickup, and swap in a 350/350 auto, and axles ane transfer case from a chevy truck. I would much rather have a chevy though

My other idea was to put a 60-66 cab and a flatbed on a 73-87 frame. (no shortening that way, and the 60-66 looks better with a flatbed imo)

O'l Buck · 09-06-2002, 02:05 AM

I don't see why it wouldn't work, a torch and a welder can do wonders......I've seen Impalas, El Caminos, Chargers, station wagons and just about everything mounted on a 4x4 frame, so I don't see why it would be impossible to put a 67-72 body on one.

Mudder · 09-06-2002, 04:29 AM

Your 67-72 wheel base from center of front hub to the center of the rear axles. Then measure the 78's. Minus the difference if there is one and thats what ya gotta cut if ya want the wheels in the center of the wheel openings. Its really a pretty simple swap. Im getting together pics of all my mounts and will have them availble soon if you would like to see them. If you dont like the body lift idea get a high hump for your truck and I bet you can get it pretty low on that frame.

**Bernie** · 09-06-2002, 09:19 AM

To follow up on Neonlarry's post. I have a 53 Willy's pickup with good frame body and bed and was wondering how to use it. Has anyone done the conversion that Neonlarry mentioned ?

REPO1 · 09-06-2002, 10:16 AM

Quote:

Originally posted by Mudder67
Your 67-72 wheel base from center of front hub to the center of the rear axles. Then measure the 78's. Minus the difference if there is one and thats what ya gotta cut if ya want the wheels in the center of the wheel openings. Its really a pretty simple swap. Im getting together pics of all my mounts and will have them availble soon if you would like to see them. If you dont like the body lift idea get a high hump for your truck and I bet you can get it pretty low on that frame.

Thanks Mudder! I would love to see them. But at this point I do not have an email address. I will have a new one shortly. I am currently just on a buddies computer. (I recently moved)

But any info & pics you could get your hands on would be awesome, then in a couple of weeks or so, maybe you could send them to me.

As for the body lift, I think there would be one installed either way, as he plans on a set of 38" mudders for it.

Mudder · 09-06-2002, 02:32 PM

and resized when ever you want them. I posted a few on a thread on the 4x4 forum today, but i do have more.

diggin69 · 09-06-2002, 02:54 PM

This is my 69 on a 79 3/4 frame

dmnall · 09-07-2002, 03:02 AM

The only problem that I could see with swapping the cab over to the newer frame, now I don't know if 4x4 73 - 87 Trucks had this but I do know the 2WD frames did, and that is underneath the Seat of the 73 - 87 Frame, it Dips Down, basically making the cab sit higher!! I am still trying to find a SWB Frame and just using the rear end and front suspension off of my 74 truck!! Unless there is a way to put my 68 Cab onto my 74 frame w/ out having to do a body lift!! I can see that the way Mudder67 did to his truck looks good but it is a 4wd but I think with the whole process of lining up the body lines for a 2WD that way would look like crap!! This is just my opinion though !!

Mudder · 09-07-2002, 01:03 PM

how a 2wheel drive truck would work out. I could have made mine lower (not so much body lift) but mine was done in one week and it came out the way it did. Id have to go out and do some measuring to see just how much more it could be dropped on the newer frame.

09-04-2002, 09:48 PM	#1
REPO1 Shortbox wanna-be. Join Date: Mar 2002 Location: Fort St.John, British Columbia, Canada Posts: 773	Would a body from a '67-'72 fit onto a '78 frame? A friend asked me to find out if it is possible to lift the body off of his '69, and then set it onto the frame of a '78 K20. I would think it would be fairly easy, but I thought we should make sure. Thanks! Reid __________________ 1970 Chevy C20 Custom Camper 402BB Turbo 400 trans. (Slowly becoming a '70 shortbox 1/2 ton) '71 Camaro SS 402/T400 resto '97 Z28 (11.41@127MPH)

09-04-2002, 10:18 PM	#2
Stano Registered User Join Date: Jul 2000 Location: Mo Posts: 963	Ask Mudder67 about this. His conversion looks good. Also I have seen another that had the cab floor channeled to fit over the frame rails to acquire a stock height look. __________________ New daily driver 96 Chevy K3500 crew cab dually 53,000 miles 350 Vortec 4L80 Nice ride 67 Chevy C-10 LWB Built 350 TH-400 Wifes ride and family rig: 2001 Furd Expedition 5.4 Liter Kickin back in Rolla,Mo. USA "Do the thing you fear most and the death of fear is certain" Mark Twain

09-04-2002, 11:09 PM	#3
neonlarry Registered User Join Date: Feb 2002 Location: Vacaville, CA Posts: 2,746	the wheel base is longer on the newer ones, and the rear cab mounts are different, that's all I know. __________________ 70 C/10 Light Red 350/TH350, HEI, Duals w/40 series Flows, 91 seat, LED taillights 99 Pontiac S/C GTP, SLP Ram Air hood, GMPP Konis & springs 95 Neon ACR, MP PCM, AFX UDP, 3.0 CAI

09-04-2002, 11:11 PM	#4
neonlarry Registered User Join Date: Feb 2002 Location: Vacaville, CA Posts: 2,746	Oh, and I have some pics of a flatbed 68 that is on a newer frame that I could send anyone that wants them. You can't see too much, but I saved them from ebay a few months ago. __________________ 70 C/10 Light Red 350/TH350, HEI, Duals w/40 series Flows, 91 seat, LED taillights 99 Pontiac S/C GTP, SLP Ram Air hood, GMPP Konis & springs 95 Neon ACR, MP PCM, AFX UDP, 3.0 CAI

09-05-2002, 01:09 AM	#5
REPO1 Shortbox wanna-be. Join Date: Mar 2002 Location: Fort St.John, British Columbia, Canada Posts: 773	Good info. Anyone else with a bit more details? __________________ 1970 Chevy C20 Custom Camper 402BB Turbo 400 trans. (Slowly becoming a '70 shortbox 1/2 ton) '71 Camaro SS 402/T400 resto '97 Z28 (11.41@127MPH)

09-05-2002, 11:51 AM	#6
Mudder Registered User Join Date: Feb 2001 Location: East Central, MO Posts: 11,336	Not a big deal! If you can weld a little, cut, and have something to lift with. Cab mounts go to the oustide on the older cab. Frame is shorter on the older truck. Can even get a low hump cab to work with a body lift. May be able to get by without the body lift if you have a high hump floor. Just gotta make sure you can get your distributor out once you mount the cab.

09-05-2002, 11:57 AM	#7
1971Stepside Almost Satisfied Join Date: Mar 2002 Location: Springfield, MO Posts: 2,932	My Dad, brother and me did this conversion to my brothers 72 c-10 lwb 2WD to a 78 4X4 frame. Had to take about 11 inches out of the frame as I recall, but otherwise it was a pretty smooth transfer. Of course, it was a lot of work. I believe the steering column, etc all transferred over. Man, that was a long time ago! I was 14 when we did that! __________________ 1971 C10 Stepside. LSx 6.0 with BTR Stage IV, Speed Engineering Headers, 4L80e transmission w/3200 Circle-D Stall. 3.73. Posi. Purchased this truck when I was 17. I started the rebuild (or take apart) in 1993. I have drug it around all over the country in pieces. Finally back on the road in 2021. "I can't complain, but sometimes I still do. Life's been good to me so far."

09-05-2002, 02:30 PM	#8
stknrdr2 Registered User Join Date: Sep 2002 Posts: 10	My only question is why? The 78 will have the same tranny, same rearend, inferior transfercase (if its 4WD), frame more prone to cracking at the steering box - and it would be a lot of work. Why not just transfer all the goodies from the 78 over to the older frame? If its a 4x4 the dana 44 in the front is a direct bolt in, you can move the pads on the rearaxle to match. __________________ STKNRDR 72 LWB c/10 4wd-Hugger Orange - Frame Off Resto, 350, 4"lift, Auburn Limited Slips Both Axles- 4.56 gears- 35's - HEI - Edelbrock Performer Carb and Intake. Recently Completed - 700r4/NP208 conversion and vortec heads. Future Goals - Vortec Injection, lowering back to original height, and one ton running gear so's I can haul all my crap. Lifted truck look cool but they are useless for anything but 'wheeling

09-05-2002, 02:36 PM	#9
stknrdr2 Registered User Join Date: Sep 2002 Posts: 10	In reading a little closer I see he is probably interested in making a 4x out of a 2x ---- I see now. I still wouldnt put in on the 78, Id do the following 1) find nasty but straight 67-72 4x frame for cheap 2) get nasty but straight 67-72 frame sandblasted and powdercoated 3) put all goodies on straight and beautiful 67-72 frame __________________ STKNRDR 72 LWB c/10 4wd-Hugger Orange - Frame Off Resto, 350, 4"lift, Auburn Limited Slips Both Axles- 4.56 gears- 35's - HEI - Edelbrock Performer Carb and Intake. Recently Completed - 700r4/NP208 conversion and vortec heads. Future Goals - Vortec Injection, lowering back to original height, and one ton running gear so's I can haul all my crap. Lifted truck look cool but they are useless for anything but 'wheeling

09-05-2002, 11:06 PM	#10
REPO1 Shortbox wanna-be. Join Date: Mar 2002 Location: Fort St.John, British Columbia, Canada Posts: 773	That is correct. He would like to make a long box 4x4 out of his long box 2wd. He just so happens to have a '78 long box, 3/4 ton 4x4 with a horrible body on it. That is why we are contemplating it. I wouldn't think that the frame would have had to be shortened. But the cab mounts I can see. __________________ 1970 Chevy C20 Custom Camper 402BB Turbo 400 trans. (Slowly becoming a '70 shortbox 1/2 ton) '71 Camaro SS 402/T400 resto '97 Z28 (11.41@127MPH)

09-06-2002, 01:52 AM	#11
neonlarry Registered User Join Date: Feb 2002 Location: Vacaville, CA Posts: 2,746	I haven't actually measured one, but I think the extra length is between the front wheels and the back of the cab. If anyone knows of any 67-72 4x4 frames around, I would like to know about it. I rarely ever see a 4x4 67-72, or any parts of one. If I could find I frame I would be able to get a whole 2wd truck for the body and stuff pretty easy. Either that, or I will buy a old willys pickup, and swap in a 350/350 auto, and axles ane transfer case from a chevy truck. I would much rather have a chevy though My other idea was to put a 60-66 cab and a flatbed on a 73-87 frame. (no shortening that way, and the 60-66 looks better with a flatbed imo) __________________ 70 C/10 Light Red 350/TH350, HEI, Duals w/40 series Flows, 91 seat, LED taillights 99 Pontiac S/C GTP, SLP Ram Air hood, GMPP Konis & springs 95 Neon ACR, MP PCM, AFX UDP, 3.0 CAI

09-06-2002, 02:05 AM	#12
O'l Buck Recovering Truck Driver Join Date: Mar 2002 Location: Orleans, NE USA Posts: 1,883	I don't see why it wouldn't work, a torch and a welder can do wonders......I've seen Impalas, El Caminos, Chargers, station wagons and just about everything mounted on a 4x4 frame, so I don't see why it would be impossible to put a 67-72 body on one. __________________ 67 K-20 350, SM465, Eaton rear, 4.56 no spin option 00 Dodge 2500 4x4, 24V cummins, 5 speed Chad South Central Nebraska

09-06-2002, 04:29 AM	#13
Mudder Registered User Join Date: Feb 2001 Location: East Central, MO Posts: 11,336	Measure Your 67-72 wheel base from center of front hub to the center of the rear axles. Then measure the 78's. Minus the difference if there is one and thats what ya gotta cut if ya want the wheels in the center of the wheel openings. Its really a pretty simple swap. Im getting together pics of all my mounts and will have them availble soon if you would like to see them. If you dont like the body lift idea get a high hump for your truck and I bet you can get it pretty low on that frame.

09-06-2002, 09:19 AM	#14
Bernie Senior Member Join Date: Jan 2001 Location: Northern Illinois Posts: 516	To follow up on Neonlarry's post. I have a 53 Willy's pickup with good frame body and bed and was wondering how to use it. Has anyone done the conversion that Neonlarry mentioned ? __________________ Bernie

09-06-2002, 02:32 PM	#16
Mudder Registered User Join Date: Feb 2001 Location: East Central, MO Posts: 11,336	pics are canned and resized when ever you want them. I posted a few on a thread on the 4x4 forum today, but i do have more.



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09-06-2002, 02:54 PM	#17
diggin69 Southern but in Ohio!!!! Join Date: Jan 2002 Location: Eaton,Oh. 45320 Posts: 467	This is my 69 on a 79 3/4 frame Attached Images __________________ 1969 C/10 3/4 ton 4x4 longbed custom, frame made from a 79 1972 custom-10 half/ton longbed 1980 1/2 ton 4x4 all original 350/350/205 with air Eaton,Oh rebelryder@hotmail.com

09-07-2002, 03:02 AM	#18
dmnall Registered User Join Date: Apr 2001 Location: Goleta, CA Posts: 505	The only problem that I could see with swapping the cab over to the newer frame, now I don't know if 4x4 73 - 87 Trucks had this but I do know the 2WD frames did, and that is underneath the Seat of the 73 - 87 Frame, it Dips Down, basically making the cab sit higher!! I am still trying to find a SWB Frame and just using the rear end and front suspension off of my 74 truck!! Unless there is a way to put my 68 Cab onto my 74 frame w/ out having to do a body lift!! I can see that the way Mudder67 did to his truck looks good but it is a 4wd but I think with the whole process of lining up the body lines for a 2WD that way would look like crap!! This is just my opinion though !! __________________ 1968 C10 Truck LWB Fleetside 1968 C10 Truck SWB Stepside 1994 K2500 Ext Cab Fleetside 2008 Honda Civic Si lease

09-07-2002, 01:03 PM	#19
Mudder Registered User Join Date: Feb 2001 Location: East Central, MO Posts: 11,336	Not sure! how a 2wheel drive truck would work out. I could have made mine lower (not so much body lift) but mine was done in one week and it came out the way it did. Id have to go out and do some measuring to see just how much more it could be dropped on the newer frame.

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