? about frame again

[bigcountryboy]

ok everyone. i think i've figured out my frankenstein truck, but wanted to double check with ya'll first. the VIN says it's a 2wd 6cyl but sometime before the PO bought it the truck was converted to a 4x4. from the research that i've done the frame is a 73-87 frame but i want some input before i go off and buy new spring hangers for it. here is what i have for my conclusion. the rear shocks oppose each other and are mounted on the outside of the frame like a 73-87 would. from what i've found 67-72 the rear shocks mount to the inside of the frame and the shock tops both point towards the front of the bed. the bed has a home grown body lift and the front end is kinda confusing as some body mounts are tall as in 2-3 inches or so but the rear cab mount bushings are only an inch or so high. i've read that when you do a frame swap on a 67-72 truck to a 73-87 frame you have to do a body lift on the bed to match the height of the cab. is this true? sorry to be so long winded but i need to get some spring hangers for the front of rear leafs and can't afford to throw money at the truck until it works. any input would be great.

also there is not an ID tag on the top drivers side frame rail by the engine like a 67-72. the frame is also coated with some really thick enamel paint so i don't know if there is an ID on the passengers side frame rail behind the tranny cross member like on a 73-87 frame.

[Mudder]

sounds like a 73-87 frame.

[bigcountryboy]

thanks mudder. that's what i was thinking also. just wanted some more opinions to be sure.

[special-K]

I think it's a -73+ frame,too. No body lift is needed for the bed. It's needed for the cab because with the bed down tight on the frame the cab is too low.
Look at where the core support mounts to the frame. Either new hole were drilled through the core support with some sort of different bushings were used to work with the frame mounts or the frame mounts were moved and are now bolted rather than riveted. The front frame horns will be cut,also. The '73+ frames are longer in the front of the cab. Your front springs should be longer than '72- springs by a 2+".