Need advice - The 1947 - Present Chevrolet & GMC Truck Message Board Network

Trucknut57 · 01-13-2018, 08:12 PM

Just picked up a 68 LWB C10 Last month. It also came with a 72 LWB C10 complete frame.
I plan on doing a LWB to SWB conversion. The 68 was damaged in the left front and may have a slightly bent frame (I'll know more when I pull off the front end and cab).

Once I check the frame on the 68 and if it can be fixed should I use the 68 frame or the 72 frame?

Thanks,
Wess

**Jcfcamaro** · 01-13-2018, 08:36 PM

Probably the 72. I think they have something better with the mounting for power steering. And disc brakes up front.

Trucknut57 · 01-13-2018, 09:04 PM

I didn't even think about the power steering, thanks.

weq92f · 01-14-2018, 10:32 AM

I think it's only the '67 frames that may or may not have the dimple for the steering pump. As for the disk vs. drum brakes of the 67-70 vs. 71-72, that would be a steering spindle thing rather than a frame thang!

Hth,

-klb

Trucknut57 · 01-14-2018, 11:37 AM

I was looking around the site last night and found the info for the disc brake switch. Looks like I just need to swap out the spindles and drag link items and I can use the 68 frame (provided it is usable). But if it can't be used at least I already have another frame.

Trucknut57 · 01-14-2018, 05:40 PM

Well got bored today so I pulled off all the damaged metal. Looks like the 68 frame is not going to be used. Too bent up.

**Elliot949** · 01-14-2018, 06:47 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Trucknut57

Just picked up a 68 LWB C10 Last month. It also came with a 72 LWB C10 complete frame.
I plan on doing a LWB to SWB conversion. The 68 was damaged in the left front and may have a slightly bent frame (I'll know more when I pull off the front end and cab).

Once I check the frame on the 68 and if it can be fixed should I use the 68 frame or the 72 frame?

Thanks,
Wess

Stay with the 68... if it is bent take it to a frame machine...

**Boog** · 01-14-2018, 07:23 PM

The choice of which frame to use depends on what you have planned for it.
The 72 frame should already have 5 lug axles front and rear. Your choice of available wheel styles depend somewhat on this.
The 72 already has front disc brakes. Much improvement over drum brakes. It may also already have power steering.
Or use your 68 frame and be out the expense of having it straightened and still have to move the 72 components over to it too.

Trucknut57 · 01-14-2018, 07:38 PM

As of today my plans are;
LWB to SWB
5.3L / 4L80E swap
2/4 drop (I live on a country road, can't go too low)
Add A/C
New wiring harness
New cab floor

**Boog** · 01-14-2018, 08:21 PM

Sounds good.

Barnfind46 · 01-14-2018, 08:39 PM

If the '72 frame is strait I would go with that. Unless the body shop tech is good working on channel frames the '68 frame may never be right.He can get the pulls done to bolt up the sheet metal but the track of the wheels may not be right. I have been in the industry for more than 30 years and have had to repair truck frames that other shops fixed first. Not that many frame vehicles on the road these days so a lot of techs have little or no experience in this. Most cars are uni-body and trucks and SUV's are hydro-formed frames. Just my two cents.

01-13-2018, 08:12 PM	#1
Trucknut57 Registered User Join Date: Aug 2010 Location: Jennings, OK Posts: 322	Need advice Just picked up a 68 LWB C10 Last month. It also came with a 72 LWB C10 complete frame. I plan on doing a LWB to SWB conversion. The 68 was damaged in the left front and may have a slightly bent frame (I'll know more when I pull off the front end and cab). Once I check the frame on the 68 and if it can be fixed should I use the 68 frame or the 72 frame? Thanks, Wess __________________ Somehow, the idiots survive despite their best efforts to kill themselves. - dcozzi

01-13-2018, 08:36 PM	#2
Jcfcamaro Senior Member Join Date: Jul 2015 Location: Fairfax, Missouri Posts: 1,049	Re: Need advice Probably the 72. I think they have something better with the mounting for power steering. And disc brakes up front.

01-13-2018, 09:04 PM	#3
Trucknut57 Registered User Join Date: Aug 2010 Location: Jennings, OK Posts: 322	Re: Need advice I didn't even think about the power steering, thanks. __________________ Somehow, the idiots survive despite their best efforts to kill themselves. - dcozzi

01-14-2018, 10:32 AM	#4
weq92f Registered User Join Date: Oct 2016 Location: Dallas Texas Posts: 3,151	Re: Need advice I think it's only the '67 frames that may or may not have the dimple for the steering pump. As for the disk vs. drum brakes of the 67-70 vs. 71-72, that would be a steering spindle thing rather than a frame thang! Hth, -klb __________________ 67 C10 fleet fuel injected '70 402, 700r4, 3.73 posi 07 335 sport turbo 6sp 94 Trans Am GT LT1 6sp posi -- sold after 22yrs 99 540 sport V8 6sp -- sold 73 240z L24 4sp -- given to friend 68 C10 step 350/350 3.73 open -- sold

01-14-2018, 11:37 AM	#5
Trucknut57 Registered User Join Date: Aug 2010 Location: Jennings, OK Posts: 322	Re: Need advice I was looking around the site last night and found the info for the disc brake switch. Looks like I just need to swap out the spindles and drag link items and I can use the 68 frame (provided it is usable). But if it can't be used at least I already have another frame. __________________ Somehow, the idiots survive despite their best efforts to kill themselves. - dcozzi

01-14-2018, 05:40 PM	#6
Trucknut57 Registered User Join Date: Aug 2010 Location: Jennings, OK Posts: 322	Re: Need advice Well got bored today so I pulled off all the damaged metal. Looks like the 68 frame is not going to be used. Too bent up. Attached Images __________________ Somehow, the idiots survive despite their best efforts to kill themselves. - dcozzi

01-14-2018, 07:23 PM	#8
Boog laying low Join Date: Mar 2001 Location: Searcy, Ark. USA Posts: 13,441	Re: Need advice The choice of which frame to use depends on what you have planned for it. The 72 frame should already have 5 lug axles front and rear. Your choice of available wheel styles depend somewhat on this. The 72 already has front disc brakes. Much improvement over drum brakes. It may also already have power steering. Or use your 68 frame and be out the expense of having it straightened and still have to move the 72 components over to it too. __________________ Boog 69 Chevy stepside, 358/T350, 4.11 posi, 4.5/4 drop, rallys, poboy driver primer is finer 91 Chevy sportside, Tahoe, Yukon & GMC Crewcab All GM..'nuff said. I stand for the flag and kneel at the cross

01-14-2018, 07:38 PM	#9
Trucknut57 Registered User Join Date: Aug 2010 Location: Jennings, OK Posts: 322	Re: Need advice As of today my plans are; LWB to SWB 5.3L / 4L80E swap 2/4 drop (I live on a country road, can't go too low) Add A/C New wiring harness New cab floor __________________ Somehow, the idiots survive despite their best efforts to kill themselves. - dcozzi

01-14-2018, 08:21 PM	#10
Boog laying low Join Date: Mar 2001 Location: Searcy, Ark. USA Posts: 13,441	Re: Need advice Sounds good. __________________ Boog 69 Chevy stepside, 358/T350, 4.11 posi, 4.5/4 drop, rallys, poboy driver primer is finer 91 Chevy sportside, Tahoe, Yukon & GMC Crewcab All GM..'nuff said. I stand for the flag and kneel at the cross

01-14-2018, 08:39 PM	#11
Barnfind46 Registered User Join Date: Aug 2014 Location: Mena,Arkansas Posts: 485	Re: Need advice If the '72 frame is strait I would go with that. Unless the body shop tech is good working on channel frames the '68 frame may never be right.He can get the pulls done to bolt up the sheet metal but the track of the wheels may not be right. I have been in the industry for more than 30 years and have had to repair truck frames that other shops fixed first. Not that many frame vehicles on the road these days so a lot of techs have little or no experience in this. Most cars are uni-body and trucks and SUV's are hydro-formed frames. Just my two cents. __________________ 68' with no bells or whistles unless I add'em.



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