frame swap/ 79 to 71 question

[eedgell]

Anyone out there ever swap a 67-72 body to 73 up frame in 4x4? Are the frames different?

edgell

[Mudder]

They are doable but different.

[1969k10stepside]

The frames on the newer 73-87s have different designs and when you do this,you have to use a body lift.The frames are longer on the 73-87s too

[bigblockorange]

My buddy did it years ago it wasn't worth it!!!!!!!!!!! nothing fit right.

[67chevytodd]

How much body lift and what are we needing to clear?

[1969k10stepside]

I think 3" is what you need.Its needed to clear the frame as its bent different and is quite different in the back.Keep in mind that rear cab mounts will need fabbed up too,the 73-87 had the rear mounts inside the frame.The person to talk to is Randy(mudder).He sent me an email with pics and info on this swap

[BCOWANWHEELS]

i,ve got one thats done that way. i,ve never paid close attention to it colsely though. its a 4x4 3/4 or 1 ton. theres about 4" behind the cab thats open. look out of porportion to me .
bob

[Blue_71]

i just looked at buying one this weekend-- i would say dont do it, it looks kinda unstable to me from the one i looked at. but, here is what i noticed:

they used a flat plate bolted from left rear cab mount to right rear mount on the cab, and drilled two holes in it above the 78 mounts (inside the frame rail) to bolt the cab down

there was about a 3" body lift on it

they used a 2wd cab with a hole cut in the floor, NP203 t-case, full time 4wd

there was 4-5" between the cab and bed

they used a 78 bumper... i have no idea if a 67-72 one would fit

the rear 67-72 bumper was plastered against the bed-- i think the bumper could be spaced or the bed slid forward though

[Mudder]

The swap can be done and if done right can have advantages over the older frames. Having probably thousands look my truck over I bet there have been fewer than 25 ask if it was a newer frame. Some may have known and just walked away but it sorta goes to show ya that if done right it can look alright. You do need to shorten the frame and you can get by with less body lift if you watch what you do.

[Blue_71]

ive seen mudder's truck in person, and even ridden in it.. i will say his is defintly not noticable. if i hadnt known it was done i would have never guessed it

[1969k10stepside]

Originally Posted by Mudder

The swap can be done and if done right can have advantages over the older frames. Having probably thousands look my truck over I bet there have been fewer than 25 ask if it was a newer frame. Some may have known and just walked away but it sorta goes to show ya that if done right it can look alright. You do need to shorten the frame and you can get by with less body lift if you watch what you do.

Randy,the only thing that I would notice looking at your truck is that one shock goes towards the front,and the other towards the back.Thats about the only thing I would notice.People that arent in to these trucks wouldnt know other wise though...
I might just have to sneak up and mention it at Indy this year... j/k

[Towstrap]

On "Old Blue" shes sitting on a 85 3/4ton frame used a 3" body lift on the bed and front end custom body mount in the front of the cab with 1 hockey puck and 1 puck in the back of the cab

its not a street truck but its been holding up for what ive been doing with it