Frame Swap Education ???

[aj86]

Hi guys, I'm new to the forum. I have been doing alot of research on the 1960-66 trucks. I would like to do a truck in the future but want to do my homework first and get some of your experiences and wish I dids or should have dids. Here's what I know and what I'd like to do. If I'm wrong anywhere or you have other thoughts please say something. I'm going to be a spung for knowledge.

I want to do a long bed 4x4. What I'm thinking is to find a truck with a great body so to keep the body work to a minimum. Finding the 4x4 versions seem to be hard. I'd prefer to do a GMC but they are harder to find and usually cost more, I'd settle for the chevy. After I have the truck I want to find a 73-87 suburban (4x4) (this style of suburban is 2 1/2" longer in wheel base than the 60-66 long bed so i figured it should be somewhat doable for the frame) to put the 60-66 body on . Haven't decided if I want to do a 1/2 or 3/4 ton. I'm thinking a 3/4 and put an older Cummins in it. Anyone ever do this before? If so, can you please share your experience on it? Thoughts? Ideas? Is this recommended?

Let me have it..

[siggyfreud]

From what I've read it would be more trouble than it's worth. You'll end up with a huge body lift and a lot of custom work to be done. Better of swapping the drivetrain into the frame of whatever it is you pick up.

[aj86]

How difficult is it to convert a 2x4 to 4x4?

[Captainfab]

Here is a thread that shows the best way to go about it.

http://www.67-72chevytrucks.com/vboa...d.php?t=448681

Originally Posted by aj86

How difficult is it to convert a 2x4 to 4x4?

[par4tom]

And if I was you, I'd lean more towards the 64-66 years. There were a lot more produced which means more original parts available. Also, the aftermarket parts selection are much more robust for those years than what I found with my 61...



Tom

[spacedebris]

as for your cummins idea. its doable, I'm working on putting one into my C30 panel. However be aware that the BT6 requires a lot of fab/mod work to fit. The BT6 is too long to fit the engine compartment. Now there are two schools of thought that I've seen to putting a BT6 into these years.

1. Cut the firewall and let the engine take up room under the dash. This is the method I'm using. this is my old thread about it. http://67-72chevytrucks.com/vboard/s...d.php?t=523009. I'm out of work so the project is on indefinite hold.

2. Stretch the front clip/fender/frame to make enough room (needs about 6-8 inches to make it work properly)

I would personally not do this swap on a C10. The cummins is simply too heavy IMO. And if you plan on building the cummins up, they are torque monsters that I think would be too much for a 1/2 ton. Personally I would only do this kind of build on a 1 ton at a minimum.


Now on the other hand a BT4 would likely fit well without all the mods. Stock setup on a BT4 would work well with a C10. But if you build it, a C20 would be better. Again IMO.