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11-03-2005, 09:03 PM
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#1 |
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Junior Member
Join Date: Mar 2005
Location: Maryland
Posts: 129
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68 on a 73 up frame?
I thought I had read a post talking about using a 73-87 frame under a 67-72 truck awhile back. Did a search and checked the FAQs but nothing. Anyone have any info on doing this. I just picked up a 77 camper special with 454, turbo 400, 14 bolt, big sway bars. I would like to upgrade my 68 C20 either doing a frame swap or just front and rear suspension swap. Frame widths must be the same as the front suspension crossmember will swap so I was thinking just use the 68 cab mount brackets on the 77 frame. Anyone?
Scott
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'67 SWB big block project '85 C60 school bus motorhome conversion |
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11-03-2005, 09:27 PM
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#2 |
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State of Confusion!
  
Join Date: Jul 2002
Location: Gulfport, MS USA
Posts: 46,818
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Re: 68 on a 73 up frame?
It is not a bolt over swap. To make it work you'll need a body lift to fit the newer fram. Asker Mudder67...he did it on his truck. Me, I would move everything from the new frame to the older frame...front corssmemeber, engine rear etc...
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Bill 1970 Chevy Custom/10 LWB Fleetside 2010 Toyota Tacoma PreRunner SR5 Double Cab - DD Member of Louisiana Classic Truck Club (LCTC) Bill's Gallery Life isn't tied with a bow, but it's still a gift. Live simply. Love generously. Care deeply. Speak kindly. Leave the rest to God! |
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11-03-2005, 10:05 PM
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#3 |
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Designated A-hole!
Join Date: Mar 2003
Location: South Mississippi
Posts: 36,450
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Re: 68 on a 73 up frame?
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"If it ain't broke, fix it 'til it is!" Being stupid ain't illegal.  We're Still Debt Free Except for the House!!! www.daveramsey.com 70 GMC SWB Stepside project "Green Booger" soon to be 6.0l/4l80e 93 S-10 "Poppaw's Truck" |
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11-03-2005, 10:22 PM
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#4 |
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its all about the +6 inches
Join Date: Jan 2001
Location: Hilliard Ohio
Posts: 2,693
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Re: 68 on a 73 up frame?
Wheel base isn't the same either.
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11-03-2005, 10:26 PM
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#5 |
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Junior Member
Join Date: Mar 2005
Location: Maryland
Posts: 129
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Re: 68 on a 73 up frame?
Although I have cut up and modified a lot of classic cars and trucks in my 42 years, I have felt much more guilty about it lately! I guess a crossmember and rear swap would be less offensive. I would like to use the sway bars and am not sure how much work retroing them to the 68 frame would be. I also have the trailing arm vs leaf spring issue to decide on. I imagine I could change over to leaf springs by cutting the front and rear hangers of the 77.
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'67 SWB big block project '85 C60 school bus motorhome conversion |
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11-03-2005, 10:29 PM
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#6 |
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its all about the +6 inches
Join Date: Jan 2001
Location: Hilliard Ohio
Posts: 2,693
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Re: 68 on a 73 up frame?
but the trailing arm set up is soooo much bettine in almost every aspect.
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11-03-2005, 10:39 PM
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#7 | |
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Where's my beer?
Join Date: Aug 2002
Location: I live in the state of denial....
Posts: 5,621
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Re: 68 on a 73 up frame?
Quote:
 
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11-03-2005, 11:39 PM
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#8 |
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its all about the +6 inches
Join Date: Jan 2001
Location: Hilliard Ohio
Posts: 2,693
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Re: 68 on a 73 up frame?
You know Paul, the first time i towed with the old SWB GMC, I noticed that it didn't track for squat. I had a small (think itty bitty) enclosed U-haul trailer with a washing machine in it, and it felt funny above 65.
I asked about that on here and just about everyone replied with "My trailing are truck tows great... your truck must be a POS" (which... it was) So the Q is.... Is your truck a POS too? When you gonna get the Blaze on the road man? It's starting to grow roots! |
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11-03-2005, 11:57 PM
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#9 | |
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Where's my beer?
Join Date: Aug 2002
Location: I live in the state of denial....
Posts: 5,621
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Re: 68 on a 73 up frame?
Quote:
Ok, I'll admit it it was a POS, but a POS with leafs would've tracked better. I keep repeating to myself "next year", maybe next year?  
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11-04-2005, 05:20 AM
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#10 |
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Registered User
Join Date: Feb 2001
Location: East Central, MO
Posts: 11,336
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Re: 68 on a 73 up frame?
Is this a 2wheel drive truck?
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11-04-2005, 06:38 AM
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#11 |
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Junior Member
Join Date: Mar 2005
Location: Maryland
Posts: 129
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Re: 68 on a 73 up frame?
Yes, both trucks are 2wd. 68 is high hump. Considering leafs for the towing aspect only. I regularly pull a 30' Scarab Sport that goes about 7000# and I'm tired of busting up my '94 daily driver.
Scott
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'67 SWB big block project '85 C60 school bus motorhome conversion |
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11-04-2005, 06:58 AM
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#12 |
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Registered User
Join Date: Feb 2001
Location: East Central, MO
Posts: 11,336
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Re: 68 on a 73 up frame?
You'll probably have trouble with the bed lining up with the cab. I believe the newer frame makes a sudden upward bend right at the back of the cab that may mess with you. You need to do a lot of measuring and comparing differences between the two.
I do not know the differences in the two frames either as for 4wheel drive verses 2wheel drive. Last edited by Mudder; 11-04-2005 at 07:00 AM. |
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11-06-2005, 10:58 AM
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#13 |
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Registered User
Join Date: Apr 2005
Location: south west nebraska
Posts: 244
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Re: 68 on a 73 up frame?
i bought a 1991 suburban 4wd halfton and have put it on my 72 gmc the box lined up great but we had to secton the frame whe used the motor trans axles exc to build the truck so far it has whent pretty smooth im about half done but the 92 frame is diffirent
Last edited by 1971custom; 11-06-2005 at 11:02 AM. |
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11-06-2005, 09:08 PM
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#14 |
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Junior Member
Join Date: Mar 2005
Location: Maryland
Posts: 129
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Re: 68 on a 73 up frame?
I worked from 10:00am till 5:00pm and got the 77 body all off and cut up. I was hoping for some good parts that I could sell but not much any good. Just about every piece was damaged in some way! Tilt, cruise, AC, woodgrain interior, and every body panel. What a let down! At least I have a good frame, 454 / turbo 400, and 4.10 rear for the 68. Now to make it fit. I didn't have time to do any measuring yet. That will have to wait till next weekend.
Scott
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'67 SWB big block project '85 C60 school bus motorhome conversion |
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11-06-2005, 09:11 PM
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#15 |
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Account Suspended
Join Date: Feb 2004
Posts: 3,051
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Re: 68 on a 73 up frame?
Bet the towing issue could be fixed with a new panhard bar bushing set and possibly a panhad bar stud.
Same with the trailing arm bushings... |
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11-06-2005, 09:23 PM
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#16 |
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Junior Member
Join Date: Mar 2005
Location: Maryland
Posts: 129
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Yes...but
True, but then what would I do with all that EXTRA time on my hands and my neighbors wouldn't have anything to ***** about. My welder would get all dusty and my Oxygen and acetylene bottles would last forever! Can't have all that!
Scott
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'67 SWB big block project '85 C60 school bus motorhome conversion |
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11-06-2005, 09:40 PM
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#17 |
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Account Suspended
Join Date: Feb 2004
Posts: 3,051
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Re: 68 on a 73 up frame?
Nah, you need the torches to burn out those bushings...
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