64 body swap

[karlbenz]

thinkin bout mounting my 64 cab (only) on my 86 4x4 frame and drivetrain. testing the waters here, lookin for input on possible obstacles i might run it to. any input would be appreciated.

karl

[Captainfab]

The '73-'87 frames drops down lower under the cab area than the '72 and older frames. When doing a complete body swap such as this you would end up with a body lift unless you channel the front clip and the box over the frame.

You say you are using the cab only.....are you building a truggy?

[karlbenz]

puttin a flatbed on it to haul my 4 wheeler and hog dogs. how much body lift you think i would end up with? i am a fabricator by trade so shouldn't be any trouble.

thanks
karl

[Joey~AP]

I did a 66 onto a 77.

Look at my sig....

[karlbenz]

will i need a high hump floor? if so where would i get one or would i have to build one? how much body lift will i end up with?

[Captainfab]

You'll end up with about a 3" body lift. I wouldn't think you would need a high hump trans cover since you'll be lifting the body. If you do need one I can fix you up.

The other option to doing the body lift would be to channel the front clip and the bed down over the frame. Probably 6 of one half dozen of the other depending on your preference.

[oklahomaduner]

I am about to do the same thing. but the bed too.

[Mudder]

The newer frames raise sharply after or right behind the cab. That is were most of the problem will be I think. Even if I had a high hump on my 67 I wouldn't be able to lower it anymore without doing extensive cutting on the rear of the cab.

I think if a guy could get ahold of a Burb frame that would work better.

[Captainfab]

Originally Posted by oklahomaduner

I am about to do the same thing. but the bed too.

On the truck you are building, to put that body on that frame you will have to either build new cab and box mounts which will give you a body lift, or channel the front clip and the box down over the frame. IIRC the box won't need as much as the front clip.

[karlbenz]

anyone got any pics of channeling the front clip to give me an idea of what i am getting into? i would rather not do the body lift

[Captainfab]

I don't have any pics, but basically you'll have to cut the frame just behind the radiator support and drop it down to lne up the front clip with the height of the cab. Of course while doing this you could also replace the '86 frame horn with the '64 frame horns so you can run the '64 front bumper.

This will be about the same as the lowriders guys do when they 'Z' the frame. There's sure to be some pics of that here somewhere.

[oklahomaduner]

are there any close up pics of what the body lift looks like to do this?

[karlbenz]

Originally Posted by Captainfab

I don't have any pics, but basically you'll have to cut the frame just behind the radiator support and drop it down to lne up the front clip with the height of the cab. Of course while doing this you could also replace the '86 frame horn with the '64 frame horns so you can run the '64 front bumper.

This will be about the same as the lowriders guys do when they 'Z' the frame. There's sure to be some pics of that here somewhere.

i can't cut the frame behind the rad. support because of the front spring shackle??

[Captainfab]

Originally Posted by karlbenz

i can't cut the frame behind the rad. support because of the front spring shackle??

That is true.....forgot about that for a minute.....sorry about that.

In light of that you'll have to either get creative with the radiator support mount and spring mount, or leave that as it is and go with the body lift under the cab and bed.

On the '73-'87's the frames are the same width as the '63-'72's but they are not the same contour when viewed from the side. The '73-'87's drop down more from the front suspension back to where the frame curves up at the rear suspension. So to put the older body on a '73-'87 frame you start with the radiator support at the stock height. Then going rearward level the body, and build the frame brackets of the body mounts up to support the body.

About 16-17 years ago I mounted a '62 body on a '74 C10 frame (same contour as a K10) When it was all done it looked like a stock height K10. That truck is still around.....I need to see if I can get some pics of it to show whenever this subject comes up.