SWB on a 67 SS Chevelle frame? Can it be done?

[BIGBLU 72]

Has anyone done this? they have about the same wheel base so what other problems will i run into? also i want to use the Chevelle 12 bolt will i run into problems with that? let me kno what you think about my possible next project!

[Security guy]

My dad had a '63 swb pickup that we put on a '78 olds delta 88 frame. It was the same wheel base also. Its been a while ago, but I know he had to cut the floor near the back and box it in. Of course everything had to have custom made mounts to mount the cab, bed, and front clip. Anything is possible, just depends on how much work you want to do to make it work. The easy route would be to use a stock frame and customize it with which ever rear you wanted. One thing though, the olds frame we used rode like a caddy, and we got it pretty low with a stock suspension. The wheel bolt pattern was the same as the trucks if i remember right. Good luck and let us know what you decide.

[prostreetC-10]

These days anything can and has been done. It's just a matter of ease. There are always long and drawn out ways of doing something and shorter ones. I would just guess that there would be a ton of changes just to get the body on. If it was me, I'd find a long bed frame with a 12 bolt and cut the frame before taking on that kind of challenge. It would be one thing if you have a really old truck and you are trying to upgrade from a straight axle front but that is not the case here. Would sure make for a cool build thread though!!!!

[BIGBLU 72]

The thing is that I have a great frame for the tru k but just wanted something that would handle awesome and ride great! I plan to make a hotrod out of it that not many ppl have

[prostreetC-10]

Just ask around this board.....you can get these truck frames to handle like they are on rails!

Just a guess but if you are wanting handling, I'm thinking the chevelle frame might be too narrow.

[BarryB]

Man, before I would go thru all the mods required to do what you want. I would check into getting a air bag system. They make them where you can get the truck to handle like it's on rails, and ride better than a caddy.
One trick you can do is swap your upper control arms from right to left. it changes the angle of the wheels so when your turning more of the tire stays on the road.

[prostreetC-10]

Originally Posted by BarryB

One trick you can do is swap your upper control arms from right to left. it changes the angle of the wheels so when your turning more of the tire stays on the road.

WOW....now I have not heard about this one. Does it change the caster or what? This is very interesting. Where can I get some more info on this? Thanks!

[Longhorn Man]

in reality, I don't think the chevelle frame would offer much (if any) advantage in the way it would handle.

[PanelDeland]

40 year old tech swapped for 40 year old tech probably wont net you much better handling other than the lowered stance and center of gravity.For the same $$$$ and effort you could probably do both to your truck frame.The only advantage I can think of is that the Chevelle will have better aftermarket support for handling mods and suspension pieces.

[N2TRUX]

All you need to do is add the right equipment to a SWB frame. It looks to me like the truck is burning the cones just as flat as the Chevelle.

Get er low and make er go....

[prostreetC-10]

Great comparison! That 66 looks tough too!

[Longhorn Man]

if the 'velle frame is nice, the selling of it would probably fund most of the truck suspention mods.

[67shortie]

Originally Posted by BarryB

One trick you can do is swap your upper control arms from right to left. it changes the angle of the wheels so when your turning more of the tire stays on the road.

Never heard of this, any more info?

[basemodel67]

Anyone with more insight on this?

[special-K]

I believe the truck will handle worse with the under-rated suspension of the car.It wouldn`t be sitting like those pictures.

[stllookn]

Frizzle Fry ran his big block Burby at an autocross with minor modifications against English, German and Italian sports cars. He finished about 30 out of 40 or so. Not sure how to find that thread with the Utube link!

[turp mcspray]

I own and drive chevelles. If you want them to handle well you still need to throw parts at them!
Have you heard of "Hot Rods To Hell" they use 2wd trailing arms to make chevelles handle awesome! This is what they did in NASCAR decades ago. With the aftermarket support we have today, you can buy or build suspension parts to make your truck do whatever you want it to do. I think the frame swap will be a lot of unneccesary grief. But to each his own.