72 Frame swap, Help!! - The 1947 - Present Chevrolet & GMC Truck Message Board Network

re1 · 03-08-2006, 07:22 PM

The frame on my truck is tweaked and or bent and I can't get things to line up,so I'm wondering what would be the better fix ,
- take it to a frame shop and hope they can fix or
- look for a new frame and start fresh
I'm in the middle of a cab on restoration so it would not be much more work to swap frames.
(And what frames are compatable with my 1/2 ton long box?)

john@thepier · 03-08-2006, 07:31 PM

68-72 if you want power steering to bolt up with out any problem. You should be able to find on for next to nothin$

shade67 · 03-08-2006, 08:42 PM

I had the same problem with my 67 the left frame horn was bent down and in. I didn't really notice it untill I went to put the front clip back on it. I took it to the chevy garage body shop and they straightened it for $125! it had no engine or trans in it at the time and no front clip. They liked it that way- easy to work on! I painted it with por 15- sweet!!

qksilver · 03-08-2006, 08:46 PM

I had the same problem on a 65 SWB last week, took it to a good body shop and they straighten it for 85 bucks. I was going to use another frame but after measuring it was slightly twisted also. If your frame is in otherwise good shape i would use it, have it straighten, mine also was stripped except for the cab and bed. Made it really easy plus if it is the orgianl frame for that cab, the numbers will match. One less hassle ............legal and/or paperwork

re1 · 03-09-2006, 04:08 AM

Thanks for the help,
I talked to one frame guy and said to put the box back on and he would try and straighten it,
he said it is easier to straighten with the body on.

Joe67 · 03-09-2006, 08:40 AM

IMO if you already plan a frame off, start with a straight frame.
It is VERY difficult to get a bent frame back on track again.

mocwon · 03-09-2006, 09:00 AM

A reputable shop that is skilled at to doing hard hits can easily straighten a frame back to within factory specs. I see these guys do some amazing stuff all the time with waded up, bent and diamonded frames.

Joe67 · 03-09-2006, 09:04 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by mocwon

A reputable shop that is skilled at to doing hard hits can easily straighten a frame back to within factory specs. I see these guys do some amazing stuff all the time with waded up, bent and diamonded frames.

I guess it depends on how much those good shops charge for something like that when roller chassis can be had for $300 or less.

Americanrider · 03-09-2006, 01:41 PM

Is your truck a coil or leaf setup? I know of a few around here that can be had for less than 200 bones.

mocwon · 03-09-2006, 04:32 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by 67c10step

I guess it depends on how much those good shops charge for something like that when roller chassis can be had for $300 or less.

Very true....

re1 · 03-09-2006, 05:33 PM

It's a coil spring setup.

HeavyD · 03-09-2006, 06:59 PM

Alot depends if it is a swb or lwb. Lwb frames can be had for almost nothing..I have scrapped a few good ones over the last year. Swb is another story, but maybe being so close to Washington will help.
*Edit* I see you said long box..will not be a problem finding one.

71 lowrider · 03-10-2006, 09:00 PM

I straighten frames for a living,and in my opinion,I would tow the chassis to a shop and have them measure it and give an estimate on the straightening. We are talking about a frame that is 30+years old so you dont really know if your $200 or $300 dollar roller is any better than the frame you have now.

qksilver · 03-24-2006, 11:22 PM

I agree with that, it depends on how bent. Mine was very slightly twisted from being pulled out of a ditch.
If the truck doesn't have a front bumper or it's bent the frame is also.

69face · 03-25-2006, 04:22 AM

i wish i could find a rolling frame for 300, starting price around(sunny rust free southern california) here is 800.

HeavyD · 03-25-2006, 02:02 PM

For a lwb? That's crazy.

03-08-2006, 07:22 PM	#1
re1 Registered User Join Date: Oct 2005 Location: Metro Vancouver Posts: 444	72 Frame swap, Help!! The frame on my truck is tweaked and or bent and I can't get things to line up,so I'm wondering what would be the better fix , - take it to a frame shop and hope they can fix or - look for a new frame and start fresh I'm in the middle of a cab on restoration so it would not be much more work to swap frames. (And what frames are compatable with my 1/2 ton long box?)

03-08-2006, 07:31 PM	#2
john@thepier Senior Member Join Date: Aug 2004 Location: Lake Geneva, WI 53147 Posts: 970	Re: 72 Frame swap, Help!! 68-72 if you want power steering to bolt up with out any problem. You should be able to find on for next to nothin$

03-08-2006, 08:42 PM	#3
shade67 Registered User Join Date: Jan 2004 Location: Portage, WI Posts: 89	Re: 72 Frame swap, Help!! I had the same problem with my 67 the left frame horn was bent down and in. I didn't really notice it untill I went to put the front clip back on it. I took it to the chevy garage body shop and they straightened it for $125! it had no engine or trans in it at the time and no front clip. They liked it that way- easy to work on! I painted it with por 15- sweet!! __________________ Scott 66 chevy short step 327 4speed 67 chevy Short Fleet tpi 350 700r4 72 chevy K10 swb 01 GMC Sierra 01 Pontiac Bonneville

03-08-2006, 08:46 PM	#4
qksilver Senior Member Join Date: Dec 2004 Location: Southern Pines NC Posts: 3,853	Re: 72 Frame swap, Help!! I had the same problem on a 65 SWB last week, took it to a good body shop and they straighten it for 85 bucks. I was going to use another frame but after measuring it was slightly twisted also. If your frame is in otherwise good shape i would use it, have it straighten, mine also was stripped except for the cab and bed. Made it really easy plus if it is the orgianl frame for that cab, the numbers will match. One less hassle ............legal and/or paperwork

03-09-2006, 04:08 AM	#5
re1 Registered User Join Date: Oct 2005 Location: Metro Vancouver Posts: 444	Re: 72 Frame swap, Help!! Thanks for the help, I talked to one frame guy and said to put the box back on and he would try and straighten it, he said it is easier to straighten with the body on.

03-09-2006, 08:40 AM	#6
Joe67 67 is sold Join Date: Apr 2001 Location: Troy, Michigan Posts: 6,738	Re: 72 Frame swap, Help!! IMO if you already plan a frame off, start with a straight frame. It is VERY difficult to get a bent frame back on track again. __________________ Joe - Formerly 67c10step ------------------------------- 1967 Chevy Stepside - ECE 4/6, fuelcell, 5lug - SOLD gr8lakes - My ebay auctions Click here to order forum apparel :: Click here to become a subscribing member

03-09-2006, 09:00 AM	#7
mocwon Keep On Truckin' Join Date: Mar 2003 Location: Buda, Texas Posts: 1,354	Re: 72 Frame swap, Help!! A reputable shop that is skilled at to doing hard hits can easily straighten a frame back to within factory specs. I see these guys do some amazing stuff all the time with waded up, bent and diamonded frames. __________________ Just Passin' Thru Some projects are like herding cats; others are like putting out fires; this one was like herding cats on fire.....

03-09-2006, 01:41 PM	#9
Americanrider Registered User Join Date: Dec 2004 Location: NW, WA. Posts: 1,421	Re: 72 Frame swap, Help!! Is your truck a coil or leaf setup? I know of a few around here that can be had for less than 200 bones.

03-09-2006, 05:33 PM	#11
re1 Registered User Join Date: Oct 2005 Location: Metro Vancouver Posts: 444	Re: 72 Frame swap, Help!! It's a coil spring setup.

03-09-2006, 06:59 PM	#12
HeavyD Senior Member Join Date: Sep 2004 Location: Wakaw, Sask, Canada Posts: 3,179	Re: 72 Frame swap, Help!! Alot depends if it is a swb or lwb. Lwb frames can be had for almost nothing..I have scrapped a few good ones over the last year. Swb is another story, but maybe being so close to Washington will help. Edit I see you said long box..will not be a problem finding one. __________________ "You can take the man out of PA, but you can't take PA out of the man" Last edited by HeavyD; 03-09-2006 at 07:02 PM.

03-10-2006, 09:00 PM	#13
71 lowrider Registered User Join Date: Feb 2006 Location: meadville pa. Posts: 37	Re: 72 Frame swap, Help!! I straighten frames for a living,and in my opinion,I would tow the chassis to a shop and have them measure it and give an estimate on the straightening. We are talking about a frame that is 30+years old so you dont really know if your $200 or $300 dollar roller is any better than the frame you have now.

03-24-2006, 11:22 PM	#14
qksilver Senior Member Join Date: Dec 2004 Location: Southern Pines NC Posts: 3,853	Re: 72 Frame swap, Help!! I agree with that, it depends on how bent. Mine was very slightly twisted from being pulled out of a ditch. If the truck doesn't have a front bumper or it's bent the frame is also.

03-25-2006, 04:22 AM	#15
69face Registered User Join Date: Feb 2006 Location: northridge Posts: 534	Re: 72 Frame swap, Help!! i wish i could find a rolling frame for 300, starting price around(sunny rust free southern california) here is 800.

03-25-2006, 02:02 PM	#16
HeavyD Senior Member Join Date: Sep 2004 Location: Wakaw, Sask, Canada Posts: 3,179	Re: 72 Frame swap, Help!! For a lwb? That's crazy. __________________ "You can take the man out of PA, but you can't take PA out of the man"



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