Frame Swap - The 1947 - Present Chevrolet & GMC Truck Message Board Network

81c10on24s · 03-11-2008, 04:34 AM

What would it take to put a 67 on a 73-80 frame? i have a lwb 67 that I'm swapping to swb and I have a swb 73-80 frame that I was thinking of using, what would it take? Thanks for any help.

cowboyup1086 · 03-11-2008, 05:05 AM

im thinkin about puttin my 72 on a 88 sb frame

Longhorn Man · 03-11-2008, 05:07 AM

if you are talking about a 4X4, then you'll have to modify the wheelbase a little, and do a custom body lift.
If it is a 2 wheel drive, forget about it.

The 73 - 87 frames are no where near flat like the 67 - 72s

cowboyup1086 · 03-11-2008, 05:16 AM

what about the 88 2wd how hard would it be and would it be worth it? esp with the newer style suspention

krazy_texan · 03-11-2008, 05:45 AM

if you are going 4x4 talk to mudder if i recall he did that to his truck

Longhorn Man · 03-11-2008, 06:30 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by cowboyup1086

what about the 88 2wd how hard would it be and would it be worth it? esp with the newer style suspention

I don't know how flat there frames are... nor the wheelbase. There would be cutting and welding and fabbing for certian though.

shifty · 03-11-2008, 08:07 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by 81c10on24s

What would it take to put a 67 on a 73-80 frame? i have a lwb 67 that I'm swapping to swb and I have a swb 73-80 frame that I was thinking of using, what would it take? Thanks for any help.

i guess my big question is: why bother? the front suspension is practically the same on the 67-72 and the 73-87 trucks.

81c10on24s · 03-11-2008, 12:03 PM

Well the main reason is the frame its on now is drum brakes with 6 lug and I got a free frame and was just wondering if it would work.

greasy68 · 03-11-2008, 06:10 PM

You would certainly be investing in cutoff wheels and mig wire. It would be tough but go for it. Clearly not many other people are doing it.

shifty · 03-11-2008, 08:07 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by 81c10on24s

Well the main reason is the frame its on now is drum brakes with 6 lug and I got a free frame and was just wondering if it would work.

Ultimately what I think you need to do in this situation is decide....What am I really looking to accomplish - better ride? More safety features? 5-lug wheels? Front disc brakes? What is my time worth? How much money am I looking to spend? Which is the easiest method?

If you're simply looking to "improve ride quality", you really aren't going to see that much diff'ce in the ride quality by moving to a 73-87 frame, IMHO. There are cheaper and easier ways to improve ride quality than swapping frames.

If you just want to go 5-lug with front discs, I think the smarter method would be to remove the front steering and crossmember/brakes/etc from the newer truck and bolt it onto your frame. The three holes on the lower side of the framerail will line right up, and you may have to drill one hole for the side of the framerail and waller one out. Then for the rear, you have two viable options that will cost less than the supplies and time needed to move to the new complete frame. Either A) take the rear axle from the donor frame, hack off the leafspring perches, hack off the shock mounts, then weld in new perches - assuming you have a rear spring truck, not leafs - and buy an adjustable "super panhard bar" from ECE or B) Remove the drum backing plates from the donor frame axle housing, go to the store and buy two 5-lug drums for a 73-87 truck (~$30/ea), and buy some new 5-lug axles that are made to fit your truck from ECE (~$250).

If your goal is just to get front discs, repeat everything I said for the front above, but go to your local auto parts store and buy a 73-87 6-lug rotor to replace the stock 5-lug and you should be in business, I would think (check with others around here first). Don't forget you'll need to change your proportioning valve, at minimum, and you may possibly need or want to swap out your master cylinder.

Just my 2¢

Longhorn Man · 03-12-2008, 01:53 AM

Quote:

go to your local auto parts store and buy a 73-87 6-lug rotor...

The only 6 lug rotors after 71 were 4X4, and won't swap out. (except the 99 to date, not sure if they'll swap right out though)

shifty · 03-12-2008, 02:14 AM

Thanks for the clarification, Andy. I assumed that because ECE sells their C-10 2½" Drop & Stock Spindle 6 Lug Disc Brake Conversion Kits with a 6-lug rotor (for all years, even 67-70) that there was a direct swap rotor+spindle available from another truck in this year range. Link: https://www.earlyclassic.com/catalog...ProductId=1035

I guess maybe they are custom-making these?

Longhorn Man · 03-12-2008, 02:33 AM

I'm not sure who makes them, but yeah, it is a custom piece.

scuba_usa · 12-19-2008, 12:07 AM

ok what rear ends will work in a67 chevy anit as wide as a 72

*chevy29267truck* · 12-19-2008, 01:35 AM

how come you just dont turn your 67 chevy and make it a short wheel base truck all you have too do is cut some of the frame off on each side of the rear off the frame

nicolas72gmc · 12-19-2008, 01:49 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by chevy29267truck

how come you just dont turn your 67 chevy and make it a short wheel base truck all you have too do is cut some of the frame off on each side of the rear off the frame

Yeah what he said............what did he say?

jcnalley · 12-19-2008, 03:28 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by 81c10on24s

Well the main reason is the frame its on now is drum brakes with 6 lug and I got a free frame and was just wondering if it would work.

Edited by Mod

Longhorn Man · 12-19-2008, 06:53 AM

you offering those parts for free there JC? Since trying to sell stuff as an unsubscribed member is against the rules and all.... I can only assume that is the case, right?

Tiger Hays · 12-19-2008, 07:45 AM

Edited by Mod

mycool72 · 12-19-2008, 02:29 PM

hehe

MrBeast · 12-19-2008, 02:40 PM

It would be easier and better to build a new frame.

*OBTG62* · 12-20-2008, 09:02 PM

Post deleted by forum staff

*chevy29267truck* · 12-20-2008, 10:58 PM

yeah that dean in TN

jcnalley · 12-21-2008, 01:43 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Longhorn Man

you offering those parts for free there JC? Since trying to sell stuff as an unsubscribed member is against the rules and all.... I can only assume that is the case, right?

81c10....it's amazing how people ASSUME that I'm trying to make a buck. If you want to make the trip, I have a 5 lug disc front end and a 10 bolt rearend from a 71 Chevy. I would rather GIVE them to someone that can use them,than just have them sit here. I don't need them for my K-15.

Longhorn Man · 12-21-2008, 02:01 AM

no... I was giving you the benifit of the doubt. Your post never mentioned it was being given away, and that is the #1 way a new member (or even members who know better) tries to get around the rules.
I also want to say, that is an awesome gesture, offering your parts to him like that.

03-11-2008, 05:05 AM	#2
cowboyup1086 Registered User Join Date: Dec 2007 Location: manteca, ca Posts: 77	Re: Frame Swap im thinkin about puttin my 72 on a 88 sb frame

03-11-2008, 05:07 AM	#3
Longhorn Man its all about the +6 inches Join Date: Jan 2001 Location: Hilliard Ohio Posts: 2,693	Re: Frame Swap if you are talking about a 4X4, then you'll have to modify the wheelbase a little, and do a custom body lift. If it is a 2 wheel drive, forget about it. The 73 - 87 frames are no where near flat like the 67 - 72s

03-11-2008, 05:16 AM	#4
cowboyup1086 Registered User Join Date: Dec 2007 Location: manteca, ca Posts: 77	Re: Frame Swap what about the 88 2wd how hard would it be and would it be worth it? esp with the newer style suspention

03-11-2008, 05:45 AM	#5
krazy_texan Registered User Join Date: Oct 2002 Location: West Des Moines, Ia Posts: 3,233	Re: Frame Swap if you are going 4x4 talk to mudder if i recall he did that to his truck __________________ Krazy Texan My Trucks are made with Wrenches not Chop Sticks 1967 GMC 3/4 ton "Johnny Cash" 1990 v1500 suburban 1967 Ford f100 Swb 4x4 "green bean" GOD BLESS JESUS, JOHN WAYNE, AND THE ALAMO

03-11-2008, 12:03 PM	#8
81c10on24s Registered User Join Date: Aug 2007 Location: Harvest,AL Posts: 20	Re: Frame Swap Well the main reason is the frame its on now is drum brakes with 6 lug and I got a free frame and was just wondering if it would work.

03-11-2008, 04:34 AM	#1
81c10on24s Registered User Join Date: Aug 2007 Location: Harvest,AL Posts: 20	Frame Swap What would it take to put a 67 on a 73-80 frame? i have a lwb 67 that I'm swapping to swb and I have a swb 73-80 frame that I was thinking of using, what would it take? Thanks for any help.

03-11-2008, 06:10 PM	#9
greasy68 Registered User Join Date: Jan 2008 Location: austin texas Posts: 202	Re: Frame Swap You would certainly be investing in cutoff wheels and mig wire. It would be tough but go for it. Clearly not many other people are doing it. __________________ Mike 68 C10 LWB midnight blue metallic 307ci, 700R4, HEI front discs, leaf spring rear tilt steering wheel, stock ride height, rally wheels, 2007 Dodge Charger(Hemi)

03-12-2008, 02:14 AM	#12
shifty Questionable Join Date: Mar 2005 Location: Atlanta Posts: 13,376	Re: Frame Swap Thanks for the clarification, Andy. I assumed that because ECE sells their C-10 2½" Drop & Stock Spindle 6 Lug Disc Brake Conversion Kits with a 6-lug rotor (for all years, even 67-70) that there was a direct swap rotor+spindle available from another truck in this year range. Link: https://www.earlyclassic.com/catalog...ProductId=1035 I guess maybe they are custom-making these? __________________ If I've got anything up for grabs, it'll be here: 7-hole gauge cluster for a 67-72 p/u FREE (link) I can't check the forum daily. If I don't reply to you within 24 hours, drop me a PM! I'm (hopefully) still alive and will reply faster to a PM.

03-12-2008, 02:33 AM	#13
Longhorn Man its all about the +6 inches Join Date: Jan 2001 Location: Hilliard Ohio Posts: 2,693	Re: Frame Swap I'm not sure who makes them, but yeah, it is a custom piece.

12-19-2008, 12:07 AM	#14
scuba_usa Registered User Join Date: Dec 2007 Location: ks Posts: 4	Re: Frame Swap ok what rear ends will work in a67 chevy anit as wide as a 72

12-19-2008, 01:35 AM	#15
chevy29267truck Account Suspended Join Date: Sep 2008 Location: Alva Florida Posts: 668	Re: Frame Swap how come you just dont turn your 67 chevy and make it a short wheel base truck all you have too do is cut some of the frame off on each side of the rear off the frame

12-19-2008, 06:53 AM	#18
Longhorn Man its all about the +6 inches Join Date: Jan 2001 Location: Hilliard Ohio Posts: 2,693	Re: Frame Swap you offering those parts for free there JC? Since trying to sell stuff as an unsubscribed member is against the rules and all.... I can only assume that is the case, right?

12-19-2008, 07:45 AM	#19
Tiger Hays Registered User Join Date: Nov 2008 Location: Kemah Texas Posts: 110	Re: Frame Swap Edited by Mod Last edited by Richard8971; 12-19-2008 at 08:23 PM.

12-19-2008, 02:29 PM	#20
mycool72 Registered User Join Date: Aug 2008 Location: Mansfield, TX Posts: 309	Re: Frame Swap hehe

12-19-2008, 02:40 PM	#21
MrBeast high-Tech Red Neck Join Date: Feb 2008 Location: Livingston, MT/On my boat WA/BC/AK Posts: 2,294	Re: Frame Swap It would be easier and better to build a new frame. __________________ "He used to be a pretty nice feller, now he's a welder!"



Register or Log In To remove these advertisements.

12-20-2008, 09:02 PM	#22
OBTG62 Account Suspended Join Date: Nov 2008 Location: Knoxville, Tn. Posts: 63	Re: Frame Swap Post deleted by forum staff Last edited by Longhorn Man; 12-21-2008 at 01:03 AM.

12-20-2008, 10:58 PM	#23
chevy29267truck Account Suspended Join Date: Sep 2008 Location: Alva Florida Posts: 668	Re: Frame Swap yeah that dean in TN

12-21-2008, 02:01 AM	#25
Longhorn Man its all about the +6 inches Join Date: Jan 2001 Location: Hilliard Ohio Posts: 2,693	Re: Frame Swap no... I was giving you the benifit of the doubt. Your post never mentioned it was being given away, and that is the #1 way a new member (or even members who know better) tries to get around the rules. I also want to say, that is an awesome gesture, offering your parts to him like that.

Register or Log In To remove these advertisements.