Stupid Question 1/2 vs 3/4ton frames & bed differances???

[arkracing]

I'm looking at purchasing a '64 Chevy Pick. The Cab and nose are in nice shape, the cab does need the floor supports, which is normal around here. The guy selling it, said the truck was originally a 3/4t and he put the Cab on an '85 SWB Chassis. He has the original 3/4t frame - is there much differance in a 3/4t vs. 1/2t??? I figured I could just take the front end out of the '85 and put it on the 3/4t frame, and shorten it to be the correct SWB.

He also said that he used bedsides from a '73-'87. I seem to remember having a problem doing this with a '69 (Fender holes were different, and something about the front steps and stake pockets wasn't right?). Anyway he said that he lengthed the '73-'87 Bed by 4" to get it to fit on the '85 chassis with the '64 cab and nose correctly???

A buddy of mine has a decent set of the correct '55-'66 Rear Fenders for the truck that I'm sure I can score for nothing or cheap.

It has a 350/350 which I'll assume are cores as it doesn't run/move

Like I said Is it worth putting back on the 3/4t frame, using the '85 Disc Front Cradle and shortening the chassis?, Then I'll have to screw with the bed if it was extended 4" as well

Price is around $1250 for everything (Remember it needs: Cab Supports - All 4 of them, but the floor and rockers are good, doesn't run, brakes, etc etc.)

[jonzcustomshop]

the 3/4 ton frame uses a different rear body mount, it is metal/vulcanized rubber, but should be easy enough to use, or change out.

[arkracing]

Originally Posted by jonzcustomshop

the 3/4 ton frame uses a different rear body mount, it is metal/vulcanized rubber, but should be easy enough to use, or change out.

I just checked GMCPauls & LMC and neither of them list a body mount for a 3/4ton, just 1/2ton. LMC lists a different rear body mount bolt, but not the mount itself.

[jonzcustomshop]

here is a pic of one..

[jason65]

I took my sheer type off "more like fell off" and put the brackets off of a 1/2 ton so I could use regular mounts.

[arkracing]

Interesting. Other than that, the chassis is pretty much the same as a 1/2 - dimensionally wise anyway?

Thanks for the info.

I'm still not sure about the whole deal anyway. I have my reservations. I don't understand why the guy did all the body work and painted the cab, but didn't fix the floor supports.

[jonzcustomshop]

the way it looks now, I would be tempted to leave the whole thing like it is on the modern chassis, if it is redy to go.
the bedsides will be an issue, as you can see it looks like they are painted, but still drilled for the 73-87 fenders...which are mounted differently than the 55-66.

[arkracing]

Yeh the bed is still drilled for the later fenders & is already painted. His explination was that he was going to buy glass fenders and just drill the holes in the fenders to match the body. I don't understand why he said that he added 4" to the bedsides, I think that would really throw everything off.

The '85 chassis is 117.5"wb vs. the 115" of a '64 so the bed was set back from the cab and he added to the front of the bed to get it closer the the back of the cab? Then when the fenders are mounted over the center of the tire and you put the steps on, you'll have a bed that is longer than the steps and a big gap between the cab and the steps.

He did a pretty good job mounting the cab and nose, but the bed and WheelBase is a pretty big problem to remedy.

It's nothing that I would want to keep around, I just figured I could grab it, put it together and turn it.

[Captainfab]

IMHO you would be better off putting the body back on the original C20 frame and swapping the running gear from the '84 to the '64 frame.