54 3100 to 56 apache frame question

[olivj]

I have a 54 3100 swb and my frame is not that good behind the cab area...I have a close family friend that has a 56 apache frame that he is going to give me but I just dont know if eveything will line up????

Any help would be appreciated.....

THANKS, OLIVJ

[Dan Bowles]

I'd say NOTHING will line up but I'm not sure. Look up the Online Car Manual Project and see if you can find the 56 frame info. The '54 is there. http://chevy.oldcarmanualproject.com...esto/index.htm

[Steve@OldSub.com]

It would be much less work to pay a couple hundred for another '54 or '55 1st frame.

Now if you're building some kind of wildly modified and dropped hot rod it might be okay to start with the later frame, but anything even loosely stock is going to be easier with the right frame.

Probably better to swap to an S-10 than the TF frame.

[dewey777]

I would think that the amount of modification required it would be better to start with a late model frame - S-10 swap or similar. Or look for the same vintage frame for less modification.

My 2 cents

[Dan Bowles]

FYI. The '54/55S1 frames are different from the 47-53s behind the cab because of the bed and trans cross members are different shapes as well.

S10/Dakota may be a better idea OR use the TF and cut it up for patches. Are you having issues right around the E brake sector that is just behind the cab? Mine is rusted there as well. I'm just going to patch it when I get to it.

[dwcsr]

The 55.2 to 59 are to wide in the front to mount the sheet metal. Your options are S10, 73-87 c10 but that ends up a little wide also or a stock frame.