Need a little info please. - The 1947 - Present Chevrolet & GMC Truck Message Board Network

jrdz2120 · 03-30-2009, 10:22 PM

I am getting ready to convert my 72 longbed to a shortbed. I have located a shortframe and bed. I looked for the last few hours trying to find any misc. parts I might need to pillage frome the donor truck. Other than rear brake lines and resizing my driveshaft is there anything I'm missing? To my understanding the trailing arms are the same and everything should bolt on. Also how heavy is the frame and bed because I have to drive 5 hours to get it and want to take enough people 2 including myself and tools etc. to drag it on and off the trailor.The bed is all steel and the frame will have front and rear suspension removed. Any information or input will be greatly appreciated. Thanks.

OARNGESI · 03-31-2009, 05:18 AM

You may wana take an extra person it sounds like you got everything youll need

OARNGESI · 03-31-2009, 05:19 AM

O yeah does both frames have same rear suspension set up

JimKshortstep4x4 · 03-31-2009, 05:20 AM

With two guys you should be able to handle loading a bare frame easily.

Jim

Longhorn Man · 03-31-2009, 05:47 AM

these trucks came with either leaf or coil springs out back, depending on the way it was ordered. Both set ups were avalible on both 115 and 127 inch chassis.

jrdz2120 · 03-31-2009, 08:35 AM

Thanks guys for the help.Now I am looking forward to getting this thing done.

my67chevytruck · 03-31-2009, 09:12 AM

sounds like your headed in the right direction..... upload some pics.....

**Boog** · 03-31-2009, 10:00 AM

Take a "come a long" with you. Those things are invaluable sometimes. You can use it to winch the rig onto the trailer.

ashx2 · 03-31-2009, 10:15 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Boog

Take a "come a long" with you. Those things are invaluable sometimes. You can use it to winch the rig onto the trailer.

An electric winch is even better if you have access to a trailer that has one. And it sure doesn't hurt to have the come a long. It can sure be a life saver.

Don't forget to take plenty of chain w/you and also some boomers if you have them. Also, if you're having to use the come a long, you might want to take some chock blocks to put behind the wheels/tires when you have to reposition the come a long.

Good luck to you and have a safe haul/trip.

Greg

jrdz2120 · 06-08-2009, 07:54 PM

Well I finally got around to locating a frame and bed. One is a 68 and the other a 71.My truck is a 72 is there any difference because I can get the 68 rolling and short box for 500? Anyone? Thanks.

oldblue1968chevy · 06-08-2009, 08:02 PM

id get the 71 if it was the same same price, 71 due to the frontend being disc already.........

jrdz2120 · 06-09-2009, 07:57 AM

The 68 has a 5bolt conversion allready. I was planing on using my suspension from my 72 since it has a lowering kit. Thanks.

Longhorn Man · 06-09-2009, 05:03 PM

the 71/72 frame is stronger and ligher.
Otherwise, they are probably the same.
If you are leaning towards the 68, make sure it has an indentation on the frront frame rail for the power steering that you probably want to run.

jrdz2120 · 08-03-2009, 11:25 AM

Well,
finally got around to pickup my my frame and bed i bought 2 months ago.I will post pics soon, but i have one more question. Does anyone know of any shops around dallas/ft.worth that do good metal work and or blasting for a decent price. I would like to drive the truck down to get the kick panels and door sills worked on while it still runs and not in pieces. Thanks alot fellas.

Skirkpat · 08-03-2009, 11:43 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Longhorn Man

the 71/72 frame is stronger and ligher.
Otherwise, they are probably the same.
If you are leaning towards the 68, make sure it has an indentation on the frront frame rail for the power steering that you probably want to run.

LHM, What makes them lighter/stronger, I just assumed that the frames were the same from 68-72?

Longhorn Man · 08-03-2009, 04:07 PM

a new alloy formula introduced in 71. I have GM ealer papers that go into detail on this.

Skirkpat · 08-03-2009, 09:03 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Longhorn Man

a new alloy formula introduced in 71. I have GM ealer papers that go into detail on this.

Thanks, So they are dimensionaly the same, just a different composition ? Whooda Thunk? Hopefully it is not thae same steel they used on mid seventies body panels ..lol... (sorry 73+ owners)

hilandr452 · 08-03-2009, 09:29 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Longhorn Man

a new alloy formula introduced in 71. I have GM ealer papers that go into detail on this.

I'm glad to hear my truck's frame is made from Rearden Metal.

Dan

Papaloo · 09-06-2010, 08:07 PM

Longhorn Man, what's the alloy used in the 71/72 frames? The previous owner of my truck did some welding at the the frame horns and on the driver side frame rear. I guess he pulled too hard on both bumpers. Anyways, I want to grind out the crappy welds and reweld with the proper filler metal.

Thanks!

**El Jay** · 09-06-2010, 08:26 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by hilandr452

I'm glad to hear my truck's frame is made from Rearden Metal.

Dan

John, please call Dagny.

Todd Hepler · 09-06-2010, 10:16 PM

I'm pretty sure John Galt was the engineer at GM responsible for this change

Longhorn Man · 09-09-2010, 03:05 PM

wow... back from the DEAD.
I am unable to access my stuff right now, and don't have a whole lotta time to be on here anymore... but I will see if I can dig it up and post it as soon as I can.

Papaloo · 09-28-2010, 06:12 PM

Yeah, I do appologize for bringing this back from the dead, but it was the closest thing I could find on this topic. I greatly appreciate you looking through your files for this info!

Longhorn Man · 09-28-2010, 08:22 PM

i've been looking man... I have a BUNCH of books and folders and crap to look through, and not a whole lotta spare time to do it.

03-30-2009, 10:22 PM	#1
jrdz2120 Registered User Join Date: Apr 2008 Location: dallas,tx Posts: 46	Need a little info please. I am getting ready to convert my 72 longbed to a shortbed. I have located a shortframe and bed. I looked for the last few hours trying to find any misc. parts I might need to pillage frome the donor truck. Other than rear brake lines and resizing my driveshaft is there anything I'm missing? To my understanding the trailing arms are the same and everything should bolt on. Also how heavy is the frame and bed because I have to drive 5 hours to get it and want to take enough people 2 including myself and tools etc. to drag it on and off the trailor.The bed is all steel and the frame will have front and rear suspension removed. Any information or input will be greatly appreciated. Thanks.

03-31-2009, 05:18 AM	#2
OARNGESI Registered User Join Date: Sep 2008 Location: CASA GRANDE AZ Posts: 4,276	Re: Need a little info please. You may wana take an extra person it sounds like you got everything youll need __________________ 70 SWB STEPSIDE 70 BLAZER 09 challenger

03-31-2009, 05:19 AM	#3
OARNGESI Registered User Join Date: Sep 2008 Location: CASA GRANDE AZ Posts: 4,276	Re: Need a little info please. O yeah does both frames have same rear suspension set up __________________ 70 SWB STEPSIDE 70 BLAZER 09 challenger

03-31-2009, 05:20 AM	#4
JimKshortstep4x4 Senior Member Join Date: Jul 2001 Location: Muskegon,MI,USA Posts: 6,026	Re: Need a little info please. With two guys you should be able to handle loading a bare frame easily. Jim __________________ 1971 Shortbox step side 4x4, 350 sbc, 3:07 rear end 1965 Impala SS 400 sbc, Muncie rock crusher 1966 Impala SS 396 bbc, TH 400 1969 El Camino, 350 sbc, TH 350 1971 Snowplow built on a Blazer frame 1972 GMC Short bed, stepside, TH 400, 427 BBC

03-31-2009, 05:47 AM	#5
Longhorn Man its all about the +6 inches Join Date: Jan 2001 Location: Hilliard Ohio Posts: 2,690	Re: Need a little info please. these trucks came with either leaf or coil springs out back, depending on the way it was ordered. Both set ups were avalible on both 115 and 127 inch chassis.

03-31-2009, 08:35 AM	#6
jrdz2120 Registered User Join Date: Apr 2008 Location: dallas,tx Posts: 46	Re: Need a little info please. Thanks guys for the help.Now I am looking forward to getting this thing done.

03-31-2009, 09:12 AM	#7
my67chevytruck Under Construction Join Date: Oct 2007 Location: Midlothian,TX (DFW) Posts: 4,555	Re: Need a little info please. sounds like your headed in the right direction..... upload some pics..... __________________ Heath subscribe to the board here: http://67-72chevytrucks.com/vboard/payments.php http://67-72chevytrucks.com/vboard/s...d.php?t=157669 FAQ how to's 1956 Chevy Apache 1967 C10 SWB FleetSide (under construction) 1969 K10 SWB FleetSide (Future Build) 1972 C10 SWB Stepside (Future Build) 56 chevy truck : http://www.cardomain.com/ride/2955823/1 67 truck build: http://www.67-72chevytrucks.com/vboard/showthread.php?t=281357/1 69 k10: http://67-72chevytrucks.com/vboard/s...d.php?t=389470

03-31-2009, 10:00 AM	#8
Boog laying low Join Date: Mar 2001 Location: Searcy, Ark. USA Posts: 13,514	Re: Need a little info please. Take a "come a long" with you. Those things are invaluable sometimes. You can use it to winch the rig onto the trailer. __________________ Boog 69 Chevy stepside, 358/T350, 4.11 posi, 4.5/4 drop, rallys, poboy driver primer is finer 91 Chevy sportside, Tahoe, Yukon & GMC Crewcab All GM..'nuff said. I stand for the flag and kneel at the cross

06-08-2009, 07:54 PM	#10
jrdz2120 Registered User Join Date: Apr 2008 Location: dallas,tx Posts: 46	Re: Need a little info please. Well I finally got around to locating a frame and bed. One is a 68 and the other a 71.My truck is a 72 is there any difference because I can get the 68 rolling and short box for 500? Anyone? Thanks.

06-08-2009, 08:02 PM	#11
oldblue1968chevy Grandpa in the rustmobile... Join Date: Nov 2008 Location: Spokane WA/Viola TN Posts: 11,422	Re: Need a little info please. id get the 71 if it was the same same price, 71 due to the frontend being disc already......... __________________ John Goose-1968 C10 355,9.32-1CR, Vortec Heads ,262 voodoo, 3.73:1 3OTT (HS ride/beater/farm truck) http://67-72chevytrucks.com/vboard/s...d.php?t=317684 Grams 53-1953 Chevrolet Belair http://67-72chevytrucks.com/vboard/s...=1#post4327784 1969 Chevy C10 Shortbed 4.5/6?" Frame off resto http://67-72chevytrucks.com/vboard/s...d.php?t=548136 1999 Toyota Tacoma 4x4

06-09-2009, 07:57 AM	#12
jrdz2120 Registered User Join Date: Apr 2008 Location: dallas,tx Posts: 46	Re: Need a little info please. The 68 has a 5bolt conversion allready. I was planing on using my suspension from my 72 since it has a lowering kit. Thanks.

06-09-2009, 05:03 PM	#13
Longhorn Man its all about the +6 inches Join Date: Jan 2001 Location: Hilliard Ohio Posts: 2,690	Re: Need a little info please. the 71/72 frame is stronger and ligher. Otherwise, they are probably the same. If you are leaning towards the 68, make sure it has an indentation on the frront frame rail for the power steering that you probably want to run.

08-03-2009, 11:25 AM	#14
jrdz2120 Registered User Join Date: Apr 2008 Location: dallas,tx Posts: 46	Re: Need a little info please. Well, finally got around to pickup my my frame and bed i bought 2 months ago.I will post pics soon, but i have one more question. Does anyone know of any shops around dallas/ft.worth that do good metal work and or blasting for a decent price. I would like to drive the truck down to get the kick panels and door sills worked on while it still runs and not in pieces. Thanks alot fellas.

08-03-2009, 04:07 PM	#16
Longhorn Man its all about the +6 inches Join Date: Jan 2001 Location: Hilliard Ohio Posts: 2,690	Re: Need a little info please. a new alloy formula introduced in 71. I have GM ealer papers that go into detail on this.

09-06-2010, 08:07 PM	#19
Papaloo Registered User Join Date: Oct 2009 Location: Southeast PA Posts: 57	Re: Need a little info please. Longhorn Man, what's the alloy used in the 71/72 frames? The previous owner of my truck did some welding at the the frame horns and on the driver side frame rear. I guess he pulled too hard on both bumpers. Anyways, I want to grind out the crappy welds and reweld with the proper filler metal. Thanks! __________________ Dave 1971 Chevy K10 1972 Chevy C10



Register or Log In To remove these advertisements.

09-06-2010, 10:16 PM	#21
Todd Hepler Rottenwood Garage Member Join Date: May 2009 Location: Marietta Ga Posts: 74	Re: Need a little info please. I'm pretty sure John Galt was the engineer at GM responsible for this change

09-09-2010, 03:05 PM	#22
Longhorn Man its all about the +6 inches Join Date: Jan 2001 Location: Hilliard Ohio Posts: 2,690	Re: Need a little info please. wow... back from the DEAD. I am unable to access my stuff right now, and don't have a whole lotta time to be on here anymore... but I will see if I can dig it up and post it as soon as I can.

09-28-2010, 06:12 PM	#23
Papaloo Registered User Join Date: Oct 2009 Location: Southeast PA Posts: 57	Re: Need a little info please. Yeah, I do appologize for bringing this back from the dead, but it was the closest thing I could find on this topic. I greatly appreciate you looking through your files for this info! __________________ Dave 1971 Chevy K10 1972 Chevy C10

09-28-2010, 08:22 PM	#24
Longhorn Man its all about the +6 inches Join Date: Jan 2001 Location: Hilliard Ohio Posts: 2,690	Re: Need a little info please. i've been looking man... I have a BUNCH of books and folders and crap to look through, and not a whole lotta spare time to do it.

Register or Log In To remove these advertisements.