1960 burban frame swap

[bigblackcat]

Just found a 1960 suburban/carryall and want to swap the frame from it due to it being damaged by the front frame horns. I was wondering if a 60-66 short box frame will work?

[Clyde65]

I dont think so, I belive it will be a LWB frame that will work. do you know the wheel base on your sub? I think 115" is SWB and 127 is LWB. I would also look at a 63-72 frame, 71-72 will have the disc brakes already and also you need to make sure you are looking for a coil spring rear.

[bigblackcat]

The factory specs on the suburban is 115" wb, same as the swb. My plan was to get a 63-66 frame, swap out the cross member with a 73 c10 cross member to get the disc brakes, then install a 70 coil spring rear end in it.

[padresag]

all suburbans were 115" wb . 63-66 are the easiest to put under. you have to relocate the body mounting location on the floors. on the 67-72 frames there are some differences mainly in the formation of the frt frame horns and some crossmembers are different

bbc. i did send you a pm
ron

[Captainfab]

Yes a short wheelbase truck frame would work. But as padresag said you will have to change/add the body mounts for the Burb body. A little FYI for you, any '71-/87 front suspension will work for your disc brakes up front. The 5 lug rear ends started in '71. The '71 & '72 trailing arm rear ends will be a direct bolt in into the '63-'70 frames with trailing arm suspensions. The '73-'87 rear ends will work as well, but with some cutting and welding to accomodate the trailing arm suspension. Also the '71-'87 rear ends are 1.5" wider than the '63-'early '70 rear ends.

[raycow]

Originally Posted by bigblackcat

Just found a 1960 suburban/carryall and want to swap the frame from it due to it being damaged by the front frame horns. I was wondering if a 60-66 short box frame will work?

I'm thinking the kick-up over the rear axle is different between the trucks and burbs, but I don't have one to compare. You can check yours to find out. If you find that you can use a pickup frame, look for one from a 60-62. The frames changed quite a bit between 62 and 63.

You will have to cobble the fuel tank mounts on the pickup frame, but that shouldn't be too bad.

Ray

[65sublime]

I think there is some step down in the last foot or so of the frame rails on the suburbans that is not common with the pickup. Something to look for....

[raycow]

Originally Posted by 65sublime

I think there is some step down in the last foot or so of the frame rails on the suburbans that is not common with the pickup. Something to look for....

That could be what I was thinking of instead of the kick-up.

Ray

[padresag]

here is a 65 suburban frame

By rondavid at 2010-11-05
ron

[Captainfab]

Yes that's right, I forgot about that as well as the rear frame horns to accomodate the rear bumper.

Originally Posted by 65sublime

I think there is some step down in the last foot or so of the frame rails on the suburbans that is not common with the pickup. Something to look for....