Frame identification questions w/pics

[88k5jimmy]

I have a frame I need your opinions on as to if it is indeed a 65 short wide frame. I have already had the numbers ran on the frame and it decodes as a 65. The wheelbase is 115", so I know it's a short wide. I also crossed measured in about five places for straightness and none of the measurements were off by more than ¼". I know it will need a new front passenger side body mount because the hole is egg shaped.

My questions are concerning where the radiator mounts. From what research I have done, the radiator mounts are on top of the front crossmember and this frame has them down and behind the front crossmember. It also looks like the rear engine/transmission crossmemebr has been cut out. To me the front frame horns indicate it's a 65 (in lieu of a 67-72) due to how the bumper mounts directly to the frame and how the outside bumper brackets look in comparision to LMC catalogs. The seller also says those late model wheels won't fit over the rear axle flanges, nor fit correctly on the front hubs, which is obvious in the pics. Please give me your overall opinion.

https://plus.google.com/photos/11741...21767568511569

Thanks

[kieth]

Originally Posted by 88k5jimmy

I have a frame I need your opinions on as to if it is indeed a 65 short wide frame. I have already had the numbers ran on the frame and it decodes as a 65. The wheelbase is 115", so I know it's a short wide. I also crossed measured in about five places for straightness and none of the measurements were off by more than ¼". I know it will need a new front passenger side body mount because the hole is egg shaped.

My questions are concerning where the radiator mounts. From what research I have done, the radiator mounts are on top of the front crossmember and this frame has them down and behind the front crossmember. It also looks like the rear engine/transmission crossmemebr has been cut out. To me the front frame horns indicate it's a 65 (in lieu of a 67-72) due to how the bumper mounts directly to the frame and how the outside bumper brackets look in comparision to LMC catalogs. The seller also says those late model wheels won't fit over the rear axle flanges, nor fit correctly on the front hubs, which is obvious in the pics. Please give me your overall opinion.

https://plus.google.com/photos/11741...21767568511569

Thanks

come over and take a look, I have 2 bare 65 swb frames on the ground, 1 is a chevy and the other is a gmc you are more than welcome to compare them to the one in the pictures. Kieth

[1963c-10]

the fleetsides and stepsides used the same frame....only difference was bed mounting location. any pics of the frame in question?

[1963c-10]

sorry, just saw the picture link...

[aggie91]

From what I see in the pictures, that frame looks to be in good shape. It is a 64-66 SWB frame, stepside or fleetside was the same frame as 1963c-10 noted.

The front radiator crossmember had the correct mounts on the lower part for the smaller 6cyl radiator. Not a big deal to change for a V8 radiator.

The code on the rear axle looks to be HB 12 05 W. Which indicates that origanally it was a 3.07 ratio, 65-69 rear axle, built on December 5th by Warren Gear.

The cab mount that is "egg shaped" does not appear to be damaged. That is really what I call an Oblong hole. It is that way for some adjustment side to side. I will check dome things at home, but I believe that is factory that way.

If your plans are to restore that frame for a truck you already have then, I would say get it. It looks to be a good solid frame.

[88k5jimmy]

Thanks aggie91 for all the info. That is exactly what I was looking for.

[jtrichard]

Originally Posted by aggie91

From what I see in the pictures, that frame looks to be in good shape. It is a 64-66 SWB frame, stepside or fleetside was the same frame as 1963c-10 noted.

The front radiator crossmember had the correct mounts on the lower part for the smaller 6cyl radiator. Not a big deal to change for a V8 radiator.

.

The cab mount that is "egg shaped" does not appear to be damaged. That is really what I call an Oblong hole. It is that way for some adjustment side to side. I will check dome things at home, but I believe that is factory that way.

If your plans are to restore that frame for a truck you already have then, I would say get it. It looks to be a good solid frame.

ditto .....plus that frame had a standard trans in it before and that rear cross member looks like its for an auto.. looks like someone removed the cross member that was at the bell housing ???

[Captainfab]

I agree with aggie91 also. The radiator crossmember is slightly bent forward too. Yes the bellhousing crossmember has been cut out, but the remaining crossmember is for the e-brake mechanism. It is not a trans crossmember. Even though guys have used them for a trans crossmember, IMO they are not strong enough for that. Just get a '63-'87 auto trans crossmember if you need one.

Also, before you purchase this frame and install a cab onto it, be sure you have the proper paperwork for your local DMV to make it all legal.

[tincan1966]

Looks like a pretty decent '64-66 short frame, with exception of a lsightly bent radiator crossmember. Looks like 6 cyl radiator mount location. I wouldn't worry about the slight oval shape on the radiator support mounts- you may want that adjustment later when aligning sheetmetal.

[88k5jimmy]

Thanks for the replies. When you guys say the radiator crossmember is slightly bent forward, are you taking about this pic:


Is it really bent forward or is that how the 6 cyl radiator crossmembers were? Or were the actual crossmemebers (8 cyl & 6 cyl) the same and the lower radiator mounts in different locations? ( 6cyl on bottom & 8 cyl on top)

Also, in this pic:



It appears the same radiator crossmember is slightly bent downward in the middle. Is this what you guys were referring to above in being slightly bent forward or maybe both pictures are a combination of previous damage, making the crossmemeber slightly bent toward the front of the truck and down in the middle..?

[Captainfab]

Yes the radiator crossmember is bent forward and slightly down. It should be perfectly straight. The crossmember is the same whether is is a 6 cyl or V8 truck. The 6 cyl radiator sits on the lower flange as shown in the pics. The V8 radiator sits on the top flange. You will need the correct saddles for the larger tanks on the 2 or 3 row core V8 radiator.

[88k5jimmy]

Thank you. Would you think that amount of bend would have affected the straightness of the frame rails or just pulled the crossmember forward, however that was done? If it doesn't affect the frame rails, I know PB fab sells a replacement crossmember so scrapping the factory one and replaceing it with a PB fab is a no brainer to me.

[Captainfab]

That slight bend should not have affected the straightness of the frame rails.