Frame help ??

[hotsam]

Hey guys I need some quick help from you all !! My 72 k10 has some rough spots in the rear frame. Ive found a very solid 68 2wd leaf rear frame here locally. I think ive read the rear hangers are different but I already have a set of those ready in the box. This frame appears to maybe have the humps or "turn-out" areas where the rear coils would have been on a coil rear truck. But this truck was definately factory rear leaf 6 lug. So my question could I use the rear frame cuts to repair my k10 if I swap in my k series leaf spring hangers ? Thanks I want to get this deal done if I can use this. I cant get to the frame to measure as it is a far piece away in miles. Thanks again

[hotsam]

I guess a clearer question would be does c10/ k10 have the same frame width/ leaf spring and perch width ? Assuming the c10 was rear leaf.. I guess if thats the same I could make the rest work..

[dozerbill72]

No they do not. Your comment about the bulges where the coils would be is correct. The 2 wheel leaf frame is the same frame as the coil frame. You could use the whole frame by swapping over you front spring mounts, and a body swap but thats a lot of work. You might be able to cut sections out of the 2 wheel frame from other places to fix yours, by finding similar dimension areas "I have done that before". Also a 2 wheel frame is a little lighter gauge than a 4 wheel frame. I doubt that it's enough to hurt a thing given these trucks really get used to there max nowadays. Good luck and hope this helps.

[hotsam]

Thanks DozerBill.... My thoughts were to use the rear clip from a few inches behind the cab back. This is a lwb frame and my k10 is swb. I was just gonna do the take-outs during the process.. So one more question do you know right off if the center to center of leaf springs are the same where they sit in the perch ?? I thought I might relocate my perches on the k10 diff if they were not. My frame is the worst at the front-rear hangers closest to the cab. I guess they caught all the years of debris in those hanger pockets

[dozerbill72]

I don't think they are, and if I remember correct the springs are not perpendicular to the rear end on the 2 wheel frame. I have one of each in the drive way I will get you some measurements tomorrow.

[dozerbill72]

One a side note Longhorn frame are straight in the back like your 4 wheel frame if you know of one of those around.

[hotsam]

Thanks for all the info and all your help. If this would have been just as simple as a rear clip It would have been great. I dont know of any longhorn stuff around here

[dozerbill72]

The spring perch width is roughly two inches wider on a 2 wheel frame verses your 4 wheel frame. That is not a difficult fix just one more thing you would have to do. What you are thinking of doing will work, but if your concerned with originality it may not be the best option. A Blazer frame could be made to work as well. The down side to those are they are even lighter gauge yet. For the record I stand corrected on the springs not being perpendicular to the rear end on a 2 wheel leaf frame, because they are. For some reason I thought they where at a slight angle on a count of the bulges for the coils. They used a different shackle hanger to make up for it. If all of your cross members and spring hangers are good you might see about just getting the correct rails shipped to you then bolting your stuff back on. I saw some frame cuts for sale in the classified section here that made me think of that. I wouldn't think two rails taped together would cost that much to ship. This route will be more difficult getting things squared back but could be done.