'60-'66 Body On A '73-'87 Frame

[LostMy65]

It looks like a 2002 2wd frame would work if you cut your longbed bed down to a medium bed - 119 wheel base.
Pink is our shortbed frame.

[LostMy65]

Someone in these forums used a 2000 Tahoe. for a 67-72.
http://67-72chevytrucks.com/vboard/s...d.php?t=688570
I'll see if I can find a Tahoe frame and lay our frame over that schematic.
A Tahoe has a 116" Wheelbase, ours is 115"

[LostMy65]

Here is our frame laid over a 2002 Tahoe Frame.

[LostMy65]

So, if your 2wd 63-66 frame is good, you are further ahead using your own frame and the 73+ crossmember and stuff - because the 73+ frame kicks up too soon under the cab, causing a raised look - which you may like.
If you're doing a 4x4, it may be easier to move your body over to the 73+ frame.
(6 of one / half dozen of the other)
.
.
Another option would be to use a 2000+ Tahoe frame and get the whole package with an LS.
But looking at the thread I linked to the member who used a 2000+ Tahoe with a 67-72, it still looks like a lot of work.
.
For myself, Even if doing an LS swap, If I had my original frame in good condition, with matching VIN, and I was doing a 2wd, I think I'd still just use my original frame.
.
I hope this information helps someone.

[Captainfab]

With the '88+ frames, not only is the side profile different than the '63-'72 frames but the width of the frames is quite a bit wider.

[LostMy65]

Originally Posted by Captainfab

With the '88+ frames, not only is the side profile different than the '63-'72 frames but the width of the frames is quite a bit wider.

Yep, you are correct:

[made2drag]

I'll go ahead and put my 2 cents in too.

A 2wd 73-87 is a great choice for a guy like me.

I have a 64 long bed, 3/4 ton with a seized up 3/4 ton rearend.

My choices are to:

1. do a 73-87 crossmember swap, shorten the frame and buy a 5 lug rearend

2. or buy a swb 73-87 and channel the already bad floor that needs patches and to weld the 64 cab mounts on.

Option 2 seems much easier and I can buy a 73-87 c10 junkyard truck for $200

[made2drag]

Added bonus on a 73-87 frame is it will have the better v8 frame mounts and an automatic trans crossmember and linkage pivot and I prefer leafsprings.

Not to mention the power steering box should be there and also a beefier center/drag link....

It's well worth the fiddleing with mounts and the frame will be 20 years newer and I think someone mentioned thicker

[jimmythompson1964]

Interesting information...In Tennessee the title thing is not a concern, when I moved here from Georgia, I went to the highway department with all my paper work my insurance and figured they would send me back home for something. To my surprise all they wanted to see was my GA title, they told me insurance paper work was only needed for the cops if you get in an accident
So the first thing I did after leaving was raise my uninsured motorist coverage....I can't believe they issue tags with out verifying you have insurance. It seems they just want the tax money.

[Captainfab]

To each his own, but as I always say, keep your original frame. The trailing arms and coil springs provide a better ride and are superior from a performance perspective. The entire front suspension can be switched out in a weekend. The frame can be shortened by a compentent welder in another couple of days.

[Derek Trogdon]

I have a 71 C10 long bed that I am wanting to convert to 4x4. Does anyone know what year range of frame I can look for that has the same wheel base that I can use
Posted via Mobile Device

[rvrfoot]

Did you look in the search?

[Captainfab]

The '63-'72 K series are all 127" wheelbase longbeds. The '73-'86 K series and '87-'91 V series are 131.5" wheelbase for the longbeds.

Originally Posted by Derek Trogdon

I have a 71 C10 long bed that I am wanting to convert to 4x4. Does anyone know what year range of frame I can look for that has the same wheel base that I can use
Posted via Mobile Device

[made2drag]

Anyone have a link with pics step by step while dropping a 60-66 cab on a 73-87 frame? Or a video?

[karlbenz]

Originally Posted by made2drag

Anyone have a link with pics step by step while dropping a 60-66 cab on a 73-87 frame? Or a video?

you doin a 2 wheel drive or 4?

[made2drag]

Originally Posted by karlbenz

you doin a 2 wheel drive or 4?

2wd

[made2drag]

If I bag it and notch the rear, the 3 inches of bodylift wont be too bad in the end. It would get me way ahead in the build as I currently have a 3/4 long wheel base and the front crossmember wouldn't let me do a 5 lug disc conversion. Plus it is easier for me to drop with leaf springs

[karlbenz]

that 3" body lift is going to leave a lot of frame showing under the cab. will need to channel the cab if you are looking to lower

[made2drag]

Originally Posted by karlbenz

that 3" body lift is going to leave a lot of frame showing under the cab. will need to channel the cab if you are looking to lower

Or a stock floor body drop?

[51Chevyman]

I have a 64 C-20 someone previous put on a 73-87 2wd 3/4 ton frame. Sits real high in the front, looks like crap to me. I would like to bag it so I can drop frame. I have several donors, 1- 78 Blazer frame 4wd, 1- 85 2wd 1/2 ton LWB frame, back half of a 73-87 1/2 ton LWB frame and the 3/4 ton it came on. I am thinking about welding the 1/2 ton 2WD frame front suspension to the Blazer frame to get the straight part of the Blazer frame to let the cab sit lower, then add 1/2 ton frame to back of that to get the length and add 4 link with panhard to get it low. Rear notched frame or just built from scratch. Whatever will work. Use Blazer tank to keep it in the rear. Want to keep a Long Box and use it to tow. Power steering, power disc brakes up front. Motor either 350/350 turbo or Caddy 472/400 turbo. Any opinions on best route with what I have? Thanks for any input. Hope to get started this fall/winter. It will be a patina truck.

[Captainfab]

All of the frames you listed have the exact same profile as the frame that is already under your truck. You will gain absolutely nothing swapping one of those other frames or combination of them under your '64 body. You have 2 options in my opinion. First is to put your body on a '63-'66 frame like it should be. Even a 67-'72 frame would work with a few slight modifications.The second option is to rework the PO's body mounts and also channel the cab and raise the bed floor to drop the body down over the frame. Then you can do your air bag suspension.

[Chevy Fleetside]

I put a 75 front suspension in my 65 and it really wasn't much work. I used my original 65 cross member and the later suspension bolted right up. Had to redrill the idler arm but that was easy. I will do it this way every time.

[51Chevyman]

I will have to figure out how to make what I have work, just need the time.

[djnordeen]

Hello Captainfab,
I was wondering where you get your frame images. I am looking for a 1994 Chevy K3500 Crew Cab frame specs. 168" Wheel Base.
Thanks

[Captainfab]

Not sure what you mean by frame images?

Originally Posted by djnordeen

Hello Captainfab,
I was wondering where you get your frame images. I am looking for a 1994 Chevy K3500 Crew Cab frame specs. 168" Wheel Base.
Thanks