Frame Swap - The 1947 - Present Chevrolet & GMC Truck Message Board Network

biohazardbill · 01-14-2010, 12:43 PM

Hi, I am new to this site.

My family and I went to a local smalltown parade/fair and well we came home with a 65 long box fleetside

.

We have debated what to do with it and have decided to convert to 4x4. From what I have been reading on the web it states that using a doner truck from the years 73-87 that is already 4x4 is a good route.

I have seen several places suggesting this swap however have not seen any write ups on the possible issues I may run into. I have the doner truck already and will be cutting the body off this weekend hopefully.

Has anyone done this swap? If so anything i need to watch for?

I saw the thread on 65 3/4 ton 4x4 buildup however it looks like he is using a 69 frame.

Thanks in advance.

62gmc910 · 01-14-2010, 01:19 PM

'73-87 suburbans make good donors because the frame kick up is further back

biohazardbill · 01-14-2010, 01:21 PM

The donor truck we have is a 84 longbed

62gmc910 · 01-14-2010, 01:26 PM

you will have to find a way to deal with the frame kickup at mid cab

**Captainfab** · 01-15-2010, 12:52 AM

I typically try and discouragepeople from using a '73-'87 frame for a '60-'72 body swap. The '73-'87 frames are quite different than the '60-'72 frames when viewed from the side. When installing the older bodies on these frames, you will either end up with about a 3" body lift (which may not be an issue with a 4x4) or you will have to channel the box and front sheetmetal down over the frame. Either way it's a good bit of work. I have done one frame swap like this, but in a 2wd and didn't like it....but that's what the customer wanted.

If you're wanting to convert your '65 to a 4x4, I would recommend keeping the '65 frame and putting the '84 suspension and axles under the '65 frame. IMO it would be about the same amount of work and the end result would be better.

biohazardbill · 01-15-2010, 10:15 AM

Thats something good to think about. The donor truck actually already has a 3" body lift that I was already looking into cutting for spacers if need be.

I am going to remove the body from both and look at the differences and I guess decide from there whuch way I should go. Moving the suspensions over shouldnt be too bad.

Will keep you posted.

70 Suburban · 01-15-2010, 10:20 AM

I agree with the Captain. Its not any more or maybe less work to install you suspension from the other truck to your 60-66.

62gmc910 · 01-15-2010, 04:04 PM

yeah it is prolly easier to go with mods to the origonal frame some how i forgot about floor height Woops

biohazardbill · 03-21-2010, 08:31 PM

Well finally got started...

Both bodies are off.... we decided to go with the 84 frame and leave the suspension as is. We have ground the rivets off the old body mounts and radiator support and looking at what it will take to make this work. It appears i may have to body lift as stated before, however it looks like it may only be the front 4 mounts.

ruffrida2005 · 03-21-2010, 09:23 PM

Look at Jason65's High life light thread, He's doing the same mod. And welcome to the dark side.

biohazardbill · 03-22-2010, 09:10 AM

Well before i got rid of the old frame... i measured center of front wheel to center of rear wheel. It appears that the 84 wb is 6 inches longer... i may have to go the other route now. I will check out the thread you referenced... ugh

flips72 · 03-29-2010, 08:37 PM

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biohazardbill · 05-26-2010, 10:00 AM

Well progress has been made. It is hard to find lift parts for these things. What we ended up doing was taking the rear spring mounts and fabbing new ones that would accomodate springs from 73-87 models. They bolt in the factory rear location. The rear also incorprates a shackle flip which will give 4" by itself

Now looking for information and pics on the front mounts on a stock 4x4 from this era so I can recreate them as well to accomodate 73-87 springs.

srr · 05-27-2010, 02:31 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by biohazardbill

Well progress has been made. It is hard to find lift parts for these things. What we ended up doing was taking the rear spring mounts and fabbing new ones that would accommodate springs from 73-87 models. They bolt in the factory rear location. The rear also incorporates a shackle flip which will give 4" by itself

Now looking for information and pics on the front mounts on a stock 4x4 from this era so I can recreate them as well to accommodate 73-87 springs.

biohazardbill · 05-27-2010, 10:07 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by srr

I should probably start a build thread but there are so many already lol.. I will snap some this weekend.

01-14-2010, 12:43 PM	#1
biohazardbill Registered User Join Date: Jan 2010 Location: Forsyth, Ga Posts: 1,012	Frame Swap Hi, I am new to this site. My family and I went to a local smalltown parade/fair and well we came home with a 65 long box fleetside . We have debated what to do with it and have decided to convert to 4x4. From what I have been reading on the web it states that using a doner truck from the years 73-87 that is already 4x4 is a good route. I have seen several places suggesting this swap however have not seen any write ups on the possible issues I may run into. I have the doner truck already and will be cutting the body off this weekend hopefully. Has anyone done this swap? If so anything i need to watch for? I saw the thread on 65 3/4 ton 4x4 buildup however it looks like he is using a 69 frame. Thanks in advance.

01-14-2010, 01:19 PM	#2
62gmc910 Registered User Join Date: Nov 2009 Location: Cremona AB Canada Posts: 370	Re: Frame Swap '73-87 suburbans make good donors because the frame kick up is further back __________________ 62 GMC 910 short fleetside 454 super t10 14 bolt w/gov lock 70s c20 front discs (built in the 80s) 65 GMC 930 dualwheel 292 4spd all origonal 39k mi(my sons truck) 63 GMC 950 camperized school bus, (Gus the bus) 350 4speed 2 speed rear 64 GMC 950 "spare" bus 283? 4speed detroit locker 53 GMC 1ton dual wheel bus 78 GMC c25 short course off road race truck(son's truck) 355 th400 14 bolt (www.wheel2wheel.ca) 88 Peterbilt 379 longhood (hauls race truck)

01-14-2010, 01:21 PM	#3
biohazardbill Registered User Join Date: Jan 2010 Location: Forsyth, Ga Posts: 1,012	Re: Frame Swap The donor truck we have is a 84 longbed

01-14-2010, 01:26 PM	#4
62gmc910 Registered User Join Date: Nov 2009 Location: Cremona AB Canada Posts: 370	Re: Frame Swap you will have to find a way to deal with the frame kickup at mid cab __________________ 62 GMC 910 short fleetside 454 super t10 14 bolt w/gov lock 70s c20 front discs (built in the 80s) 65 GMC 930 dualwheel 292 4spd all origonal 39k mi(my sons truck) 63 GMC 950 camperized school bus, (Gus the bus) 350 4speed 2 speed rear 64 GMC 950 "spare" bus 283? 4speed detroit locker 53 GMC 1ton dual wheel bus 78 GMC c25 short course off road race truck(son's truck) 355 th400 14 bolt (www.wheel2wheel.ca) 88 Peterbilt 379 longhood (hauls race truck)

01-15-2010, 12:52 AM	#5
Captainfab 60-66 Nut Join Date: Mar 2007 Location: Coeur d'Alene, Idaho Posts: 23,246	Re: Frame Swap I typically try and discouragepeople from using a '73-'87 frame for a '60-'72 body swap. The '73-'87 frames are quite different than the '60-'72 frames when viewed from the side. When installing the older bodies on these frames, you will either end up with about a 3" body lift (which may not be an issue with a 4x4) or you will have to channel the box and front sheetmetal down over the frame. Either way it's a good bit of work. I have done one frame swap like this, but in a 2wd and didn't like it....but that's what the customer wanted. If you're wanting to convert your '65 to a 4x4, I would recommend keeping the '65 frame and putting the '84 suspension and axles under the '65 frame. IMO it would be about the same amount of work and the end result would be better. __________________ Power Steering Box Adapter Plates For Sale HERE Power Brake Booster Adapter Brackets For Sale '63-'66 HERE and '67-'72 HERE and '60-'62 HERE and "60-'62 with clutch HERE Rear Disc Brake Brackets For Sale. Impala SS calipers HERE Camaro Calipers HERE D52 Calipers HERE 6 Lug HERE Hydroboost Mounting Plates HERE

01-15-2010, 10:15 AM	#6
biohazardbill Registered User Join Date: Jan 2010 Location: Forsyth, Ga Posts: 1,012	Re: Frame Swap Thats something good to think about. The donor truck actually already has a 3" body lift that I was already looking into cutting for spacers if need be. I am going to remove the body from both and look at the differences and I guess decide from there whuch way I should go. Moving the suspensions over shouldnt be too bad. Will keep you posted.

01-15-2010, 10:20 AM	#7
70 Suburban Rods Join Date: Nov 2002 Location: Bryan, TX Posts: 1,398	Re: Frame Swap I agree with the Captain. Its not any more or maybe less work to install you suspension from the other truck to your 60-66. __________________ Just keepin it simple. 1965 C-10 Ext cab build. 350??(Does it count at 2 truck if I had to cut one up?) 1966 C-10 lwb 283 auto 1970 Suburban in pieces 1971 Blazer 4wd....restore someday. all factory CST 1972 Blazer 4wd parts truck still a roller 1972 GMC Sierra Grandee 1998 Chevy ext driver. 2005 F**D the wife drive...(cant fix women)

01-15-2010, 04:04 PM	#8
62gmc910 Registered User Join Date: Nov 2009 Location: Cremona AB Canada Posts: 370	Re: Frame Swap yeah it is prolly easier to go with mods to the origonal frame some how i forgot about floor height Woops __________________ 62 GMC 910 short fleetside 454 super t10 14 bolt w/gov lock 70s c20 front discs (built in the 80s) 65 GMC 930 dualwheel 292 4spd all origonal 39k mi(my sons truck) 63 GMC 950 camperized school bus, (Gus the bus) 350 4speed 2 speed rear 64 GMC 950 "spare" bus 283? 4speed detroit locker 53 GMC 1ton dual wheel bus 78 GMC c25 short course off road race truck(son's truck) 355 th400 14 bolt (www.wheel2wheel.ca) 88 Peterbilt 379 longhood (hauls race truck)

03-21-2010, 08:31 PM	#9
biohazardbill Registered User Join Date: Jan 2010 Location: Forsyth, Ga Posts: 1,012	Re: Frame Swap Well finally got started... Both bodies are off.... we decided to go with the 84 frame and leave the suspension as is. We have ground the rivets off the old body mounts and radiator support and looking at what it will take to make this work. It appears i may have to body lift as stated before, however it looks like it may only be the front 4 mounts.

03-21-2010, 09:23 PM	#10
ruffrida2005 Member of the longbed union. Join Date: Feb 2009 Location: Killeen, Tx Posts: 2,158	Re: Frame Swap Look at Jason65's High life light thread, He's doing the same mod. And welcome to the dark side. __________________ Paul 88 GMC Crew Cab dually, 454/T400 64 LWB 400 HP 350/350T Bagged, under construction! Sold most of it! 92 S10 Iron Duke 5 speed, 5/7 drop for now. soon to be bagged. Sold http://67-72chevytrucks.com/vboard/s...59#post4637759

03-22-2010, 09:10 AM	#11
biohazardbill Registered User Join Date: Jan 2010 Location: Forsyth, Ga Posts: 1,012	Re: Frame Swap Well before i got rid of the old frame... i measured center of front wheel to center of rear wheel. It appears that the 84 wb is 6 inches longer... i may have to go the other route now. I will check out the thread you referenced... ugh

03-29-2010, 08:37 PM	#12
flips72 Registered User Join Date: Jan 2008 Location: oldfort tn Posts: 1,183	Re: Frame Swap Please note that you must be a supporting member to post classified items. This includes but is not limited to What Its Worth, Want To Buy, Want To Trade, and For Sale. Please consider supporting the forum by subscribing. Further information on the subscription levels available are located here If you need any further assistance with that please contact any Admin for help. Last edited by 63 & 64 Bowties; 03-30-2010 at 08:26 AM. Reason: FS by non-subscribing member

05-26-2010, 10:00 AM	#13
biohazardbill Registered User Join Date: Jan 2010 Location: Forsyth, Ga Posts: 1,012	Re: Frame Swap Well progress has been made. It is hard to find lift parts for these things. What we ended up doing was taking the rear spring mounts and fabbing new ones that would accomodate springs from 73-87 models. They bolt in the factory rear location. The rear also incorprates a shackle flip which will give 4" by itself Now looking for information and pics on the front mounts on a stock 4x4 from this era so I can recreate them as well to accomodate 73-87 springs.



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