69-72 swb on a 73-87 swb frame? - The 1947 - Present Chevrolet & GMC Truck Message Board Network

Dano69c10 · 03-24-2005, 07:10 PM

A friend wanted me to ask you guys if a 69-72 swb truck can be transplanted onto a 73-87 swb frame. Are the wheelbases the same and are the cab/rad support mounts the same or would they have to be repositioned?
Thanx in advance
Dano

67cst · 03-24-2005, 07:30 PM

hey dan, ive tried this and it doesnt work, the frames are different, as in the rails start angling up sooner on the later year frames and the cabs dont sit flat. trust me it was a major headache and i finally gave up, get the right frame and everything will bolt on...just my 2 cents

Dano69c10 · 03-24-2005, 11:50 PM

My friend was not happy to hear this, he has a 73 swb frame he bought today. I told him not to buy it until we found out, but...
Dano

72 CustomCamper · 03-25-2005, 12:20 AM

PM Mudder67, his truck is on a later model frame. I'm sure he can walk you and your buddy through what has to be done...

Chuck

Mudder · 03-25-2005, 07:57 AM

Mine is a 4x4 and I used a body lift. Knowing now what I didnt know then is I could have gotten by with less body lift.

jamal · 04-25-2005, 09:33 PM

Me and my father in law have run into a problem, he has a 71 chevy with a wheelbase of 117.5, but it shows they came 115. It was a long wheelbase that has been cut, bed, frame, and all was cut to make it work. It looks great but he dont trust the welds, and wants to swap to a 73 up frame which is also a 117.5 wheelbase. The truck looks great been painted and all, looks good so changing the bed to a correct length swb bed is not an option. the question is what all is needed to make this work?

Mudder · 04-25-2005, 09:52 PM

PM me your email addy and I can send you some info on how I made mine work. (4x4 only)

lukecp · 04-25-2005, 11:32 PM

If you do the welds right (like a Z-pattern in the framerail) and weld some plate steel on both sides it will be plenty strong.

jamal · 04-26-2005, 07:07 PM

I think we are just going to fish plate it (weld plates to it) Do you think it would be strong enough to weld them in the inside only? The welds on outside have been ground down and from the outside you cant tell it

chief bobber · 04-26-2005, 08:16 PM

Yes, a fish plate on one side will work, but do not weld a continous bead all around. stitch weld it(1"weld leave a few inches, another 1" weld leave a few). I like to start at a corner and weld 1" up and 1" over. I nail all four corners and stitch in between.
Good luck.......

03-24-2005, 07:10 PM	#1
Dano69c10 Senior Member Join Date: Jan 2005 Location: Ontario, Kali Posts: 2,427	69-72 swb on a 73-87 swb frame? A friend wanted me to ask you guys if a 69-72 swb truck can be transplanted onto a 73-87 swb frame. Are the wheelbases the same and are the cab/rad support mounts the same or would they have to be repositioned? Thanx in advance Dano __________________ '69 Fleet It ain't yours, if you didn't build it!

03-24-2005, 07:30 PM	#2
67cst i love summertime Join Date: Jul 2002 Location: Kelowna BC Posts: 4,303	hey dan, ive tried this and it doesnt work, the frames are different, as in the rails start angling up sooner on the later year frames and the cabs dont sit flat. trust me it was a major headache and i finally gave up, get the right frame and everything will bolt on...just my 2 cents __________________ 1967 shortbox stepside Chevy, 365 hp 327, th400. GLOVE BOX LIGHTS FORSALE, click link for info http://67-72chevytrucks.com/vboard/s...d.php?t=273724

03-24-2005, 11:50 PM	#3
Dano69c10 Senior Member Join Date: Jan 2005 Location: Ontario, Kali Posts: 2,427	My friend was not happy to hear this, he has a 73 swb frame he bought today. I told him not to buy it until we found out, but... Dano __________________ '69 Fleet It ain't yours, if you didn't build it!

03-25-2005, 12:20 AM	#4
72 CustomCamper huh ??? Join Date: Nov 2002 Location: Fredericksburg,Va. Posts: 3,369	PM Mudder67, his truck is on a later model frame. I'm sure he can walk you and your buddy through what has to be done... Chuck __________________ 90 Blazer Silverado 350w/ 700R4 and 32" Kelly's "I am a bomb technician. If you see me running try to keep up!"

04-25-2005, 09:52 PM	#7
Mudder Registered User Join Date: Feb 2001 Location: East Central, MO Posts: 11,336	PM me your email addy and I can send you some info on how I made mine work. (4x4 only) Last edited by Mudder; 04-25-2005 at 09:55 PM.

03-25-2005, 07:57 AM	#5
Mudder Registered User Join Date: Feb 2001 Location: East Central, MO Posts: 11,336	Mine is a 4x4 and I used a body lift. Knowing now what I didnt know then is I could have gotten by with less body lift.

04-25-2005, 09:33 PM	#6
jamal Registered User Join Date: Apr 2005 Location: Bridgeport, AL Posts: 363	Me and my father in law have run into a problem, he has a 71 chevy with a wheelbase of 117.5, but it shows they came 115. It was a long wheelbase that has been cut, bed, frame, and all was cut to make it work. It looks great but he dont trust the welds, and wants to swap to a 73 up frame which is also a 117.5 wheelbase. The truck looks great been painted and all, looks good so changing the bed to a correct length swb bed is not an option. the question is what all is needed to make this work?

04-25-2005, 11:32 PM	#8
lukecp Formerly yellow72custom Join Date: May 2001 Location: Austin, TX Posts: 7,531	If you do the welds right (like a Z-pattern in the framerail) and weld some plate steel on both sides it will be plenty strong. __________________ '72 Chevy C10 Mild 350/TH350/3.07. Ochre/White. Old high school ride. '70 GMC C2500 '62 327 4bbl/SM465/4.56-geared Dana 60. White/White. Project or parts truck. '97 Saturn SL DD. 1.9/5-speed. 40+ highway mpg

04-26-2005, 07:07 PM	#9
jamal Registered User Join Date: Apr 2005 Location: Bridgeport, AL Posts: 363	I think we are just going to fish plate it (weld plates to it) Do you think it would be strong enough to weld them in the inside only? The welds on outside have been ground down and from the outside you cant tell it Last edited by jamal; 04-26-2005 at 07:07 PM.

04-26-2005, 08:16 PM	#10
chief bobber Sanity is a state of mind Join Date: Apr 2005 Location: New Humpshire Posts: 93	Yes, a fish plate on one side will work, but do not weld a continous bead all around. stitch weld it(1"weld leave a few inches, another 1" weld leave a few). I like to start at a corner and weld 1" up and 1" over. I nail all four corners and stitch in between. Good luck....... __________________ 67 K-10 8ft step 250/465/timken 4 shaft/373 to 1 70 C-10 Panel Vortec V/5spd BW od /307 to 1 70 C-30 9ft stepside dump 350/465/ posi and a few too many other trucks, cars, jeeps, cruisiers, and M/Cs ...o~`o



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