Are 6 cylinder frames the same as V8 frames? - The 1947 - Present Chevrolet & GMC Truck Message Board Network

kxnomore · 05-21-2008, 05:41 AM

I'm considering doing a swap of the entire cab, body, engine, trans, running gear etc, from a 1972 longbed Big Block C-10 onto a 1968 shortbed, straight 6 C-10 frame. I'd be keeping the bed on the shortbed, of course.

But it appears the 1968 shortbed frame (original 250 6 cylinder) has a riveted in cross member near where the bolt in crossmember is on the 1972 V8 frame.

I am now second guessing the whole thing. Is this crossmember the only major obstacle/ difference and is this a relatively common process?

Thanks in advance.

sameyrasmea72 · 05-21-2008, 05:47 AM

The frames are the same.

Longhorn Man · 05-21-2008, 05:48 AM

They are pretty much the same.
In 69, GM went to a new much stronger metal... i can't remember what they called it... but i have dealer papers on it at work.
Cross members... I'm assuming the rivited one is for a manual tranny, and the bolted one is for an automatic?

For the best part, yes, the frames are the same.

bowtieboy93 · 05-21-2008, 07:10 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Longhorn Man

They are pretty much the same.
In 69, GM went to a new much stronger metal... i can't remember what they called it... but i have dealer papers on it at work.

i think you mean steel?

Longhorn Man · 05-21-2008, 10:44 PM

My fault, it was 71 that the chainge was made
I have a letter here from M.A.Sutton Jr, New York Zone manager, dated 7/17/70. It's a dealers' general letter (informed the dealerships what chainges were being made from GM... or GMC in this case) 67 - 70 were just heat treated steel frmaes, in 71, they went to a "High Performance heat treated steel"

05-21-2008, 05:41 AM	#1
kxnomore Registered User Join Date: Dec 2006 Location: CA Posts: 331	Are 6 cylinder frames the same as V8 frames? I'm considering doing a swap of the entire cab, body, engine, trans, running gear etc, from a 1972 longbed Big Block C-10 onto a 1968 shortbed, straight 6 C-10 frame. I'd be keeping the bed on the shortbed, of course. But it appears the 1968 shortbed frame (original 250 6 cylinder) has a riveted in cross member near where the bolt in crossmember is on the 1972 V8 frame. I am now second guessing the whole thing. Is this crossmember the only major obstacle/ difference and is this a relatively common process? Thanks in advance.

05-21-2008, 05:47 AM	#2
sameyrasmea72 Senior Member Join Date: Aug 2003 Location: Lubbock, Texas Posts: 2,443	Re: Are 6 cylinder frames the same as V8 frames? The frames are the same. __________________ 72 Cheyenne Super 80 Silverado Blazer 2wd

05-21-2008, 05:48 AM	#3
Longhorn Man its all about the +6 inches Join Date: Jan 2001 Location: Hilliard Ohio Posts: 2,693	Re: Are 6 cylinder frames the same as V8 frames? They are pretty much the same. In 69, GM went to a new much stronger metal... i can't remember what they called it... but i have dealer papers on it at work. Cross members... I'm assuming the rivited one is for a manual tranny, and the bolted one is for an automatic? For the best part, yes, the frames are the same.

05-21-2008, 10:44 PM	#5
Longhorn Man its all about the +6 inches Join Date: Jan 2001 Location: Hilliard Ohio Posts: 2,693	Re: Are 6 cylinder frames the same as V8 frames? My fault, it was 71 that the chainge was made I have a letter here from M.A.Sutton Jr, New York Zone manager, dated 7/17/70. It's a dealers' general letter (informed the dealerships what chainges were being made from GM... or GMC in this case) 67 - 70 were just heat treated steel frmaes, in 71, they went to a "High Performance heat treated steel"



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