c10 frame under a 57 truck

[allen57]

i have a 57 chevy truck and a 1963 chevy truck. both are swb stepside truck. i was wondering if i could swap frames on them. im just in the thought process of it still, but i wanted to use ifs and trailing arm setup on the 57, and use the 57 all leafspring frame for a starting point for making my 63 a 4x4. i know the wheelbase is 1 inch longer (115" to 114") but i think i can work around that. it has the same bed and it looks like the body mounts at simular. and the frame is the same with apart.

i think it would be alot easier than trying to clip the frame with the camaro subframe i have.

ps i did try doing a search but i couldnt come up with anything other than the early advance design trucks wont fit them since the c10 frame is too wide

[truckdude239]

anything is possible just takes time and money

[Wrecker55]

It shouldn't be that big of a deal Allen, just fab some mounts that work , hook up brakes and steering and you should be close

[56hotrodred]

I am doing a 56 body on an 80 frame. The measurements that I looked at first was the brake drum backing plate to brake drum backing plate for seeing how the wheels would sit within the wheel wells, then the actual frame width to see how the body especially the cab will sit. The last one I looked at was overall frame length.

Other factors such as wheel choice, especially rim offset will affect how it all tucks underneath. If you are going 4x4 route then it is easier as you do not have to worry about the wheels tucking under the fenders.

With mine brake drum to brake drum was real close, frame width was exactly the same but the overall frame was longer. This meant that I could just take the cab mounts off the 56 frame and bolt/weld them to the 80 frame and fit everything else to the cab. With mine and other similar swaps I have seen we end up with a 4 or 5 inch gap between the cab and box. Sounds like yours will be much closer which is a good thing.

The most fabrication I had was with the front radiator support but I have worked past that one.

I did not want to be cutting any frames up, my 56 frame was little bent up and the 56 was also not all together thus the resto-mod route.

Hope this helps a bit.

56hotrodred

[joeys66pickup]

my 55' is sitting on my old 66's frame...Just swapped cabs and vins and that was literally it.Alittle height difference in the cab mousnt but that was easy to solve, it may not be pretty but its fast!

[allen57]

Originally Posted by joeys66pickup

my 55' is sitting on my old 66's frame...Just swapped cabs and vins and that was literally it.Alittle height difference in the cab mousnt but that was easy to solve, it may not be pretty but its fast!

do the front wheels sit much noticable further than they used to. i dont think an inch would make a noticeable difference but than i again it already sits pretty far forward in the wheel well and i dont want it too look awkward. do u have any pics of the swap?

[joeys66pickup]

i actually set my cab and bed alittle farther back an chopped of the horns on the frame to make it Just right...i will get some pics of it soon as i had to yank it all apart to final weld everything

[allen57]

Originally Posted by joeys66pickup

i actually set my cab and bed alittle farther back an chopped of the horns on the frame to make it Just right...i will get some pics of it soon as i had to yank it all apart to final weld everything

cool thanks

[Number 9]

Wheels look better forward of center then back of center.I do that
intentionally on a build. They are very noticable if they are back
of center and look wrong.

[allen57]

Originally Posted by Number 9

Wheels look better forward of center then back of center.I do that
intentionally on a build. They are very noticable if they are back
of center and look wrong.

hmm thats good to know. i guess i just never paid that much attention

[joeys66pickup]

yea if they look to far back then it gives it a weird look all the way around stance wise...i set mine ahead of dead center to give it the look i wanted

[71'tahoe]

Keep us posted Dr Frankenstien. I have a 56 cab and a 65 short wheel base chassis...Id like to see your truck too!

[BluTooth]

I have access to a 91 blazer 4x4 frame with motor, tranny, brakes and wheels but I found the frame length is 184.8 and the wheel base is 106.5 where the 57 length is 185.7 (real close) but the wheel base is only 114 (?). Would this be doable?

[joeys66pickup]

Here is a shot from today.....need to finish the glass install and a few other tiny things and be road worthy i shall

[71'tahoe]

Got any better pics..is the front end to wide? Looks like the wheels are right out against the fenders.I take it you are running a 7" wheel on the front?

[joeys66pickup]

i'll get some from the front.....nope 8" wheel and i can still put my hand into the space between it so maybe an inch of space left so i should be fine though im going skinnier to 6" for that big&little look

[71'tahoe]

Thats cool..the small pic made it hard to see. 8'' in the front will work for me. You say it was pretty much a bolt on? The cab to the frame..

[joeys66pickup]

i added longer bolts and taller bushings to make up the difference which was maybe 1 1/2"- 2" in the front and maybe 1/2" in the back....also i have later model front suspension(way later like 77' or something)

[fiddy9apache]

Originally Posted by joeys66pickup

i added longer bolts and taller bushings to make up the difference which was maybe 1 1/2"- 2" in the front and maybe 1/2" in the back....also i have later model front suspension(way later like 77' or something)

my 59 is clipped with a 85 c10 frame and used the rear end also. so far so good. i love having "fancy" suspension now lol

[joeys66pickup]

thats what i tell people(it covers all years 50-80 whooooo took em all out with one truck hahaha)