Question on 4x4 frames and best year (67-72) - The 1947 - Present Chevrolet & GMC Truck Message Board Network

**John Fabris** · 12-22-2009, 07:25 PM

Ok, tossing around an idea in my head of scrapping my current 67 short Fleet project that I have been collecting parts for, and considering a big block Panel that a co-worker has. Since I already have a finished lowered 67 short fleet, was thinking of picking up the panel and converting it into a 4x4 big block panel (I really regret getting rid of my 67 3/4 ton 4x4 burb).

I am looking at getting a 3/4 4x4 frame to put under the panel and was wondering if any one of the 67-72 4x4 frames (longbed) were better then the other years?

I know that I don't want 67 or 68 4x4 frames but are there any differences or advantages in the 69, 70, 71, or 72 frames?

**71blksuper4x4** · 12-22-2009, 07:32 PM

Are you going to get a burb 4x4 frame or a lwb 4x4 frame? Wouldn't you want a burb one for a panel? As far as a better frame between 69-72, I would say most would want a 71-72 as the axles would have disc brakes in the front, but axles can be swapped easy enough. 1969 I know can still have the old rockwell transfer case, as 70' was the first year that I am aware of the np205. Also, some of the 71-72 have an extra power steering reinforcement on the frame. Other than that, not much difference. Trevor

**John Fabris** · 12-22-2009, 07:46 PM

Hey Trevor, thanks for your response...

I doubt that I would be able to find a burb 4x4 frame as easy as I can get a truck longbed frame. The longbed frame and burb/panel frames are 127 inch wheelbase frames so I am assuming that I can put the panel on the truck frame, and will still have the panel frame for any extra support mounts and such.... If I am wrong, I will gladly listen to as why it won't work.

**71blksuper4x4** · 12-22-2009, 08:18 PM

John, I am pretty sure the suburban 4x4 frames are different than that of the lwb frames at the last 2 foot or so of the frame. I have a 72' sub 4x4 frame that I am going to be using for my crew cab short bed 4x4 project in the works, but I will try and look to see how it looks in the rear tomorrow. I don't own any lwb 4x4's, only swb 4x4's to compare to though. Too bad you don't live close to Iowa, as a member there has 2 different 4x4 sub frames one 1/2 ton, and one 3/4 ton. Trevor

rsavage · 12-22-2009, 08:46 PM

There is a member here JimmyFloyd that has a 70 burb 4X4 he was parting out. He might have a chassis.

**special-K** · 12-23-2009, 01:00 AM

PM olblue60@aol.com (John) and pick his brain.He is building a`67 4wd Panel.His is on a`72 Suburban frame.But,he did alot of searching and came up with an absolute comparison between the Suburban and pickup frames.I always heard they weren`t interchangeable and,IIRC,couldn`t find a reason why not.He ound diagrams with all the contours labeled,etc.

**John Fabris** · 12-23-2009, 01:43 AM

Will do! Thank special-K!

**special-K** · 12-23-2009, 08:16 AM

No problem,John.As I recall he ound the body mounting points was the main difference and,contrary to popular belief,the contours are the same or about the same.Nothing that couldn`t be dealt with.

duallyjams · 12-24-2009, 09:13 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by special-K

PM olblue60@aol.com (John) and pick his brain.He is building a`67 4wd Panel.His is on a`72 Suburban frame.But,he did alot of searching and came up with an absolute comparison between the Suburban and pickup frames.I always heard they weren`t interchangeable and,IIRC,couldn`t find a reason why not.He ound diagrams with all the contours labeled,etc.

He also added a 700r4 with the np205.

msgross · 12-24-2009, 10:36 AM

be sure to buy brake lines that match your frame, there are differences in where the rear line turns from metal to rubber...

Gene · 12-24-2009, 11:43 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by msgross

be sure to buy brake lines that match your frame, there are differences in where the rear line turns from metal to rubber...

I second that! I ordered a pre-bent brake line kit for a 71 and my frame was a 72. I had to piece together a short stretch of line to reach from the frame to the drop down bracket.

**special-K** · 12-24-2009, 02:32 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by duallyjams

He also added a 700r4 with the np205.

...with no driveshaft work.He just scooted the motor/trans/transfer case forward.Now the distributor isn`t tucked back so far,either.

**John Fabris** · 12-24-2009, 07:47 PM

Cool info guys!

Looked at the panel, its a 68 3/4 Custom with 396. Very little rust and not really missing anything... Some rear body damage but it does not scare me... Just gotta work out some more details, and have a lead on a 4x4 burb frame for cheap....

Livrat · 12-25-2009, 02:03 AM

I concur will the all the above comments.. yes the truck and burb frame are different.. but nothing that can not be over come.. mostly its the body mounts and the last 2 ft of the rear frame rails.. although it would be much less work to use a burb frame..

StevenB is building one as we speak.. using a 68 panel body.. a 68 burb 4X4 frame and all the springs, mounts, crossmembers,axles, etc from a 71 3/4 ton 4x4 pickup chassis..

Here are a couple on inspiration pics of one that was for sale that I found somewhere on the net!!

**John Fabris** · 12-25-2009, 12:48 PM

Great pictures Livrat!!!

Other then I plan to repaint my panel original color of biege, that is pretty much what I had in mind as ride height goes.... still staring at those panel pictures... Nice rig!!

Jtrux · 12-25-2009, 10:30 PM

If i'm correct ( I rarely am ) the 71-72 frames were also made with a different type of steel that was slightly stronger. I can't verify this but I read it on the internet somewhere and we all know that the internet is NEVER wrong!

**special-K** · 12-26-2009, 10:24 AM

Maybe they used that "Southern Steel".

gman · 12-26-2009, 04:44 PM

Livrat,

Do you have a link for that panel? I'd like to see it in bigger pics. Maybe some background too.

**special-K** · 12-26-2009, 09:45 PM

That was on Ebay.

12-22-2009, 07:25 PM	#1
John Fabris TOTY 2006 Join Date: Dec 1999 Location: Magalia CA USA Posts: 2,270	Question on 4x4 frames and best year (67-72) Ok, tossing around an idea in my head of scrapping my current 67 short Fleet project that I have been collecting parts for, and considering a big block Panel that a co-worker has. Since I already have a finished lowered 67 short fleet, was thinking of picking up the panel and converting it into a 4x4 big block panel (I really regret getting rid of my 67 3/4 ton 4x4 burb). I am looking at getting a 3/4 4x4 frame to put under the panel and was wondering if any one of the 67-72 4x4 frames (longbed) were better then the other years? I know that I don't want 67 or 68 4x4 frames but are there any differences or advantages in the 69, 70, 71, or 72 frames? __________________ John Fabris 67 C10 SWB

12-22-2009, 07:32 PM	#2
71blksuper4x4 SWB 4x4 Collector Join Date: Jun 2001 Location: Osage City, KS Posts: 5,156	Re: Question on 4x4 frames and best year (67-72) Are you going to get a burb 4x4 frame or a lwb 4x4 frame? Wouldn't you want a burb one for a panel? As far as a better frame between 69-72, I would say most would want a 71-72 as the axles would have disc brakes in the front, but axles can be swapped easy enough. 1969 I know can still have the old rockwell transfer case, as 70' was the first year that I am aware of the np205. Also, some of the 71-72 have an extra power steering reinforcement on the frame. Other than that, not much difference. Trevor __________________ TREVOR 1970 CST swb 4x4 (speedwarning,cruise,tilt,tach,8track, original red shoulder belts,tow hooks) 1972 Jimmy (soon to be Hickey cloned) 1971 Cheyenne Super 4x4 swb (tilt,tach,buckets, original blue shoulder belts,am/fm,cruise,tow hooks, dealer 8 track) 1972 Cheyenne Super K20 4x4 Custom Camper (tilt, tach, am/fm, tow hooks, bed toolbox, aux gas tank 1972 Cheyenne Super Crew Cab K30 4x4 Duramax, Allison, np205, buckets, tow hooks (CURRENT PROJECT) http://67-72chevytrucks.com/vboard/s...d.php?t=624819 1989 V3500 Crew Cab (454tbi, NV4500, np205) 1970 Chevelle SS (LS5 454,th400,8track,buckets,tach) :2004 Jeep Wrangler Rubicon (daily driver) WTB: 1968-70 Cruise Control Lever

12-22-2009, 07:46 PM	#3
John Fabris TOTY 2006 Join Date: Dec 1999 Location: Magalia CA USA Posts: 2,270	Re: Question on 4x4 frames and best year (67-72) Hey Trevor, thanks for your response... I doubt that I would be able to find a burb 4x4 frame as easy as I can get a truck longbed frame. The longbed frame and burb/panel frames are 127 inch wheelbase frames so I am assuming that I can put the panel on the truck frame, and will still have the panel frame for any extra support mounts and such.... If I am wrong, I will gladly listen to as why it won't work. __________________ John Fabris 67 C10 SWB

12-22-2009, 08:18 PM	#4
71blksuper4x4 SWB 4x4 Collector Join Date: Jun 2001 Location: Osage City, KS Posts: 5,156	Re: Question on 4x4 frames and best year (67-72) John, I am pretty sure the suburban 4x4 frames are different than that of the lwb frames at the last 2 foot or so of the frame. I have a 72' sub 4x4 frame that I am going to be using for my crew cab short bed 4x4 project in the works, but I will try and look to see how it looks in the rear tomorrow. I don't own any lwb 4x4's, only swb 4x4's to compare to though. Too bad you don't live close to Iowa, as a member there has 2 different 4x4 sub frames one 1/2 ton, and one 3/4 ton. Trevor __________________ TREVOR 1970 CST swb 4x4 (speedwarning,cruise,tilt,tach,8track, original red shoulder belts,tow hooks) 1972 Jimmy (soon to be Hickey cloned) 1971 Cheyenne Super 4x4 swb (tilt,tach,buckets, original blue shoulder belts,am/fm,cruise,tow hooks, dealer 8 track) 1972 Cheyenne Super K20 4x4 Custom Camper (tilt, tach, am/fm, tow hooks, bed toolbox, aux gas tank 1972 Cheyenne Super Crew Cab K30 4x4 Duramax, Allison, np205, buckets, tow hooks (CURRENT PROJECT) http://67-72chevytrucks.com/vboard/s...d.php?t=624819 1989 V3500 Crew Cab (454tbi, NV4500, np205) 1970 Chevelle SS (LS5 454,th400,8track,buckets,tach) :2004 Jeep Wrangler Rubicon (daily driver) WTB: 1968-70 Cruise Control Lever

12-22-2009, 08:46 PM	#5
rsavage Registered User Join Date: Aug 2009 Location: Alden NY Posts: 2,705	Re: Question on 4x4 frames and best year (67-72) There is a member here JimmyFloyd that has a 70 burb 4X4 he was parting out. He might have a chassis. __________________ 1961 C1 Corvette 1959 El Camino 350 TPI, 9" 4 w disc 69 Blazer K5 - sold July '20 2021 Durango RT 5.7

12-23-2009, 01:00 AM	#6
special-K Special Order Join Date: Nov 2004 Location: Mt Airy, MD Posts: 85,851	Re: Question on 4x4 frames and best year (67-72) PM olblue60@aol.com (John) and pick his brain.He is building a`67 4wd Panel.His is on a`72 Suburban frame.But,he did alot of searching and came up with an absolute comparison between the Suburban and pickup frames.I always heard they weren`t interchangeable and,IIRC,couldn`t find a reason why not.He ound diagrams with all the contours labeled,etc. __________________ "BUILDING A BETTER WAY TO SERVE THE USA"......67/72......"The New Breed" GMC '67 C1500 Wideside Super Custom SWB: 327/M22/3.42 posi.........."The '67" (project) GMC '72 K2500 Wideside Sierra Custom Camper: 350/TH350/4.10 Power-Lok..."The '72" (rolling) Tim "Don't call me a redneck. I'm a rough cut country gentleman" R.I.P. ~ East Side Low Life ~ El Jay ~ 72BLUZ ~ Fasteddie69 ~ Ron586 ~ 67ChevyRedneck ~ Grumpy Old Man ~ Last edited by special-K; 12-23-2009 at 08:13 AM.

12-23-2009, 01:43 AM	#7
John Fabris TOTY 2006 Join Date: Dec 1999 Location: Magalia CA USA Posts: 2,270	Re: Question on 4x4 frames and best year (67-72) Will do! Thank special-K! __________________ John Fabris 67 C10 SWB

12-23-2009, 08:16 AM	#8
special-K Special Order Join Date: Nov 2004 Location: Mt Airy, MD Posts: 85,851	Re: Question on 4x4 frames and best year (67-72) No problem,John.As I recall he ound the body mounting points was the main difference and,contrary to popular belief,the contours are the same or about the same.Nothing that couldn`t be dealt with. __________________ "BUILDING A BETTER WAY TO SERVE THE USA"......67/72......"The New Breed" GMC '67 C1500 Wideside Super Custom SWB: 327/M22/3.42 posi.........."The '67" (project) GMC '72 K2500 Wideside Sierra Custom Camper: 350/TH350/4.10 Power-Lok..."The '72" (rolling) Tim "Don't call me a redneck. I'm a rough cut country gentleman" R.I.P. ~ East Side Low Life ~ El Jay ~ 72BLUZ ~ Fasteddie69 ~ Ron586 ~ 67ChevyRedneck ~ Grumpy Old Man ~

12-24-2009, 10:36 AM	#10
msgross Registered User Join Date: Jul 2006 Location: Central PA Posts: 12,201	Re: Question on 4x4 frames and best year (67-72) be sure to buy brake lines that match your frame, there are differences in where the rear line turns from metal to rubber... __________________ The Garage: 1968 K-10 SWB - "Project Money Pit" 1996 Z-71 - "huntin rig" 1969 C-10 LWB (SOLD) "Project flip that truck or else" 1993 Passport, F@rd 1-ton (SOLD)"Project Cousin Eddie" My Garage Build "The 1,000 footer"

12-24-2009, 07:47 PM	#13
John Fabris TOTY 2006 Join Date: Dec 1999 Location: Magalia CA USA Posts: 2,270	Re: Question on 4x4 frames and best year (67-72) Cool info guys! Looked at the panel, its a 68 3/4 Custom with 396. Very little rust and not really missing anything... Some rear body damage but it does not scare me... Just gotta work out some more details, and have a lead on a 4x4 burb frame for cheap.... __________________ John Fabris 67 C10 SWB

12-25-2009, 02:03 AM	#14
Livrat Member #1049 Join Date: Jun 2000 Location: Troy Montana Posts: 3,940	Re: Question on 4x4 frames and best year (67-72) I concur will the all the above comments.. yes the truck and burb frame are different.. but nothing that can not be over come.. mostly its the body mounts and the last 2 ft of the rear frame rails.. although it would be much less work to use a burb frame.. StevenB is building one as we speak.. using a 68 panel body.. a 68 burb 4X4 frame and all the springs, mounts, crossmembers,axles, etc from a 71 3/4 ton 4x4 pickup chassis.. Here are a couple on inspiration pics of one that was for sale that I found somewhere on the net!! Attached Images

12-25-2009, 12:48 PM	#15
John Fabris TOTY 2006 Join Date: Dec 1999 Location: Magalia CA USA Posts: 2,270	Re: Question on 4x4 frames and best year (67-72) Great pictures Livrat!!! Other then I plan to repaint my panel original color of biege, that is pretty much what I had in mind as ride height goes.... still staring at those panel pictures... Nice rig!! __________________ John Fabris 67 C10 SWB

12-25-2009, 10:30 PM	#16
Jtrux I'm a poor spectator Join Date: Aug 2006 Location: San Antonio, Tx Posts: 2,287	Re: Question on 4x4 frames and best year (67-72) If i'm correct ( I rarely am ) the 71-72 frames were also made with a different type of steel that was slightly stronger. I can't verify this but I read it on the internet somewhere and we all know that the internet is NEVER wrong! __________________ 2006 Jeep Unlimited IMPACT ORANGE 1993 Chevy 2500 4x4 ExCab LWB 454/NV4500 Tow rig 1977 Ford F100 2x4 LWB 1st truck I owned, still have it!!! 1979 Ford F150 4x4 SWB Built Ford Tough!!! 1971 Chevy Blazer 350 / SM465 / NP205 UNDER CONSTRUCTION Soon to have a LQ4 6.0!!!

12-26-2009, 10:24 AM	#17
special-K Special Order Join Date: Nov 2004 Location: Mt Airy, MD Posts: 85,851	Re: Question on 4x4 frames and best year (67-72) Maybe they used that "Southern Steel". __________________ "BUILDING A BETTER WAY TO SERVE THE USA"......67/72......"The New Breed" GMC '67 C1500 Wideside Super Custom SWB: 327/M22/3.42 posi.........."The '67" (project) GMC '72 K2500 Wideside Sierra Custom Camper: 350/TH350/4.10 Power-Lok..."The '72" (rolling) Tim "Don't call me a redneck. I'm a rough cut country gentleman" R.I.P. ~ East Side Low Life ~ El Jay ~ 72BLUZ ~ Fasteddie69 ~ Ron586 ~ 67ChevyRedneck ~ Grumpy Old Man ~

12-26-2009, 04:44 PM	#18
gman Registered User Join Date: Nov 2000 Location: Ogden, Utah Posts: 290	Re: Question on 4x4 frames and best year (67-72) Livrat, Do you have a link for that panel? I'd like to see it in bigger pics. Maybe some background too. __________________ 72 Chevy SWB Custom Deluxe K10, 350/SM465, PS, PB, Fact. Air 2000 Harley...Wide Glide



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12-26-2009, 09:45 PM	#19
special-K Special Order Join Date: Nov 2004 Location: Mt Airy, MD Posts: 85,851	Re: Question on 4x4 frames and best year (67-72) That was on Ebay. __________________ "BUILDING A BETTER WAY TO SERVE THE USA"......67/72......"The New Breed" GMC '67 C1500 Wideside Super Custom SWB: 327/M22/3.42 posi.........."The '67" (project) GMC '72 K2500 Wideside Sierra Custom Camper: 350/TH350/4.10 Power-Lok..."The '72" (rolling) Tim "Don't call me a redneck. I'm a rough cut country gentleman" R.I.P. ~ East Side Low Life ~ El Jay ~ 72BLUZ ~ Fasteddie69 ~ Ron586 ~ 67ChevyRedneck ~ Grumpy Old Man ~

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