71 K20 vs. 73 K20 frame dimensions - The 1947 - Present Chevrolet & GMC Truck Message Board Network

schoolbuilder · 08-07-2015, 01:13 PM

Hello, all. Does anyone out there have prints on these frames? I've been told they "should" be the same, but I'd like to confirm before I order a '73 gooseneck hitch for my '71 K20 Cheyenne. All the hitch manufacturers only list down to 73 for compatibility. Thank you.

brad_man_72 · 08-09-2015, 09:35 AM

Beautiful truck. I believe the 73 frame kicks up more at the rear but I believe they are the same width.

hugger6933 · 08-09-2015, 09:40 AM

I'm thinking that is is gonna work. If your still not sure why not have a welding shop fab you one up. I've had some homemade ones on some of the trucks I've had or junked out and they looked pretty good. Jim

**Jeff's bowtie's** · 08-09-2015, 12:16 PM

I think the major difference in the two frames is only under the cab 67-72 being flat and 73-87 curving up to allow room for the underside gas tanks but the part that goes over the rear axle is the same

**jocko** · 08-09-2015, 07:16 PM

Probably not relevant to your hitch question, but, 67-72 lwb: wb=127" ... 73-87 lwb: wb=131.5"

schoolbuilder · 08-10-2015, 09:07 AM

Thanks, guys. It does seem my frame measures the same as a '73. 34" outside-to-outside of frame rails over the axel. So it appears a hitch spec'd for a '73 will fit this particular '71. I'll be pulling my 32' 5th wheel camper that I used to pull with an '08 GMC dually. The trailer exceeds the posted GVW for this '71 truck, but I'm confident that with the tow package equipment I have and conservative driving it will handle it. It has the tranny cooler, what appears to be a 1T rear axel (8 bolt wheels) and a healthy stack of helper springs. I'll report back on how it goes.

08-07-2015, 01:13 PM	#1
schoolbuilder Registered User Join Date: Jul 2015 Location: Dalton, MA Posts: 4	71 K20 vs. 73 K20 frame dimensions Hello, all. Does anyone out there have prints on these frames? I've been told they "should" be the same, but I'd like to confirm before I order a '73 gooseneck hitch for my '71 K20 Cheyenne. All the hitch manufacturers only list down to 73 for compatibility. Thank you. Attached Images

08-09-2015, 09:35 AM	#2
brad_man_72 the boat guy Join Date: Jul 2007 Location: springfield mo Posts: 2,339	Re: 71 K20 vs. 73 K20 frame dimensions Beautiful truck. I believe the 73 frame kicks up more at the rear but I believe they are the same width. __________________ 67, swb, fleet, tach, throttle, 5.3, 4l60e, 3.73's, fuel cell, 5 lug, p.d.b., 4-6 drop. great little truck 66, stevens drag/ski 18' silouette, 350, 2.02 doublehump heads. comp extreme marine 278 cam, vette 7 fin valve covers, old polished edelbrock intake, velvetdrive, casale v-drive, adj cavitation plate. 28, model a rpu project,

08-09-2015, 09:40 AM	#3
hugger6933 Registered User Join Date: Oct 2008 Location: Marianna Arkansas Posts: 7,280	Re: 71 K20 vs. 73 K20 frame dimensions I'm thinking that is is gonna work. If your still not sure why not have a welding shop fab you one up. I've had some homemade ones on some of the trucks I've had or junked out and they looked pretty good. Jim

08-09-2015, 12:16 PM	#4
Jeff's bowtie's Senior Member Join Date: Jan 2015 Location: Kearneysville Wv Posts: 3,960	Re: 71 K20 vs. 73 K20 frame dimensions I think the major difference in the two frames is only under the cab 67-72 being flat and 73-87 curving up to allow room for the underside gas tanks but the part that goes over the rear axle is the same

08-09-2015, 07:16 PM	#5
jocko Senior Member Join Date: Oct 2009 Location: Godley, TX Posts: 17,994	Re: 71 K20 vs. 73 K20 frame dimensions Probably not relevant to your hitch question, but, 67-72 lwb: wb=127" ... 73-87 lwb: wb=131.5"

08-10-2015, 09:07 AM	#6
schoolbuilder Registered User Join Date: Jul 2015 Location: Dalton, MA Posts: 4	Re: 71 K20 vs. 73 K20 frame dimensions Thanks, guys. It does seem my frame measures the same as a '73. 34" outside-to-outside of frame rails over the axel. So it appears a hitch spec'd for a '73 will fit this particular '71. I'll be pulling my 32' 5th wheel camper that I used to pull with an '08 GMC dually. The trailer exceeds the posted GVW for this '71 truck, but I'm confident that with the tow package equipment I have and conservative driving it will handle it. It has the tranny cooler, what appears to be a 1T rear axel (8 bolt wheels) and a healthy stack of helper springs. I'll report back on how it goes.



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