KY WTB: Suburban/Panel Rear Frame Section

[aotte1]

WTB: Need 63 to 66’ 1 ton Panel or 4x4 Suburban/panel rear frame section. About 10” from end with good bumper mounts. It needs to be 4 3/8“ frame height, at location in photo.

131” WB Panels have this frame.

Photo description: bottom frame is 4x4 one fixing; top frame is one that did not work, top frame is too short 3 7/8”, From 2wd 1/2 ton Suburban.

Please provide photo.

Edited per comments “60chevypanel” below.

Thanks

[1960chevypanel]

Hi Les, just to focus your search a bit more you should specify 63-66 Suburban or panel 4x4, or 1-ton panel.

The only 1 ton version of these was a 2WD panel. There were no 3/4 ton Burbs or panels, and no 1-ton Burb. All Burb and panel 4x4's were 1/2 ton.

I'll try to get a pic of a 4WD Burb rear frame section for you.

[aotte1]

Thanks for the excellent information on description of which Suburban/Panels can be donors. Edited initial request per your information.
Were all 1 ton panels 131” WB?
Photo will be great.

This is for 1966 GMC Suburban 4x4.

Thanks,
Les

[Brad54]

You've got a welder and cutting equipment, and some excess metal--cut and weld the replacement until it's the right contour and size.
Look at the problem from a slightly different perspective--you've got everything you need to solve it right there already.

[1960chevypanel]

I had a similar idea, maybe working off a cast of the original. I think what he's up against is he's trying to do a nice frame-off resto (so wants it correct/original) and also doesn't have anything to work off of since the originals are gone.

[1960chevypanel]

Originally Posted by aotte1

Thanks for the excellent information on description of which Suburban/Panels can be donors. Edited initial request per your information.
Were all 1 ton panels 131” WB?
Photo will be great.

This is for 1966 GMC Suburban 4x4.

Thanks,
Les

Hi Les the wheelbases for 60-66 were 115," 127," and 133." Yes 1-tons were always 133." I never thought about a 1-ton panel as a donor for a 4x4 Burb/panel rear frame but it makes sense. 115" (shortbed) trucks were always 6-lug, regardless of whether they were pickups or Suburbans. Interesting footnote, 1/2 ton and 3/4 ton 4x4 pickups use the same exact frame since 4WD frames are all heavy duty.

Hopefully get pics Mon/Tues. Btw emailed you back yesterday about your harnesses.

-Pat

[aotte1]

Brad,
Have the same idea if necessary, however, would like to do an original replacement if can find one. Thanks, for the suggestion and confidence in my fabrication .
Plan is to make it look original.

Les

[1960chevypanel]

Hi Les here are the photos. Good news, it uses frame extensions in the back similar to the 60-62 2WD Suburbans and panels. Basically this is the same frame as a 4x4 shortbed pickup, with extensions added for the extra length of the Suburban. So you don't have to cut and weld back there, you can just get the whole extension and remove it at the rivets. And if you don't want to weld up front either you can use a 4WD pickup frame.

[1960chevypanel]

Poor lighting in that last photo, I'll try to get a better one next time I'm over there.

[aotte1]

1960chevypanel, thanks for the photos, what vehicle are they from.

Interesting how they sleeved the 1 ton frame down or is that the rear spring hanger showing in photo?

[1960chevypanel]

No problem. This is a '63 Chevy Suburban 1/2 ton 4x4 project truck.

[aotte1]

Interesting, the difference from model year 63 to 66’ on the rear frame extension for a 4x4 Suburban or angle of photo makes look different.
The photo shows 66’ Suburban rear frame extension for 4x4 model. (Rear bumper mounting ends were removed by PO).

Edited

[1960chevypanel]

Hi Les, 63 and 66 frames should be the same. I'm wondering if the previous owner did a frame swap to a later frame. That could explain why both the front and rear frame horns were cut off; he could have been trying to adapt the bumpers. Does your VIN number start with a K?

[60-66]

My 66 Panel and several others are one piece without those extensions . I have seen the extensions on other trucks but not all

[1960chevypanel]

Is that 2WD or 4WD? All the 2WD I've had are one-piece.

[60-66]

My panel I should have stated is a 4x4 .

[1960chevypanel]

Well the plot thickens. Originally they were adapting 4WD pickup frames to use on Suburban/panel, but I guess they moved away from that at some point. Still doesn't explain why Les's rear frame extensions are a different shape. The body dimensions didn't change so I don't know why the rear frame would change, unless it's a different generation frame.

[60-66]

If you have a pair of those extensions , could you see if theres a part number on them ?

[60-66]

OK , Welp , I was wrong. My panel DOES have the extension. Part number is 3821044-43 and is 63-66 4x4 115 wheelbase . My apologies. I could have swore it was one piece when I was under the crudy one and took those pictures for you Les . Looked at the blasted and painted one and the numbers are showing.

[aotte1]

Additional photos showing better detail, of Suburban 4WD rear frame bumper extension area.
(66 GMC 4 WD; rear bumper mounting area cut off by P.O)
I will look for part numbers on bumper extension and report.

VIN is “K” and is the K one ton style frame with the specific 4WD additional bracing, along with riveted correct spring mounts for 66’ 4WD.
This is the same frame as 64’ K10 with Suburban/panel rear bumper extensions rivet on. Believe PO added aftermarket bumpers. Other wise this Suburban is very original.

On further detailed investigation of the 66’ 4WD suburban bumper frame extension and same area on 2WD suburban rear frame. Their is a small area just behind the rear body mount where the 4WD and 2WD frame sections are the same height. So can use 2WD for repair.
Will post photo with mark-up of this location.
Thanks for all the help.

[1960chevypanel]

Here are some better pics of the ears on the rear frame extension:

[1960chevypanel]

Also checked an early squarebody 4WD frame, it doesn't use extensions. So guessing this one is 67-72. Les is there a part number on your extensions?

[aotte1]

Thanks for additional photos.
This is a 4WD Suburban just like your 63’ and 60-66 66’ 4WD panel. It is not a truck.