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. :chevy:

Re: Are 6 cylinder frames the same as V8 frames?
 

The frames are the same.

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.

Re: Are 6 cylinder frames the same as V8 frames?
 

i think you mean steel? :lol:

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"