Anyone put a '60-'66 body on a '99-'06 4x4 frame?

[LuckyLightning]

Hi everyone,

I've seen something like this done on facebook once recently, but I'm hoping there are others here who have done this. I love the 1963 body, and I love everything else about the 99-06 trucks.

Has anyone here put a '60-'66 body on a '99-'06 chassis? If so, what were the challenges? What fabrication was needed? How did you integrate the dash (A/C, heater, controls, wiring, etc.)?

On the newer trucks I know:
- the frame is wider but I don't know by how much (long-bed)
- the wheel base is longer too (long-bed: 133" vs. the '60-'66 127")
- axles are wider too but again I don't know by how much (long-bed)

I've been told that keeping the firewall and floor on the '99-'06 would be the better option, and to weld/fab the remaining sections of the '60-'66 cab.

What other challenges would there be?

[padresag]

this does seem to come up about once a week
ron

[PGSigns]

Other things I see is a custom dash, radiator and core support, engine position in relation to body, bumpers and brackets, body wiring harness, and titling issues. Other than that I think you have the rest covered. My 65 is getting an 07 engine and trans and I think just going that way is a much better way to go.
Jimmy

[LVPhotos]

Look up Matt Hughes truck built by 2 Brothers Truck. Duramax and all.

[B_Bob]

One of my favorites. Hope you have lots of time, $'s, and mad fab skills!

[B_Bob]

Originally Posted by LVPhotos

Look up Matt Hughes truck built by 2 Brothers Truck. Duramax and all.

Here's a pic of the 2 Brothers truck.

[padresag]

both look like well done trucks and a lot of dollars spent. at least the suburban guy didn't have to sell his backside and have to put a toyo tires sticker in his w/shield.
I have always liked that suburban, it appears much more subtle than the pickup, which more than likely just paint that makes it look that way.
has anyone ever seen it since these pictures were taken a few years ago
ron

[LuckyLightning]

B-Bob, thanks for posting those pics. They are drool worthy.

[61_FL_Apache]

Those two are well built!

[LuckyLightning]

This kind of info is exactly what I'm looking for, thanks guys!

I also found this crew cab that was mounted on a '94 frame.

[B_Bob]

Originally Posted by LVPhotos

Look up Matt Hughes truck built by 2 Brothers Truck. Duramax and all.

Here's that link to the build thread. You can see just how much fab work goes into relocating body mounts, shortening the frame, swapping the steering column and pedal assembly, not to mention all the wiring.

http://www.2brotherscustomtrucks.com...ild_week1.html

[Captainfab]

What's wrong with your original frame? It is a whole lot easier to keep your original frame and just change the drivetrain and running gear if needed, versus all the work and mods needed for a chassis swap such as this. The '88 and up frames are way different than the '63-'72 frames. Not to mention the possible legal issues with a frame and body having different VIN's.

[LuckyLightning]

Hey Camptainfab. I don't have access to any fabrication methods. Everything I do will need to be bolt-in only. I thought it would be easier to move over the front clip (grill mount, radiator mount, quarter panels, hood), cab, and bed than to move over everything that is under the body (suspension, transfer case, transmission for compatibility?, drive shaft, power steering box, brake lines, park brake cable, front shock mounts, etc.) - nor would I know exactly where to place them.

I'm looking at a '73-'79 4x4 chassis (cab and grill still mounted) for about $400. I think that's a good deal. Would that suspension/drivetrain bolt right up to a '63 frame? (I'm sure a few new holes would need to be drilled, which is fine.) Or would the '63 body go on the '73-'79 chassis easier? What kind of fabrication is needed to put the'63 body on a '73-'79 frame/chassis? I know I'd have to drill new holes in the cab, and the bed I can figure out somehow. Does the front clip mounting need fabrication?

I don't have an air compressor with a chisel/hammer to remove the rivets. If you're saying it's a lot easier to do what you're suggesting once I have an air compressor and hammer, then I'd be happy to take your word for it and swap the drivetrain instead of the body.

[LuckyLightning]

(Not to mention, for the drivetrain swap, the need to hold up the engine to remove the front suspension...)

[LostMy65]

You will need fab skills to move your 60's body parts over to the newer frame.
Easier to do what Captain says. - period.
No 'And, If, or But' about it.
This question gets asked over and over and over again.
I understand why, though.
It gets asked all the time because it sounds like a genius idea when someone first thinks of the idea.
The reasoning is you get all the newer stuff by just moving the body over to the newer frame.
But ask yourself; 'how does one bolt all the front clip, cab, and bed to the existing frame that has different mounts, and different geometry? The front of the frame, to the middle of the frame, to the back of the frame rises and drops at different points at different heights.
Your body is already mounted on your existing frame. Why move all the body parts over to a frame that's a different shape and mounts located in all the wrong heights and places?
.
The Simple Solution;
(posted over and over again in these forums)
Roll out the old, roll in the new = a whole lot less work/fabbing.
And keeps your VIN #s matching.

[LuckyLightning]

Also, I have the option of doing the swap on a '62 3/4 ton (instead of the '63 1/2 ton)... are there any significant differences between the two besides the "X" frame and the torsion bars (versus coil springs) that would make a suspension/drivetrain swap more challenging?

[LuckyLightning]

Thanks Lost. Are you talking about the '99-'06 frames? If the frame geometry and ins/outs and ups/downs of the frame are different, won't the suspension/drivetrain also not line-up?

Apologies for digging up an old topic that has been discussed already. I would loveloveLOVE to find the threads on this topic, but searching for them is not easy (using any of the necessary keywords generates a lot of unneeded threads/posts).

[LuckyLightning]

B_Bob, thanks for posting that link. I just went through all the pics, and yes - WOW that is a lot of work. That's what I needed to know, that I'd be biting off way more than I can chew. It helps tons to actually see it rather than just be told "it's a lot of work".

I will continue to focus on a swap (of some kind, be it body or suspension/drivetrain) with a '67-'87 truck.

[LuckyLightning]

B_Bob, I also found this article in "Truckin" covering the build of the '66 to '06 truck.

[LostMy65]

Originally Posted by LuckyLightning

Thanks Lost. Are you talking about the '99-'06 frames? If the frame geometry and ins/outs and ups/downs of the frame are different, won't the suspension/drivetrain also not line-up?

Apologies for digging up an old topic that has been discussed already. I would loveloveLOVE to find the threads on this topic, but searching for them is not easy (using any of the necessary keywords generates a lot of unneeded threads/posts).

No need to apologize.
I seem to have a knack for finding existing threads on common topics.
I use the Advance Search very often.
In this case I would use the Advance Search feature.
Choose to search the 60-66 forum only. Search Titles only. Keywords; newer frame.

Here is one of the best threads on this topic;
http://67-72chevytrucks.com/vboard/s...ht=newer+frame

I did this swap myself on my 66 3/4ton.
I unbolted the old rear axle and took a newer 14-bolt and welded on a couple of Captain's prefabbed Axle seats. Got two new u-bolts made. Rolled the newer 14-bolt in and bolted it up.
Then unbolted the old front crossmember and took the whole front crossmember and everything attached to it from the same newer generation truck and rolled it in and bolted it up.
I think I had to wallow out one bolt hole.
Anyway, it's in my 66 build thread. I didn't have any fab issues or issues with things not lining up.
I now have a 65 on a 62 frame.
The upgrades with the above method would be a little more work, but still less than moving bodies to frames. Or, the very least work of them all to get upgrades would be move the 60-66 body to the 69-72 that is already a power disc brake, power steering truck.

[Captainfab]

If you don't have fabrication experienxe and equipment, then a chassis swap is definitely not something you want to do, whether it is a '73-'87 chassis or a '88+. I have done it and will not do it again if at all possible....and I have 37 years fab experience.

Converting a 2wd to a 4wd is not a simple task, but it can be done. But it does take some tools, equipment and skills. The '73-'79 4x4 parts will not just bolt up. Holes will need to be drilled and likely some modifying and fabricating. Regardless it is much easier to swap the drivetrain versus the body IMO. The '63-'72's have basically the same frame, and are easy enough to change the drivetrain. A 2wd to a 2wd is the easiest.

Originally Posted by LuckyLightning

Hey Camptainfab. I don't have access to any fabrication methods. Everything I do will need to be bolt-in only. I thought it would be easier to move over the front clip (grill mount, radiator mount, quarter panels, hood), cab, and bed than to move over everything that is under the body (suspension, transfer case, transmission for compatibility?, drive shaft, power steering box, brake lines, park brake cable, front shock mounts, etc.) - nor would I know exactly where to place them.

I'm looking at a '73-'79 4x4 chassis (cab and grill still mounted) for about $400. I think that's a good deal. Would that suspension/drivetrain bolt right up to a '63 frame? (I'm sure a few new holes would need to be drilled, which is fine.) Or would the '63 body go on the '73-'79 chassis easier? What kind of fabrication is needed to put the'63 body on a '73-'79 frame/chassis? I know I'd have to drill new holes in the cab, and the bed I can figure out somehow. Does the front clip mounting need fabrication?

I don't have an air compressor with a chisel/hammer to remove the rivets. If you're saying it's a lot easier to do what you're suggesting once I have an air compressor and hammer, then I'd be happy to take your word for it and swap the drivetrain instead of the body.

[padresag]

Originally Posted by LuckyLightning

(Not to mention, for the drivetrain swap, the need to hold up the engine to remove the front suspension...)

you could remove the engine, which would make it a little simpler
ron

[B_Bob]

Originally Posted by Captainfab

If you don't have fabrication experienxe and equipment, then a chassis swap is definitely not something you want to do, whether it is a '73-'87 chassis or a '88+. I have done it and will not do it again if at all possible....and I have 37 years fab experience.

Converting a 2wd to a 4wd is not a simple task, but it can be done. But it does take some tools, equipment and skills. The '73-'79 4x4 parts will not just bolt up. Holes will need to be drilled and likely some modifying and fabricating. Regardless it is much easier to swap the drivetrain versus the body IMO. The '63-'72's have basically the same frame, and are easy enough to change the drivetrain. A 2wd to a 2wd is the easiest.

100% agree with the Captain. I've never done the swap myself, but had a '74 frame and can tell you, they are not even close in the shape of the rail or position of the mounts. Once you get past '88, forget about it. As you saw in the 2 Brothers pics, it's a major undertaking.

My suggestion is that if you have a C10 2wd and want a 4x4, sell the C10 and buy a K10. You can bolt onto a K10 all the power options you want and not have to deal with vin number documents, fab work, or buying the many many many tools you will need to do any kind of swap. Otherwise you may end up like so many others, with a garage full of truck parts and no working truck.

Here's a thread to make you drool. This is what you can do with a K10.
http://67-72chevytrucks.com/vboard/s....php?p=5196125
It's called: 60-66 Chevy And GMC 4X4's Gone Wild

[LuckyLightning]

Thanks guys, you've given me a lot to think about.

Captainfab, I will always listen to your advice. The post you posted here do help a lot too. A '62-'72 is my new target, or just a complete 4x4 truck (if my budget allows).

B_Bob, you hit the nail on the head about my worst fear: a garage full of truck parts and no working truck.

Lostmy65, thanks for the advice with searching and posting the link. I guess I didn't realize there is an "advanced" search feature here that works so well.

Padresag, I would prefer not to move the engine if possible. I've done a swap on a '95 and while it's surely more complicated on the newer model, I would still prefer not to do it again on any vehicle unless I am doing a frame-off resto. However I do see the value with hooking up a picker and using it to "brace" the engine (hold it in place on the frame) while swapping the front suspension.

[LuckyLightning]

With the difference in frame dimensions, would the suspension of an '80 4x4 (front leaf springs) bolt up to a '63? Or would the leaf springs need to be welded to the frame? Is the width the same?

I imagine the steering linkage, power box, etc. will need to have additional parts purchsed to make them match up.