57 Frame question - The 1947 - Present Chevrolet & GMC Truck Message Board Network

pmiller · 02-17-2003, 04:48 PM

I have a 57 GMC pickup and am trying to figure out what is wrong. The VIN says that it should be a longbed, but the wheelbase is 114" and the bed is from the wrong year. The engine is the correct 347ci, but am unsure if it is the original. Can anyone tell me if the frame rails from a shortbed were all one piece or if two pieces were welded together? I think that either someone cut the frame to a shortbed or put the cab on a shortbed frame.

Seon · 02-17-2003, 05:20 PM

It's not unusual for someone to switch the cab from a long wheel base to a short base. If the frame has been shortened you'll see a vertical weld that attached the frame together. There's vin marking stamped on the frame...I think it's located on top of the frame front of the cab..forgot if it's on the left or right side. As long as it's registered, there's nothing to be concerned about unless you're looking for match numbers truck.

pmiller · 02-17-2003, 05:33 PM

Yes, there is a vertical line on the frame. The reason I ask is because I wanted to see how original the truck is before I start working on it. If it is the original frame I might want to put it back to a longbed. I'll have to look for the number on the frame. Thanks for the info.

Seon · 02-18-2003, 10:54 AM

If it is suppose to be a long wheel base, then I'd just find a long bed frame and swap the cab, then find another bed.

pmiller · 02-18-2003, 11:33 AM

Do you know of any places I can find a frame? I did some searching, but was unable to find any frames.

02-17-2003, 04:48 PM	#1
pmiller Registered User Join Date: Feb 2003 Location: Chicago, IL Posts: 20	57 Frame question I have a 57 GMC pickup and am trying to figure out what is wrong. The VIN says that it should be a longbed, but the wheelbase is 114" and the bed is from the wrong year. The engine is the correct 347ci, but am unsure if it is the original. Can anyone tell me if the frame rails from a shortbed were all one piece or if two pieces were welded together? I think that either someone cut the frame to a shortbed or put the cab on a shortbed frame.

02-17-2003, 05:20 PM	#2
Seon Registered User Join Date: Nov 2002 Location: Northern CA. Posts: 503	It's not unusual for someone to switch the cab from a long wheel base to a short base. If the frame has been shortened you'll see a vertical weld that attached the frame together. There's vin marking stamped on the frame...I think it's located on top of the frame front of the cab..forgot if it's on the left or right side. As long as it's registered, there's nothing to be concerned about unless you're looking for match numbers truck.

02-17-2003, 05:33 PM	#3
pmiller Registered User Join Date: Feb 2003 Location: Chicago, IL Posts: 20	Yes, there is a vertical line on the frame. The reason I ask is because I wanted to see how original the truck is before I start working on it. If it is the original frame I might want to put it back to a longbed. I'll have to look for the number on the frame. Thanks for the info.

02-18-2003, 10:54 AM	#4
Seon Registered User Join Date: Nov 2002 Location: Northern CA. Posts: 503	If it is suppose to be a long wheel base, then I'd just find a long bed frame and swap the cab, then find another bed.

02-18-2003, 11:33 AM	#5
pmiller Registered User Join Date: Feb 2003 Location: Chicago, IL Posts: 20	Do you know of any places I can find a frame? I did some searching, but was unable to find any frames.



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