Has anyone ever upgraded frames to a 73 - Up Frame before ?? - The 1947 - Present Chevrolet & GMC Truck Message Board Network

dmnall · 08-05-2002, 02:20 AM

I have a question for anyone that has done this before! Has anyone ever upgraded frames to a 73 - 87 Frame? I am thinking I just want to upgrade my 68 LWB Fleetside to a 74 SWB Frame and I have access to either a SB Fleetside or a Stepside bed!! Will a 74 Frame be a problem of swapping my cab too ??

Blue_71 · 08-05-2002, 02:34 AM

cab mounts are different, and a 73-87 short is longer then a 67-72 one, and a 73-87 lwb is longer then a 67-72 one

diggin69 · 08-05-2002, 08:32 AM

Yes, my truck is on a 79 3/4 ton frame.

Mudder · 08-05-2002, 12:14 PM

When switching a cab onto a new frame. Make dang sure you dont get the cab so close to the motor that you cant get your distributor out. You will use the old cab mounts but they will be used on the oustside of the frame instead of the inside.

diggin69 · 08-05-2002, 12:51 PM

When I did my truck you will need to do the following.

1. get 3 inch body lift if you dont have high hump cab.
2. take front cab mount of of 67-72 frame.
3. take cab mount of the front of the donner frame & change with the 67-72.

4. bed will get 3 inch of lift.
5. cab in back will get 1 inch of body mount.
6. take 4x4 inch sqaure tube & add to the front cab mount on frame.

7. add 3 inch body lift to the fron cab mount & body bushings.
8. you need to fab mounts for the core support about 4-5 inchs
9. you will have to drill all new holes for the bed,cab in back,& core support, & that is to just make the body set level....... but it gives you enough lift to put 35's on it with no suspension lift & you still have room in the wheel wells.

It is alot of work but the disk brake is nice, the power steering from the 79 & having a 4x4 is awsome I dont see alot of 67-72 4x4 up here in Ohio. Just make sure you have help. I did mine all by myself removing everything BIG PAIN IN THE A$$ but in the end I think it was worth it!

Diggin 69

**68SWB4x4** · 08-05-2002, 01:03 PM

how is it an upgrade?
unless your converting to 4x4

Mudder · 08-05-2002, 01:08 PM

I think there would be some differnces. A 4x4 would be easier to change being that u can use a body lift to keep things level. Not sure about a 2wheel drive frame.

67 SS · 08-05-2002, 06:22 PM

Isn't there a 4-5" difference (wheel center to center)between the 67-72longwheel and the 73 up 4WDlongwheel?Wouldn't you have to cut the frame or move one of the axles to make the tires center in both wheelwells?

diggin69 · 08-06-2002, 08:11 AM

There is a little but I moved the bed back alittle from the cab seemed to me if you tweack the frame any you would beat the h*ll out of the cab " kinda like when F*@D came out with that new body style were the bed wrapes around the cab...... IF I had a better pic of my truck you would probobly never guuess it was a 79 frame.

Diggin

08-05-2002, 02:20 AM	#1
dmnall Registered User Join Date: Apr 2001 Location: Goleta, CA Posts: 505	Has anyone ever upgraded frames to a 73 - Up Frame before ?? I have a question for anyone that has done this before! Has anyone ever upgraded frames to a 73 - 87 Frame? I am thinking I just want to upgrade my 68 LWB Fleetside to a 74 SWB Frame and I have access to either a SB Fleetside or a Stepside bed!! Will a 74 Frame be a problem of swapping my cab too ?? __________________ 1968 C10 Truck LWB Fleetside 1968 C10 Truck SWB Stepside 1994 K2500 Ext Cab Fleetside 2008 Honda Civic Si lease

08-05-2002, 08:32 AM	#3
diggin69 Southern but in Ohio!!!! Join Date: Jan 2002 Location: Eaton,Oh. 45320 Posts: 467	Yes, my truck is on a 79 3/4 ton frame. Attached Images __________________ 1969 C/10 3/4 ton 4x4 longbed custom, frame made from a 79 1972 custom-10 half/ton longbed 1980 1/2 ton 4x4 all original 350/350/205 with air Eaton,Oh rebelryder@hotmail.com

08-05-2002, 12:14 PM	#4
Mudder Registered User Join Date: Feb 2001 Location: East Central, MO Posts: 11,336	Most important item! When switching a cab onto a new frame. Make dang sure you dont get the cab so close to the motor that you cant get your distributor out. You will use the old cab mounts but they will be used on the oustside of the frame instead of the inside.

08-05-2002, 12:51 PM	#5
diggin69 Southern but in Ohio!!!! Join Date: Jan 2002 Location: Eaton,Oh. 45320 Posts: 467	When I did my truck you will need to do the following. 1. get 3 inch body lift if you dont have high hump cab. 2. take front cab mount of of 67-72 frame. 3. take cab mount of the front of the donner frame & change with the 67-72. 4. bed will get 3 inch of lift. 5. cab in back will get 1 inch of body mount. 6. take 4x4 inch sqaure tube & add to the front cab mount on frame. 7. add 3 inch body lift to the fron cab mount & body bushings. 8. you need to fab mounts for the core support about 4-5 inchs 9. you will have to drill all new holes for the bed,cab in back,& core support, & that is to just make the body set level....... but it gives you enough lift to put 35's on it with no suspension lift & you still have room in the wheel wells. It is alot of work but the disk brake is nice, the power steering from the 79 & having a 4x4 is awsome I dont see alot of 67-72 4x4 up here in Ohio. Just make sure you have help. I did mine all by myself removing everything BIG PAIN IN THE A$$ but in the end I think it was worth it! Diggin 69 __________________ 1969 C/10 3/4 ton 4x4 longbed custom, frame made from a 79 1972 custom-10 half/ton longbed 1980 1/2 ton 4x4 all original 350/350/205 with air Eaton,Oh rebelryder@hotmail.com

08-05-2002, 01:03 PM	#6
68SWB4x4 Strongman Garage Join Date: Apr 2000 Location: Salinas, CA Posts: 10,241	how is it an upgrade? unless your converting to 4x4 __________________ Kalle 68 GMC Suburban 1500 4x4 SOLD 69 Pontiac Lemans 99 Silverado 4.8 5 speed ECSB [ Facebook Instagram Subscribe on YOUTUBE

08-05-2002, 01:08 PM	#7
Mudder Registered User Join Date: Feb 2001 Location: East Central, MO Posts: 11,336	2wheel verses 4wheel I think there would be some differnces. A 4x4 would be easier to change being that u can use a body lift to keep things level. Not sure about a 2wheel drive frame.

08-05-2002, 06:22 PM	#8
67 SS Registered User Join Date: Jun 2002 Location: NW ARKANSAS Posts: 258	Isn't there a 4-5" difference (wheel center to center)between the 67-72longwheel and the 73 up 4WDlongwheel?Wouldn't you have to cut the frame or move one of the axles to make the tires center in both wheelwells?

08-06-2002, 08:11 AM	#9
diggin69 Southern but in Ohio!!!! Join Date: Jan 2002 Location: Eaton,Oh. 45320 Posts: 467	There is a little but I moved the bed back alittle from the cab seemed to me if you tweack the frame any you would beat the hll out of the cab " kinda like when F@D came out with that new body style were the bed wrapes around the cab...... IF I had a better pic of my truck you would probobly never guuess it was a 79 frame. Diggin __________________ 1969 C/10 3/4 ton 4x4 longbed custom, frame made from a 79 1972 custom-10 half/ton longbed 1980 1/2 ton 4x4 all original 350/350/205 with air Eaton,Oh rebelryder@hotmail.com



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