Has anyone done this? I will be starting this project this winter
http://i75.photobucket.com/albums/i320/thayer03/61big-1.jpg

and I want to drop it onto a late 80's long box frame. Are there kits for the cab mounts and such?

Randy

I bought my 60 already converted. It has a 74 gmc shortbed frame under it. When I bought it they had messed up mounts beside the radiator and the back of the cab was welded to the frame(welds were broke). I went in and extended the frame supports for the front of the cab and bolted it up. Had to manufacture the rear mounts for the back of the cab. I love it. It has power brakes, power steering and 5 hole lugs. Only thing I don't like is the way those model pickups rode low to the ground. I want to put mine on a later model 4x4 frame. Just gotta find one first.
If you take your time you should have no problem.

i seen a 65 chevy long bed on a 73-87 2wd frame it kinda looked like the bed sat higher in the rear or maybe the guy who built it just didn't know what he was doing

1 the frames are the same widths in the places that count

2 the 73+ frames are about 8" longer than the 60s frames


i used the 66 body mounts on a 75 frame, i just used the 75 rear cab bushhing on the 66 mount [the 66 mount is outside the frame 73+ are inside] to give me a base line starting point.

the frames of the 60's truck are also a straight shot from the rear axle to the rise for the front susp, the 73+ drop down 4"ish between the rear cab mount and the rise in front. i used the 66 mount flat on the frame and made a body lift tube to adjust for evenness.

the 60's front clip mount is 3"ish closer to the fire wall than the 73+ and about 3" lower. i made an offset and rise bracket to connect the 2.

i was doing this on a 4x4 setup so body highth was not an issue, you might have a few more problems being a 2wd.

I think trkklr77 is right.....That's the way I thought you'd have to do it.................I'm putting a 61 shortbed on a 98 frame and there is a couple inches of difference between where the bed and box will sit...........I'm going to raise the cab to make up the difference................Hemmit

Thanks for the info guys! That's great to know.

Hi all
I have done it 2 ways both were a 4x4.
1st one I cut the frame on the 60s frame between the front and rear cab mounts and did the same on the 70s frame with lots of measuring I welded and plated them together then I had all the mounts from the back of the cab back being original I just modified the front ones where needed. I also have to say that it was a 60s gmc with leafs in the back

2nd project I did I kept the original frame and changed the front crossmember to the 70s 4x4 stlye and changed the leaf spring mounts to the 70s style in the rear
both worked well

Guys, can you tell me why you would consider this frame swap when it seems that we could use just about anything from the 60-87 truck for suspension? There is no sarcasm or any "tude" in my tone, just really curious.

Graham

Good question. I could see doing a newer frame like hemmit though.

I could see a 99+ because thoes trucks seem to ride smooth

i dont realy see the point for a 2wd but a 4wd the 73+ setup is better and more to swap the susp than the body. the only thing i see is for geting the coils setup and away from the torsion bar type.

I had a 98 GMC 1500 and really liked the ride that's why i considered using that year frame for my project............Hemmit