73-87 Frame Help - The 1947 - Present Chevrolet & GMC Truck Message Board Network

Tony71c10 · 03-15-2024, 11:21 AM

I have a 84 c10 2wd swb truck that just encountered some frame damage. I guy is giving me a free 78 frame if I want it. Question is can I used this 78 frame with the 84 body. Read that the front end needs to be trimmed but is there any other obstacles one my encounter. I'm hoping it's a direct swap from one frame to the other. Any help is always appreciated.

wazzabie · 03-16-2024, 02:16 AM

Why not take your frame to a shop to get your realigned?

Impact02 · 03-16-2024, 06:28 AM

73-80 frame is different at the front for bumper. Body will fit fine. If you want to use the 81-87 style bumper that will be your biggest work around.

Pontiac1976 · 03-17-2024, 07:59 AM

Quote:

Impact02
Join Date: Aug 2020
Location: Fredericktown oh
Posts: 36
Re: 73-87 Frame Help
73-80 frame is different at the front for bumper. Body will fit fine. If you want to use the 81-87 style bumper that will be your biggest work around.

and the E-Brake cables have to use 73-80 unless you take your cut your brackets off the 84 frame and reweld or bolt them on the 73-80 frame. The 73-80 frame is heavier. The trucks 73-79 have std bolt & holes nuts, as the trucks 80-87 have SAE and Metric mix.

**1971Stepside** · 03-18-2024, 10:07 AM

You don't need to cut the front of the frame. Cut the bumper brackets instead. The cab mounts are different as well. You can swap the perches or swap the rubbers. E-brake was different on my 85 versus the 78 frame I am using, but I have seen some early 80's that are using the same E-brake setup as the older models. I just put an 85 body on a 78 frame. Let me know if you have questions

Tony71c10 · 03-19-2024, 07:43 AM

Thanks to all for all information provided.

SCOTI · 03-19-2024, 09:00 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Tony71c10

Thanks to all for all information provided.

One thing not mentioned is the VIN will be different on the frame vs the body if you go that route. Document the frames VIN just in case it ever comes up (theft).

**PowerdbyChevy79** · 03-19-2024, 04:11 PM

Your body mounts need to match the frame.. not the Cab... front frame horns will need to be reworked to fit the newer style bumper... also the E-brake mount is different

**1971Stepside** · 03-19-2024, 05:45 PM

You do not have to cut the front frame horns! Cut the brackets.

**PowerdbyChevy79** · 03-20-2024, 11:24 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by 1971Stepside

You do not have to cut the front frame horns! Cut the brackets.

good info...

03-15-2024, 11:21 AM	#1
Tony71c10 Registered User Join Date: Feb 2017 Location: Houston tx Posts: 116	73-87 Frame Help I have a 84 c10 2wd swb truck that just encountered some frame damage. I guy is giving me a free 78 frame if I want it. Question is can I used this 78 frame with the 84 body. Read that the front end needs to be trimmed but is there any other obstacles one my encounter. I'm hoping it's a direct swap from one frame to the other. Any help is always appreciated.

03-16-2024, 02:16 AM	#2
wazzabie Registered User Join Date: Dec 2011 Location: WA Posts: 364	Re: 73-87 Frame Help Why not take your frame to a shop to get your realigned?

03-16-2024, 06:28 AM	#3
Impact02 Registered User Join Date: Aug 2020 Location: Fredericktown oh Posts: 39	Re: 73-87 Frame Help 73-80 frame is different at the front for bumper. Body will fit fine. If you want to use the 81-87 style bumper that will be your biggest work around. __________________ 69 Camaro Z/28 72 c-10 454 th 350 86 k 30 454 4 speed 96 k 1500 350 vortec

03-18-2024, 10:07 AM	#5
1971Stepside Almost Satisfied Join Date: Mar 2002 Location: Springfield, MO Posts: 2,928	Re: 73-87 Frame Help You don't need to cut the front of the frame. Cut the bumper brackets instead. The cab mounts are different as well. You can swap the perches or swap the rubbers. E-brake was different on my 85 versus the 78 frame I am using, but I have seen some early 80's that are using the same E-brake setup as the older models. I just put an 85 body on a 78 frame. Let me know if you have questions __________________ 1971 C10 Stepside. LSx 6.0 with BTR Stage IV, Speed Engineering Headers, 4L80e transmission w/3200 Circle-D Stall. 3.73. Posi. Purchased this truck when I was 17. I started the rebuild (or take apart) in 1993. I have drug it around all over the country in pieces. Finally back on the road in 2021. "I can't complain, but sometimes I still do. Life's been good to me so far."

03-19-2024, 07:43 AM	#6
Tony71c10 Registered User Join Date: Feb 2017 Location: Houston tx Posts: 116	Re: 73-87 Frame Help Thanks to all for all information provided.

03-19-2024, 04:11 PM	#8
PowerdbyChevy79 Senior Member Join Date: Apr 2013 Location: Houston,Tx Posts: 738	Re: 73-87 Frame Help Your body mounts need to match the frame.. not the Cab... front frame horns will need to be reworked to fit the newer style bumper... also the E-brake mount is different __________________ 1966 C10 "Mary" 1972 C10 Cheyenne "Betty" https://67-72chevytrucks.com/vboard/...d.php?t=847364 1976 C35 Sierra Grande "Mr. Harvey" 1979 C10 Silverado "The BIG TEN" https://67-72chevytrucks.com/vboard/...d.php?t=841339 1982 C10 Silverado "Lucy" C10 Club Texas -HMIC

03-19-2024, 05:45 PM	#9
1971Stepside Almost Satisfied Join Date: Mar 2002 Location: Springfield, MO Posts: 2,928	Re: 73-87 Frame Help You do not have to cut the front frame horns! Cut the brackets. Attached Images __________________ 1971 C10 Stepside. LSx 6.0 with BTR Stage IV, Speed Engineering Headers, 4L80e transmission w/3200 Circle-D Stall. 3.73. Posi. Purchased this truck when I was 17. I started the rebuild (or take apart) in 1993. I have drug it around all over the country in pieces. Finally back on the road in 2021. "I can't complain, but sometimes I still do. Life's been good to me so far."



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