'60-'66 Body On A '73-'87 Frame
 

This question is asked quite frequently, and I always try and give my opinion on the subject since I have done this once, about 20 years ago. At the time I was involved in building a truck which consisted of a '62 body onto a '74 SWB chassis, I did not think about taking pics to document the process. This truck has remained in this local area, but I just have never seemed to be able to get any better pics. That is until this last June at our local car show. I just haven't been able to find the time to post these pics until now.

As you can see, the stance of the truck is a bit high. It sits about like a stock K10. I don't remember for sure, but I believe this truck is running 31/10.50-15's. Some guys seem to like it, and others don't. While I'm not into the whole 'laying frame/rockers' thing, I do prefer a lower stance than what this type of conversion provides. There is certainly a way to do this conversion and have a lower stance, by channeling the body over the frame. It is my opinion that this is just more work than is necessary. As always I will recommend keeping your existing frame if at all possible, and just upgrading the suspension with the '73-'87 parts.

Anyway, on to the pics. As they say a picture is worth a thousand words.......

Re: '60-'66 Body On A '73-'87 Frame
 

A couple more pics......

Re: '60-'66 Body On A '73-'87 Frame
 

that conversion dont look to bad to tackle good way if you want to convert to 4x4 for sure. but like you said it does sit up in the nose bleed section. i still kinda like it though

Re: '60-'66 Body On A '73-'87 Frame
 

Honest question - couldn't that be brought back close to "stock" by going "spring under axle" and swapping in drop spindles? Not saying it's a better alternative than an older frame (I'm with you - I think it sits too high), but sometimes the opportunity of a good frame doesn't always present itself.

Re: '60-'66 Body On A '73-'87 Frame
 

when I saw this truck at cardlane I thought it was a 4X4..
I met capt the next day, he asked me if I had seen that yellow truck pulling the trailer the night before.. I said yeah, that 4wd?... :lol: he then informed me about the frame swap!

Re: '60-'66 Body On A '73-'87 Frame
 

So what's the difference in frames that makes it need to sit so high, is it because the drop frame under the cab doesn't drop as much as a 60-66?

Re: '60-'66 Body On A '73-'87 Frame
 

Yes, that could be done to lower the stance, just more work to do get just a stock C10 ride height. On the above truck, using the '74 frame was not my decision. I was wanting to locate a '63-'72 frame. And I do understand that in some parts of the country, good older frames just can not be found


The '73-'87 frames drop down a little lower under the cab than the '63-'72's, and then they kick up too far forward for the older cab to sit down where it needs to be. The frame behind the cab has a different contour than the '63-'72 frames also.

Re: '60-'66 Body On A '73-'87 Frame
 

this one that I am looking at, just for the body. it is on an 83-4, 4 x 4 frame. the fellow brought it up out of washington and it has to go through inspection before you can get it registered and I doubt that it would ever make it as it is still registered as a 2 whl drive. he is trying to sell it up here without being registered here; so who ever buys it from him has to try and put it through the process and you cannot get it inspected until it is roadworthy it is a bit of of a catch 22 positionwehter or not they will accept the frame change with out that being registered.
that body will save me quite a bit of work.
I have all good front end stuff and whatever it takes to repair anything else.e frames do need to be shortened a hair anyway to get the wheels in the right place
ron

http://img195.imageshack.us/img195/3226/img0619wj.jpg
By rondavid at 2011-08-23
http://img684.imageshack.us/img684/8224/img0618zc.jpg
By rondavid at 2011-08-23
http://img196.imageshack.us/img196/5720/img0617pj.jpg
By rondavid at 2011-08-23

Re: '60-'66 Body On A '73-'87 Frame
 

Thanks for reminding me of something I forgot to mention Ron. I knew I was forgetting something.

That is one other aspect of frame swaps to consider. That is how does the frame swap effect the titling and licensing process in your local area. I know here in Idaho, when building/modifying a vehicle, you are 'supposed' to have receipts for all the major components. Plus if you were to use a different frame, or body (cab on a pickup) you need to have the title for both of those components. Then you will have to have your vehicle inspected by the state motor vehicle investigator, to be sure you followed all the requirements. Then if he/she is happy with what you have done, you will be issued a reconstructed vehicle title. But if the motor vehicle investigator is not happy with what you have/have done, your vehicle can be confiscated and crushed. Typically a vehicle with a reconstructed vehicle title will have considerably less value than one with a regular title.

Re: '60-'66 Body On A '73-'87 Frame
 

I scanned a few of the pics that I did take during the build of this truck. You can see some of the body mount work in these a little better.

Re: '60-'66 Body On A '73-'87 Frame
 

Good info Capt, thank you. I still want to build a 4x4 this way, but it may be a while. I vote sticky...... :)

Re: '60-'66 Body On A '73-'87 Frame
 

with the wheelbases being different do you have to cut the frame down? doesn't say anythign about it? seems like the shortbed is 2.5 inches longer and the long is even more? im looking to make mine 4 wheel drive to make it more useable here in Idaho lol

Re: '60-'66 Body On A '73-'87 Frame
 

If you want the wheels to look proper in their relationship to the wheel openings one should shorten it up. if you look at that suburban higher up you will notice that the wheels are a little out of whack. I am putting that body on my 64 4 x 4 frame which was orig a panel. so there is a newer frame with the body mounting avail.
ron

Re: '60-'66 Body On A '73-'87 Frame
 

Could someone take a front diff from a different year and bolt it to a 2wd truck say in our trucks range?

Re: '60-'66 Body On A '73-'87 Frame
 

yeah i noticed that. what would you be asking for the frame? kinda far for me to get it but if the price is right and i can get it here for a resonable price its a possibility lol, around here you can get a donor 70's chev for around 500-700 that runs and drives nice just the body is rusted out bad.

Re: '60-'66 Body On A '73-'87 Frame
 

that was my other thought was to take the front diff and springs etc and adapt it to my frame and same with the rear, don't know if this will work though might have to check some measurments

Re: '60-'66 Body On A '73-'87 Frame
 

Bump for the new guys.......

Re: '60-'66 Body On A '73-'87 Frame
 

The reason the older truck bodies don't fit correctly on the newer frames is due to the change in design of later model frames and cabs in order to fit the saddle tanks. In the later models (73+) the cab floor under the seat is much higher to clear the front portion of the tank. Similarly the drop section in the middle of the frame is elevated in this area to support the fuel tanks and as also mount the raised area of the floor more efficiently.

Our old truck cabs aren't made to fit this way. So the cab must sit higher.

I will say though that the steel used to form the frame channels in late model trucks is better quality and often thicker (depending if it's a 1/2, 3/4 or 1 ton). While this may not matter to most 1/2 ton guys it might matter to those building a 4x4.

I put later model suspension and drivetrain on my 66 k10 frame. If I had to do it over again I would have just built a new frame from scratch using my original frame as a reference.

Re: '60-'66 Body On A '73-'87 Frame
 

One side note to add about the legality issue:

I know of a situation here in Kansas, where a guy I knew did a frame swap on a '50's Chevy pickup, did not document it or provide the paperwork to make it legit. His thought was " it's already titled/tagged so no one will ever know"
Well about 2 years after the swap, he was involved in an accident, which was his fault. His insurance investigated, suspected a "modified vehicle" found the numbers didn't match and refused payment on anything. The highway patrol got involved, confiscated the truck. He never was able to recover it because he had no documentation.

In Kansas we have a "builders' title" which is a pain in the a$$. BUT if done correctly Kansas will assign you a new ID number that encompasses all the new parts as a complete vehicle. The main inspections we have here are for VIN verification.
KS does offer Antique titles/registration that is somewhat painless and obtainable with just a bill of sale, and a VIN verification.

Great info Captain and regardless of the ride height- that was a nice build!! ...and VERY yellow. LOL

Re: '60-'66 Body On A '73-'87 Frame
 

Back of the 73+ Frame sits at least 3 inches higher than the 60-66 frame. So, if someone wants a 4x4 truck, or it to look like a 4x4, then go ahead with this swap.
Otherwise, one would have to do some frame surgery.
But then there's no real advantage.
Just put the newer stuff under your 60-66 frame.
http://i1106.photobucket.com/albums/...psi8goc5dv.jpg

Re: '60-'66 Body On A '73-'87 Frame
 

Not sure if it correct or not, but on mine I cut some square tube in half and used it to channel my cab over the frame.

http://i212.photobucket.com/albums/c...CabBottom2.jpg

Re: '60-'66 Body On A '73-'87 Frame
 

Yep, that confirms my statement of a 3" body lift when done.

Re: '60-'66 Body On A '73-'87 Frame
 

What have you done with the bed floor?

Re: '60-'66 Body On A '73-'87 Frame
 

It was bolted directly to the frame. What I saw more than anything was that the frame kicked up sooner than the old one, an hit the back of the cab.
The truck does sit a little on the high side. I am planning on drop spindles, and maybe cut springs.

Re: '60-'66 Body On A '73-'87 Frame
 

Just for my clarifacation. Is the blue 73+ ?
With front to the left?

Re: '60-'66 Body On A '73-'87 Frame
 

I like the height on the yellow C-10 just fine :hm:

Re: '60-'66 Body On A '73-'87 Frame
 

Funny--It looks like a tk and most don't like it. Being old i guess i like a tk that look like a tk lol! Slammed tks are fine also, and a lot of work to build. A little lower in the front and it would look stock. Just build them guy's & gal's.

Re: '60-'66 Body On A '73-'87 Frame
 

I don't think it's so much if it'll look okay, but more so - what's the point?
There's no advantage over just using the correct frame.

Re: '60-'66 Body On A '73-'87 Frame
 

Exactly!

A lot of work for no real gain. In fact IMO the trailing arms and coil springs ride nicer than the '73+ leaf springs.

Re: '60-'66 Body On A '73-'87 Frame
 

Bumping a bit of an old thread. I have a very rusty 1973 K20 that I'm thinking of body-swapping to a 60-66 or 67-72 body on the 73 frame. My frame is fine and I just need the front half (cab, fenders, doors, etc.). It's a flatbed and I will keep it that way. I'd appreciate any additional links or advice from the esteemed veterans here.

Re: '60-'66 Body On A '73-'87 Frame
 

Do you have the means to fabricate the cab mounts on the frame? What is the law in Colorado regarding a frame and body swap. IE the frame and body having a different VIN.

Re: '60-'66 Body On A '73-'87 Frame
 

Here is mine, it is a '62 body on a '73 frame. I cut the '62 cab mounts off the original frame, and re-used them on the new one. I also cut the front few inches of the frame rails off and spliced them into the '73. The front bumper wouldn't fit correctly on the new frame. The biggest headache is the frame rails kick up under the back of the cab, so you need to raise the cab, or channel the back of it to sit over the frame rails.
In the end it seemed like an easy way to get disk brakes, power steering, and newer parts.

http://i212.photobucket.com/albums/c...4/IMG_0005.jpg

There are some pictures in this post that show the bottom of the cab.

http://67-72chevytrucks.com/vboard/s...0&postcount=48

Re: '60-'66 Body On A '73-'87 Frame
 

Good questions, for which I currently have no answers. I strongly suspect there is a way around those issues, but I have to figure them out. I'm not remotely concerned about the vehicle's value as an original; the amount of skin cancer eating the K20 is likely beyond repair. I do need to check out how to reconcile an earlier cab and its VIN with that of the 73 frame.

Any hints from those have gone before will be greatly appreciated. I do have the means to fabricate the cab mounts, though I don't really know what that entails until I know the respective positions of the 73 cab mounts and those of the earlier model. I do think I like the 60-66 body a little better, especially the GMCs. Do any of the particular model years hold up better from a rust perspective? Are 60-66 better/worse than 67-72?

Re: '60-'66 Body On A '73-'87 Frame
 

Excellent info! Thanks.

Re: '60-'66 Body On A '73-'87 Frame
 

this should help you. there is a section under Colorado that explains it
http://www.semasan.com/page.asp?cont...olbox&g=SEMAGA
ron

Re: '60-'66 Body On A '73-'87 Frame
 

Here is my 64 on a 84 k10 chassis. pretty simple straight forward swap on a 4x4 as long as you want a 3" body lift and go with a flatbed due to frame length difference

Re: '60-'66 Body On A '73-'87 Frame
 

That's my story anyway. Truck already has a flatbed and I'll be keeping it that way. With effectively the 3" body lift, what other issues will I run into? Shift linkage issue (4-speed manual on floor)? T-case shift lever (4wd)? Steering linkage issue? Others?

Thanks. Your rig is pretty much what I have in mind. (But with a plow on the front.)

Re: '60-'66 Body On A '73-'87 Frame
 

not sure bout the 4 speed. mine currently has a 700r4 with a cable. Planning on a nv4500 soon. but thats a top loader so it won't be much of a concern for me. Trans case shifter worked out fine.
I ditched the stock cooling fan for electric
My steering column was broke up inside so I ended up putting a van column in. That is something else for you to consider

Re: '60-'66 Body On A '73-'87 Frame
 

I also used the cab mounts from the 64 frame and welded them on the 84 frame

Re: '60-'66 Body On A '73-'87 Frame
 

Couple newer pics