Frame Swap?
 

Recently I came across a "not advertised" truck for sale stuck in the corner of the garage at a small auto shop. Dismantled and covered in years of dust and stuff I wasn't able to get a good look. Professionally lowered, C-notched frame, complete factory drive train with a narrowed rear end.

My question is, it's a mid to late seventies short bed big block. How much, if any fabrication will be needed to swap with my 85? Asking price is 5k. Would I be better off finding an 85 frame and build that one?

Re: Frame Swap?
 

I put an 86 short bed on a 70's frame, no modification was necessary except the front ram horns needed to be trimmed a bit. There was a good post on this website about cutting the front horns down a bit. Everything else was spot on.

Re: Frame Swap?
 

I put an 86 on a 70's frame with no issues. You don't need to cut the frame at all, just trim the bumper bracket for the 81-87 bumper and attach it to the 70's frame, it will be perfect.
As someone else mentioned here before....Do not cut the frame!
Good luck!