hey guys this is a odd question to ask but I've been trying to find pictures and dimensions of diff. frames i was wondering if any one has pic/ and or dimensions of frames/chassis of 62-91 1/2 ton 2wd chevy or gmc truck frames? I've been trying to do a frame swap on my 55.2 chevy pickup and i had heard all the front clips axle flips options but id prefer to do a whole frame swap and I've been trying to find frames that have the same measurements as mine if any one has info, pics, or diagrams of 62-91 1/2 ton 2wd chevy/gmc pickup chassis/frames i would greatly appreciate it thank you kujo
there's so much more work on a frame swap... usually it sounds good, then you pull the cab/bed/fenders and then try and move the cab over to the new chassis... and that's the end of it. Then you figure out how much work it really is and you lose interest and it's sold cheap. Keep the stock frame it already fits!
That truck was married to the frame it came with . Doing a frame swap like that is more work that you think it is . It's really easier to just use the frame you have and make the mods you want OR just make a frame from scratch . NO frame will work with a simple frame swap . First , I would check into seeing what is made on the aftermarket offers for the mods you want to do OR just do a simple frame clip from a Nova or Monte Carlo . Now you might get away with a S10 long bed frame swap but I still would highly suggest to just cut the frame near the firewall and weld in a new front end suspension and be done with it . Good Luck with you 55 . Retro Jim
the way me my dad and my uncle fig it is that if we found a dif frame then i would getting a bigger motor and trans (235 inline 6 and 3 on the tree on it now) better/easier to lower suspension with coils in front plus more options of lowering it and relocate the gas tank to under the bed the only down side to it is the fab work that will need to be done I've seen a kit that will allow me to put the 55 on a 73-87 pickup frame but I'm debating on making my own mounts etc. so that is why I'm trying to find pics and specs 62-72 and 88-91 frames another idea i had was to find another 55 frame and box it in do axle flip in back and sub frame or front clip for the front right now i am not sure which way i want to go
I don't have the info. But these trucks lose their juju when their frames are swapped out for newer frames. That said, based on your username, you should look for a frame made in 1993. Bigger engines and lowering options are not at all limited by the factory-stock frames under these trucks. Look how low mine is in my album. Any lower and I could rent it out as a Zamboni. And that's without bags.
i thought about the s10 as well it would work with length and wheel base but it is to narrow for the track width and thank you guys for the info
hahaha i would like that with a 93 frame with 55 me being born in 93 and as everyone says around here I'm already apart of my truck why not try and actually put my self into the truck hahahaha
I have a fresh and detailed 85 chevy 2wd short bed chassis waiting to go back under the truck. You can come look and measure or I can send pics measure what you need.
What are you trying to do? Are you wanting IFS so you can lower it? The stock frame is just what you need, if you want it lower have the stock axle dropped. If you have to have IFS there are many threads here discussing which/what ones work best and can be grafted into the stock rails.
could you send me picks of the 85 and measurements of the rail to rail width and length of the whole frame, wheel base, track width basically all the measurements i would need?
The later truck frames are 34" wide just like the early ones. Except at the front, where they're 28" wide. And they are not flat, they are like a roller coaster, low where the drivers feet go, high under the seat, etc.
If you do any frame swap you are going to have to make new body mounts anyway you look at it . Do you have good welding skills to make new cab mounts ? If not you better keep what you have now and work with that frame . Can you tell us exactly what suspension you want . Then we can tell you the easiest and best way to go . Retro Jim
i am going to school for welding so i like to think that i have good welding skills and the suspension would be coils up front and leafs in back
The key to properly assembling the nose on that truck is the radiator core support structure. Everything is based off that piece of sheetmetal. So whatever frame you end up using, pay careful attention to how you plan to mount that piece of the puzzle. If it's not dead nuts on, the entire nose assembly will fight you at every turn.
You're going to be better off using a S-10 chassis. I put an 88 Chevy 1500 under a 1/2 IH S-110. The IH is a MUCH larger truck too. But, you shouldn't do a frame swap. It was my first build EVER and I thought things went pretty easy to be honest. But it wasn't perfect. Plan on losing a ton of bed height if you do it. I also had to shorten the wheelbase a bit. In the end, I had a 88 Chevy Pickup, not something old. It just didn't feel right so I sold it. http://smg.photobucket.com/albums/v475/beau_layman/ih s110/#!cpZZ1QQtppZZ20 If you're going to school, that means you like to learn. Start listening/learning from the people telling you NOT to do a frame swap, instead of making excuses on why it's a good idea and waiting for someone to tell you to do it. You WILL be happier in the end. EDIT- If you insist on doing a swap, the full size chassis is not the way to go. Look here. http://www.e-zchassisswaps.com/
This is the 1975 truck frame, same for 73-80. 81-87 has a slightly different front end where the bumper mounts, as they redesigned the front sheet metal.
About the only vehicle I'd put on that frame is chevy truck of that vintage. Roller coaster is a perfect description. Chevy tracker frame is basically 2 x6 tube straight ladder type frame.
How much easier/simpler can it get? Front ifs kit, installed on original frame in 2 days (includes tear-down and clean-up); Rear lowering leaf kit from CPP, installed in less than 1 day. How low can you go? How's this?
and notice the nice fit of the big front tires inside the fenders. Not too easy to get that with a later truck suspension.
I have a 1st series '55 3100 w/TCI front Mustang II type suspension w/shocks/coil springs & Fat Man tubular motor mounts, Chassis Engineering rear leaf spring setup w/Camaro 10 bolt and it drives like a dream. My '56 3100 has a similar set up but with all TCI suspension parts, Fat Man motor mounts and a "baby" LT1 & 4L60 a & Camaro 10 bolt - it's still in the works. The parts are all NEW & reasonably priced (I usually try to buy at major shows when stuff is on sale or at least negotiable). Also have an Outlaw bodied full fendered '33 Ford 3 window w/full Stage 3TCI tubular control armed chassis w/coil overs, etc, etc. I do not have the skills to fabricate and have come to realize that a lot of work has gone into the design & engineering of these parts and they work. Since I am "in the Autumn of my years" (Thanks, Frank!), these parts allow me to enjoy driving my vehicles. Just my opinion.
I'm with 117 harv,....keep the original, and put a a new front clip on it.... MUCH less sweat and toil,...and you can use whatever engine/ drivetrain you want. I built my '40 pickup from a bare frame,..and even using all the original pieces,..a body-off-frame project is a lot more than it first appears. Send us pictures, of whatever you go with..... 4TTRUK
thanks for the info/imput again guys and i have a frame that i might buy well i have a couple i am looking at and they are basically 75-85 frames and i think i will be going with the frame swap only time will tell but i will post pictures of what i will do and will prob. put up a build or project thread and with the s10 frames I'm pretty sure that they won't work due to they are to narrow and i would have to put wider rims and tires or wheel spacers. i would like to have it so i can get the frame completely set up and ready so i can just drop the old tin onto it and i know its not going to be easy but i never did take the easy way i will always take my time and do it right and make it work ill let you guys know but thanks again guys for the info and input i really appreciate it thanks again kujo
The Jalopy Journal
