1981 Frame with a 1960 Cab

[ram153624]

I have a 1960 GMC C10 cab and short bed with no frame, and I have located a 1981 short wheelbase C10 frame at a good price. Before I buy it, I would like to know if this is a doable project or if it is more trouble than it is worth. Can anyone guide me on this swap? I can weld and fabricate, and I'm willing to relocate cab mounts but I don't want to put a great amount of time into it if there is an easier solution. Thanks in advance.

[LostMy65]

This question gets asked so much, and the answer is always the same; it's way too much work, and it won't look right anyway.
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[dieseldude4bt]

A shortened suburban frame would work better.

[ram153624]

Thanks for the responses, LostMy65 and dieseldude4bt; I will not buy that 1981 frame. So now I have to find a frame that will work. I know that the 1960-66 frames are the same, and that the later model front disc brake cradles will bolt into the earlier frames, but I wonder what later frames will work with the 1960 cab. Dieseldude4bt mentioned a Suburban frame shortened will work, but what years?
I'm thinking of using a Cummins 4bt with a TH400 in this truck.
I'm halfway through the buildup of a stretched 1948 Chevy half-ton on a 1993 Dodge 1-ton dually chassis, with a Cummins 6bt. I had to move the engine and transmission back 10 inches, and build a doghouse under the dashboard. I will have to widen the front fenders about 2 inches so the wheels don't stick out.
I'm also building a 1966 C10 that will have an LT1 with 4L60E using the fuel injection, and a Caprice fuel tank under the bed.

[Captainfab]

If it is a good deal, why not get that '81 frame and use the front suspension and possible the rear end under what ever year of frame you do get?

The '67-'72 frames are very close to the '63-'66 frames. The radiator support mounts and the rear cab mounts need to be changed. And of course the front frame horns are shaped for the '67-'72 bumper.

Originally Posted by ram153624

Thanks for the responses, LostMy65 and dieseldude4bt; I will not buy that 1981 frame. So now I have to find a frame that will work. I know that the 1960-66 frames are the same, and that the later model front disc brake cradles will bolt into the earlier frames, but I wonder what later frames will work with the 1960 cab. Dieseldude4bt mentioned a Suburban frame shortened will work, but what years?
I'm thinking of using a Cummins 4bt with a TH400 in this truck.
I'm halfway through the buildup of a stretched 1948 Chevy half-ton on a 1993 Dodge 1-ton dually chassis, with a Cummins 6bt. I had to move the engine and transmission back 10 inches, and build a doghouse under the dashboard. I will have to widen the front fenders about 2 inches so the wheels don't stick out.
I'm also building a 1966 C10 that will have an LT1 with 4L60E using the fuel injection, and a Caprice fuel tank under the bed.

[thekid54]

60-66 frames are not the same. 60-62 are the same, and 63-66 are the same. I've heard 67-72 frames are the same as 63-66, except for the front fame horns where the front bumper mounts.

Here are some differences I can think of off the top of my head. I'm sure others will think of more:

60-62: partially boxed frame with large X-member, torsion bar front suspension, front cab mounts are different than 63-66, frame rails are farther apart in front and back (bumpers & bed sub-rails will not interchange without modification), grille surround is also different (cut outs on the bottom for the frame rails)

63-66: no boxing & no X-member, coil front suspension, front cab mounts are different than 60-62, bumpers & bed sub-rails from 60-62 will not interchange without modification

[padresag]

Originally Posted by thekid54

60-66 frames are not the same. 60-62 are the same, and 63-66 are the same. I've heard 67-72 frames are the same as 63-66, except for the front fame horns where the front bumper mounts.

Here are some differences I can think of off the top of my head. I'm sure others will think of more:

60-62: partially boxed frame with large X-member, torsion bar front suspension, front cab mounts are different than 63-66, frame rails are farther apart in front and back (bumpers & bed sub-rails will not interchange without modification), grille surround is also different (cut outs on the bottom for the frame rails)

63-66: no boxing & no X-member, coil front suspension, front cab mounts are different than 60-62, bumpers & bed sub-rails from 60-62 will not interchange without modification

frame rails are the same distance apart. any frt end up to 87 will fit in there
the 60-62 rails go wider towards the back. the 63-66 frame is 1" higher in the front though.
ron

[thekid54]

Originally Posted by padresag

frame rails are the same distance apart. any frt end up to 87 will fit in there
the 60-62 rails go wider towards the back. the 63-66 frame is 1" higher in the front though.
ron

Ron, I know they're the same width at the front crossmember, but don't the front frame horns flare out wider too on the 60-62? Catalogs always break the front bumpers up into 60-62 and 63-66. I thought it was due to different mounting hole widths.

[padresag]

Originally Posted by thekid54

Ron, I know they're the same width at the front crossmember, but don't the front frame horns flare out wider too on the 60-62? Catalogs always break the front bumpers up into 60-62 and 63-66. I thought it was due to different mounting hole widths.

it is the vertical distance between the bumper bolt holes as the 60-62 frames rails are not as high as the later ones
ron

[LostMy65]

It is simple enough to put a 60-62 cab on a 63-66 frame.
Personally, If I had a 60-62 cab and was looking for a frame to set it on, I'd still prefer getting a 63-66 frame over a 60-62 frame.

[thekid54]

Originally Posted by LostMy65

It is simple enough to put a 60-62 cab on a 63-66 frame.
Personally, If I had a 60-62 cab and was looking for a frame to set it on, I'd still prefer getting a 63-66 frame over a 60-62 frame.

Agreed, that's what I did with my '62 cab & body, I put it on a '63 frame. All I had to do was swap the front cab mounts on the frame.

[1963c-10]

Hey Ram...I have a 1961 SB rolling frame that needs a home. Im in Lower NC, so wouldn't be far.

[ram153624]

Thanks. I responded to your PM.

[1963c-10]

PM sent RAM

[Captainfab]

Been there done that, and don't recommend it, unless you like to make extra work for yourself. It will sit about like a stock '73-'87 K10. Here is a thread I started that shows the results of the one I did about 25 yeras ago.

http://www.67-72chevytrucks.com/vboa...d.php?t=481023

Even though I don't particularily like the '60-'62 frames, I would not swap it for a '73-'87 frame. If you had a '63-'72 frame that would be a little different, when done correctly. With a '60-'62 frame, I recommend just changing the complete front suspension, and rear differential. Add power steering and brakes, and you have accomplished the same thing as the frame swap, with less work. Plus you don't have the legal issue to deal with.