66 on a later model Frame? anyone done it?

[67Mach1]

My frined has a 66 and just picked up an 85 frame for a front disc/crossmember conversion.

Two questions:

1: the crossmember should swap over should he want to only take the disc brakes and motor mounts, right???

2: has anyone ever swapped over he 60-66 body over to the later frame?

Pitfalls and warnings would be appreciated as he is considering the second option over the first.

Thanks,
thomas

[Todd_a]

I have heard that the frames are very similar, so I would assume it would not be all that difficult to do the swap.

I was thinking before about swapping my truck body ofer to a frame from a 1995 Impala SS and utilizing the entire drivetrain with EFI and everything. That would be a difficult swap.

[ChiefRocka]

Originally Posted by Todd_a

I have heard that the frames are very similar, so I would assume it would not be all that difficult to do the swap.

I was thinking before about swapping my truck body ofer to a frame from a 1995 Impala SS and utilizing the entire drivetrain with EFI and everything. That would be a difficult swap.

That would be cool...take some work...but cool !!!

[Torch]

I have my 63 mocked up on a 79 frame right now, so i could probably tell you a little about that. One thing the wheelbases are a little different, with the front centered in the wheel wells...the rear end needs to come forward about 3-4 inches. This is on a swb 79 frame and a '63 short step bed. All the mounts are wrong and in the wrong place, it looks like the frames a similar width though. The truck also sits up pretty high beause of the thicker frame rails and you have to clear the frame rail where it turns up at the rear of the cab. Personally i've decided to give up on trying to make it fit..mainly because i picked up a correct frame for free.

It could easily be done with the correct frame mounts mounted in the right places and moving the rear spring hangers and everything forward to center the wheels in the rear wheel well.

[satin64]

wouldnt it be easier to keep the stock frame and swap the rest to it?i mean you dont get any improvement from one frame to another do you?

[ClassicAutoResto]

My donor is an 84 G30 cab and chassis. The cab is sitting up higher than stock due to the straight frame rails, but whatever setup you use, center and set the doghouse first to determine your core support, and work your way back. Mine is actually mocking up fairly easy, but I have the luxury of a completely straight frame.

[Stepside65]

You don't even need to swap over the whole crossmember if all he wants are the disk brakes. IIRC all you need from the donor is the upper control arms, disk brake spindles, mastercylinder, and a little work to get the brake rod correct. I could be wrong. There used to be a sticky over it.

[satin64]

yeah the sticky said that you need both a arms though.but i could be wrong.whered it go?

[67Mach1]

I have sent him everyones replys and we are goign to do some evaluating before proceeding. Apparently the frame is a little tweeked on the 65 which is why he is thinknig about the complete swap.

If there is a sticky I would liek to be directed to it. I tried to find something on it but did not have a bunch of luck. Dont use the search feature often so I am not sure if i did it correctly.

Thanks,
Thomas

[Stepside65]

The sticky got removed from it's spot. I'll have to ask a mod about it.