My truck frame is *&^%#@ Please Help...

[canadian trucker]

Hi guys,

I'm in need of some help of your expert advise, experiences and out of the box thinking.

The frame on my 84 C-10 SWB Truck is (in the mechanics words) f@*$#d.

The rear is rusted thru and cracked on the drivers side by the first cross member after the cab. I may be able to cut it out and weld in a new piece and brace it.

The front is bent do to a crash from the previous owner. The frame had been fixed and looked like nothing had happened, been driving it for 5 years since. But after removing my rad support mount bolts it twisted to the point of having to use the forklift at work to straighten it enough to put back together. The passenger side shock mount is also sheared off. (my fault)

I have plans for this truck, put this is coming at the wrong time.

The big question

What are my options ?


Any help is appreciated
Thanks in advance.

[N2TRUX]

What the condition of the truck in general? Is it worth finding a new frame, or would you be better off finding another truck? In the relatively rust free South, we walk away from anything remotely rusted. In your region, it's not that easy to do.

If the body is in good condition, I would locate a clean frame and do the swap. Assuming you have the place, tools, and skills to do the job. If the body is going to need expensive repairs too, I would consider buying a better truck and using your for parts.

[canadian trucker]

The rest of the truck is pretty good, little rust on the cab, doors dented a bit.
The frame is the weak link. Finding a frame here seems to be damn near impossible...

I have the place, tools and skill for the job. My biggest problem is time. The truck is my DD and I need it back up and running.

Anyone have the dimensions for a frame, I may just build a custom one and then transfer cab and box onto it.

Thoughts?

Thanks

[Clyde65]

Here is one for a...4X4


http://dallas.craigslist.org/mdf/pts/1928434430.html

[N2TRUX]

Originally Posted by Clyde65

Here is one for a...4X4

Other than it being 2200 miles away from him, that might be a good deal.

Originally Posted by canadian trucker

....Anyone have the dimensions for a frame, I may just build a custom one and then transfer cab and box onto it.Thoughts?

If you have the ability to build one, you should have the skills to repair the one you for now. It may not be pretty, but patch it up and run it till you can locate a frame.

Yes you can build one, but that wouldn't be my first choice. I would look to the south of you for a rust free donor. Spend a weekend with a trailer and go get what you need.

[Clyde65]

another one, maybe 2150 miles away...just trying to be helpful with CL.

http://gulfport.craigslist.org/pts/1921939806.html

http://huntsville.craigslist.org/pts/1921347043.html

http://carbondale.craigslist.org/pts/1912216573.html

[dropd80s]

Originally Posted by canadian trucker

Anyone have the dimensions for a frame, I may just build a custom one and then transfer cab and box onto it.

Thoughts?

Thanks

Again like the other guys, Im a little biased being in Texas and could prolly get a frame for free But, building one from scratch is too much work, no matter where you're at.

[canadian trucker]

N2TRUX

Yeah, you are right I'll just patch the front together until it works again.

Then just take a nice long weekend trip looking at frames.

Clyde65

Thank you for the CL links, I forgot how plentyful these trucks are just south from me.
Up here they are rusting out.

thanks again

[N2TRUX]

Do some research for areas South of you that don't salt their roads. I know Colorado is a long drive but they have dry air and use sand on the roads. I'm not sure about states closer to you, but it's the path I would take.

[geezer#99]

Hey neighbour. Wanta go 4x4. Here's a possibillity. I could go look at it for ya!!!
http://www.usednanaimo.com/classifie...--Re-_12378652

[kaotics]

Hey if your interested I'll have a bare frame in a couple weeks off a 82lwb I'm grabbing that I want the drivetrain and axle from,
also kijiji man found this one running driving but rusted box for 200$
Posted via Mobile Device

[canadian trucker]

Originally Posted by geezer#99

Hey neighbour. Wanta go 4x4. Here's a possibillity. I could go look at it for ya!!!
http://www.usednanaimo.com/classifie...--Re-_12378652

Geezer#99

Thanks, but im trying to go lower not higher.

kaotics

i do not really want the hassle about shortening the frame.

Update:

the raer rust and area where the frame was craked is now fixed




But i have stumbled across this sometime you can not win

[bctom]

Nice fab work. But by the looks of the scale on the frame I'd keep looking for a replacement. I bet if you can patch up and straighten the one you have you'd probably find shortening a long box pretty straight forward. Good luck.

P.S. What did your engine come out of ( a caddy I'm guessing). What trans? etc.

Thanks from the Okanagan!

[N2TRUX]

Originally Posted by canadian trucker

Geezer#99-i do not really want the hassle about shortening the frame.

It looks like your doing good work with what you have. With the skills you have, I wouldn't rule out cutting a LWB frame down if necessary.

[canadian trucker]

Thanks for the comments, well I got lucky, I found a new frame of a 79 for 500$ came with 2 new NOS doors and a good hood.

pic of the frame



pic of the engine

[canadian trucker]

Oh and about the engine

Its a 4L 90 deg 32V 4 Cam V8 out of a Lexus mated to a TH350 with a custom bell housing and flex plate adapter.

Stock power 300hp and 300lb

Soon to get an M112 Jaguar supercharger (with twin water-air intercoolers)
or quad turbos

All going thru a 6L90 or a 6HP26 transmission.

Possibly ending in a independent rear suspension.

Thansk for looking.

[N2TRUX]

Originally Posted by canadian trucker

Thanks for the comments, well I got lucky, I found a new frame of a 79 for 500$ came with 2 new NOS doors and a good hood.

That not lucky, that robbery. You stole that stuff..

[edflores]

Originally Posted by canadian trucker

Oh and about the engine

Its a 4L 90 deg 32V 4 Cam V8 out of a Lexus mated to a TH350 with a custom bell housing and flex plate adapter.

Stock power 300hp and 300lb

Soon to get an M112 Jaguar supercharger (with twin water-air intercoolers)
or quad turbos

All going thru a 6L90 or a 6HP26 transmission.

Possibly ending in a independent rear suspension.

Thansk for looking.

SC400 motor? Thats the most original power plant I've heard of going in a Chevy

[canadian trucker]

Originally Posted by N2TRUX

That not lucky, that robbery. You stole that stuff..

I would never steal, wait would I?........ no never.

I got lucky, found a whole truck on craigslist. Had to drive out for 2 hours to get it, and I had to remove it that day. Came with a few extra (junk) parts.



All that on a trailer just big enough to haul the truck.

[canadian trucker]

Originally Posted by edflores

SC400 motor? Thats the most original power plant I've heard of going in a Chevy

I know, there is like 100 of these swaps around, I knew I should have gone with something different. LOL

Here is a pic of the donor.



Was rolled up a lamp post at 130, with 4 people in it. All walked away. (well limped)

[N2TRUX]

Originally Posted by canadian trucker

Was rolled up a lamp post at 130, with 4 people in it. All walked away. (well limped)

Yeah, but I bet they all needed a change of undies.

[canadian trucker]

Originally Posted by N2TRUX

Yeah, but I bet they all needed a change of undies.

Oh no doubt, its also one of the main reasons I dont like lamp posts.

[Pop's C-10]

I like tha choice of powerplaint...

[canadian trucker]

Originally Posted by Pop's C-10

I like tha choice of powerplaint...

Thank you,

I hope it all turns out the way I would like it too.

[NZSquare]

Good choice on the motor, those are a pretty common swap in New Zealand aswell, lots of good info on them on NZ based forums if you need it.
What are you running for an ECU ? I had a Microtech, aussie company, ecu comes stock with dual ignitor channels.

I had a hilux (tacoma sized) 4x4 with one years back, went like a cut cat, all the way through to 10,000 if you let it. Another common mod in NZ is sticking an extra throttle body on the intake, the factory plenum chamber is known to be restrictive. Heres my old engine.



Cool project good luck with the swap.