66 Transplant onto a 78 Frame

[tismy55]

I found a 78 chevy pick-up 4x4 the wheel base is 117" and the wheel base of my 66 is 115" will I have to do any body mods other than body mounts to get my 66 onto the frame of the 78 . Thanks

[TBONE1964]

It may be a bit more work but what I would do is use your 66 frame and mount the 78 drive train to it.

All you will need to do in the rear is swap the rear ends which will give you a slightly wider track (this would be the same if you were using the 78 frame). I would add leafs to the rear for the ride height you are looking for.

In the front, you can use 66 4x4 spring hangers or even 67-72 style will work along with 67-72 leaf springs. the 78 front axle may have to have the spring perches moved so they will line up with the leaf springs. You will have to figure out what steering arm to use. I am not sure if the 78 will work or not.

Does the 66 have a V8 and is that the engine you will use? If so, I think you can leave it were it is and bolt the 78 trans and transfer case to it. You will need a 63-72 style transmission crossmember which should bolt in without modifications.

In the end, you will have a truck that looks like a factory built 4x4 instead of a Frankenstein Johnny Cash truck.

This is only my opinion and the way I would do it. It is a real huge pain in the butt trying to locate body mount positions and when you are done, you are going to have 2 inches of gap somewhere or the front or rear tires will look like they are not centered in the wheel well.

[travz500]

Couldn't have said it better myself Tbone I have been there done that with my first truck I built the tall one in my sig now the little one I decided to put the suspension off of a 87 onto the 65 frame and that was bad enough and it was a factory 4x4
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[Captainfab]

I always recommend keeping the original frame if at all possible, for various reasons.

It won't be any more work to transfer all the 4x4 running gear to the '66 frame, than mounting the '66 body onto the '78 frame. Plus you will have a better end result.

Check out Jon's build thread here. It is a Suburban, but the frame is the same as a pickup.

http://www.67-72chevytrucks.com/vboa...d.php?t=448681

I've done the frame swap on a 2wd......won't do that again. You'll end up with about a 3" body lift.

[tismy55]

Ok I have the 72 Blazer Axles, Leaf springs,and the front hangers for my 66 do the front hangers bolt in ? if so where? Thanks

[tismy55]

I have a 72 blazer rear end and all the frame hanger brackets , I don't have the leaf springs or the U bolt brackets. Is there any other year leaf springs and U bolt bracket work. Thanks for any help.