Wanted: 67-72 LWB 4x4 frame or spring mounts - The 1947 - Present Chevrolet & GMC Truck Message Board Network

ronh72c10 · 08-13-2003, 05:03 PM

Hi All:

I'm after the 4x4 frame (either rolling or bare) for a 67-72 LWB truck. Or failing that, all of the front and rear spring mounts cut from a 4x4 frame that you are scrapping.

Since I'm in SW Ontario (canada), and currently running truckless, it would be a lot easier to get the frame if it's somewhere near me.

If you have just the mounts I'd certainly be willing to pay for shipping from the southern U.S.

Thanks,

Ron

Class of 69 · 08-13-2003, 07:22 PM

I have a complete set of brackets, already removed, and treated with rust stop. Let me know if that's the way you go.

diggy · 08-13-2003, 09:23 PM

If the frame mounts don't work for him, I'd be interested in picking them up. I have a frame i'm looking to convert to 4x4

Class of 69 · 08-13-2003, 10:04 PM

10-4 diggy...and welcome to the board!! I'll give him a couple day's to decide.

diggy · 08-13-2003, 10:07 PM

thanks good to be here

Hutch · 08-13-2003, 10:17 PM

ronh72c10
There is quite a bit of difference in the C10 and k10 frames.
You will need a lot of fabrication to convert a 2wd frame.
I never really understood what the differences were until recently.
I have one of each sitting side by side and they are quite a few differences.
The crossmembers,the engine cradles the whole rear section on the 4x4 from the center back is wider that the two wheel drive one.
I always thought that the two wheel drive frame was the same with a few changes but not so.
It might be easier if you started with a frame with original leafs though.
There are alot of nicely converted trucks around so it has been done, just have to be handy with a torch.

Have fun

ronh72c10 · 08-13-2003, 11:22 PM

Thanks for the advice, I was thinking about converting the 2wd frame I've got into a 4wd, after looking at it for the last few days I figured it wouldn't hurt to check and see if I can get a frame locally, if not I'll get the brackets and work with what I've got. I hate to mess up a perfect 2wd frame.

After talking with a guy tonight he suggested that I look at a newer frame and just plan on moving the cab mounts. I'm not looking for authenticity. So tomorrow I'm going to have a look at a 78 4wd frame a friend of his has.

Class of 69:
Another member has privately offered to sell me his brackets so if Diggy wants to buy them I won't be offended.

Thanks Guys,

Ron

diggy · 08-14-2003, 05:55 PM

besides welding spring mounts on a 2wd frame, what else is involved with a conversion?

ronh72c10 · 08-14-2003, 10:40 PM

That depends on if the frame is an original rear leaf spring suspension. The rear of a leaf spring frame is straighter than a coil spring suspension, where the coil spring frame flares out a bit over the coil springs. It also is a problem with a coil spring frame because the part of the frame ahead of the axle was 2" wider than the rear, at least on my 2wd 68 donor frame. If you have a leaf spring frame then it should be a lot easier, a bolt on rear hopefully.

The front seemed to be the right width for my donor axle, if you have the brackets the front of the front leaf should be a matter of knocking a few rivets out at the brackets for the core support and bolting the 4wd brackets on. The rear mounts (shown below) will need to be bolted in the frame, but are going to require modification of the frame, including cutting some holes and possibly welding some plate in to smooth out the spot where the brackets go.

Both things are what started to put me off of the idea of converting the 2wd frame.

Ron

ronh72c10 · 08-14-2003, 10:49 PM

Here's a bad picture of where the mounts for the back of the leaf for the front axle needs to go, it will be positioned on the inside of the frame around where you see the textured holes(for the parking brake cable), just ahead of the cab mount. I can't say I know exactly where it should be positioned, but this is close.

ronh72c10 · 08-14-2003, 10:57 PM

All that said, there were alot of unknown variables that I'm sure that somebody would have been able to answer, and although there would be alot of work that didn't intimidate me. What I didn't want to have happen was to do a good job fixing it up but still have a truck that drove like a pig and for it to not have enough adjustment to be able to correct it with an alignment.

I figure that I'll go with the 78 4x4 frame I saw today and move the cab mounts on the frame to work with it, should be alot easier than trying to rework the 68 frame.

diggy · 08-15-2003, 02:05 PM

IT DOES LOOK LIKE ALOT OF WORK. I MAY JUST START LOOKING AT FINDING A 4X4 FRAME TO BUY OR SWAP FOR MY 2WD FRAME. I CAN'T WELD AND HAVE NO INTEREST IN STILL A LARGE SUM AMOUNT OF MONEY TO TURN A 2WD INTO SOMETHING IT'S NOT. THANKS EVERYONE FOR THE GOOD KNOWLEDGE

diggy · 08-15-2003, 02:09 PM

SORRY, CAN'T SEEM TO MAKE COMPLETE SENTENCES TODAY.

ronh72c10 · 08-15-2003, 02:36 PM

One other thing I didn't mention, somebody also pointed out that the 2wd steering box won't work with the 4wd front axle, so that has to be replaced.

I read through a number of the older posts about converting a 2wd frame to 4wd. Certainly more than a few people have done it, but the consensus of opinion was to look for a 4wd frame.

The frame i had a look at yesterday wasn't pretty and certainly wouldn't be show truck quality, but was solid. It included both axles, homemade bumpers, rims and rather bald tires for $600 canadian. Not bad since it gives me almost everything I was missing, although I still need a power steering box/pump, driveshafts and a torque converter, not to mention I still need to find a good running 350. Unfortunately the budget is blown for a while so that'll all have to wait for a few months.

Ron

08-13-2003, 05:03 PM	#1
ronh72c10 Senior Member Join Date: Jul 2003 Location: Mount Forest, Ontario, Canada Posts: 978	Wanted: 67-72 LWB 4x4 frame or spring mounts Hi All: I'm after the 4x4 frame (either rolling or bare) for a 67-72 LWB truck. Or failing that, all of the front and rear spring mounts cut from a 4x4 frame that you are scrapping. Since I'm in SW Ontario (canada), and currently running truckless, it would be a lot easier to get the frame if it's somewhere near me. If you have just the mounts I'd certainly be willing to pay for shipping from the southern U.S. Thanks, Ron

08-13-2003, 07:22 PM	#2
Class of 69 Registered User Join Date: Mar 2003 Location: Stillwater MN Posts: 1,166	I have a complete set of brackets, already removed, and treated with rust stop. Let me know if that's the way you go. __________________ 69 GMC K10 ..some restoration required....still..

08-13-2003, 10:04 PM	#4
Class of 69 Registered User Join Date: Mar 2003 Location: Stillwater MN Posts: 1,166	10-4 diggy...and welcome to the board!! I'll give him a couple day's to decide. __________________ 69 GMC K10 ..some restoration required....still..

08-13-2003, 10:17 PM	#6
Hutch Registered User Join Date: Oct 2001 Location: Grapevine, Tx. Posts: 2,142	ronh72c10 There is quite a bit of difference in the C10 and k10 frames. You will need a lot of fabrication to convert a 2wd frame. I never really understood what the differences were until recently. I have one of each sitting side by side and they are quite a few differences. The crossmembers,the engine cradles the whole rear section on the 4x4 from the center back is wider that the two wheel drive one. I always thought that the two wheel drive frame was the same with a few changes but not so. It might be easier if you started with a frame with original leafs though. There are alot of nicely converted trucks around so it has been done, just have to be handy with a torch. Have fun __________________ John Hutchison Grapevine,Texas 68 1/2 t swb 68 Mustang 69 Jaguar 71 1/2 t swb 88 Supra CompTs6m 93 Escort GT 2005 Corolla XRS

08-14-2003, 10:40 PM	#9
ronh72c10 Senior Member Join Date: Jul 2003 Location: Mount Forest, Ontario, Canada Posts: 978	That depends on if the frame is an original rear leaf spring suspension. The rear of a leaf spring frame is straighter than a coil spring suspension, where the coil spring frame flares out a bit over the coil springs. It also is a problem with a coil spring frame because the part of the frame ahead of the axle was 2" wider than the rear, at least on my 2wd 68 donor frame. If you have a leaf spring frame then it should be a lot easier, a bolt on rear hopefully. The front seemed to be the right width for my donor axle, if you have the brackets the front of the front leaf should be a matter of knocking a few rivets out at the brackets for the core support and bolting the 4wd brackets on. The rear mounts (shown below) will need to be bolted in the frame, but are going to require modification of the frame, including cutting some holes and possibly welding some plate in to smooth out the spot where the brackets go. Both things are what started to put me off of the idea of converting the 2wd frame. Ron Attached Images

08-13-2003, 09:23 PM	#3
diggy Registered User Join Date: Aug 2003 Location: Las Vegas Posts: 137	If the frame mounts don't work for him, I'd be interested in picking them up. I have a frame i'm looking to convert to 4x4

08-13-2003, 10:07 PM	#5
diggy Registered User Join Date: Aug 2003 Location: Las Vegas Posts: 137	thanks good to be here

08-13-2003, 11:22 PM	#7
ronh72c10 Senior Member Join Date: Jul 2003 Location: Mount Forest, Ontario, Canada Posts: 978	Thanks for the advice, I was thinking about converting the 2wd frame I've got into a 4wd, after looking at it for the last few days I figured it wouldn't hurt to check and see if I can get a frame locally, if not I'll get the brackets and work with what I've got. I hate to mess up a perfect 2wd frame. After talking with a guy tonight he suggested that I look at a newer frame and just plan on moving the cab mounts. I'm not looking for authenticity. So tomorrow I'm going to have a look at a 78 4wd frame a friend of his has. Class of 69: Another member has privately offered to sell me his brackets so if Diggy wants to buy them I won't be offended. Thanks Guys, Ron

08-14-2003, 05:55 PM	#8
diggy Registered User Join Date: Aug 2003 Location: Las Vegas Posts: 137	besides welding spring mounts on a 2wd frame, what else is involved with a conversion?

08-14-2003, 10:49 PM	#10
ronh72c10 Senior Member Join Date: Jul 2003 Location: Mount Forest, Ontario, Canada Posts: 978	Here's a bad picture of where the mounts for the back of the leaf for the front axle needs to go, it will be positioned on the inside of the frame around where you see the textured holes(for the parking brake cable), just ahead of the cab mount. I can't say I know exactly where it should be positioned, but this is close. Attached Images

08-14-2003, 10:57 PM	#11
ronh72c10 Senior Member Join Date: Jul 2003 Location: Mount Forest, Ontario, Canada Posts: 978	All that said, there were alot of unknown variables that I'm sure that somebody would have been able to answer, and although there would be alot of work that didn't intimidate me. What I didn't want to have happen was to do a good job fixing it up but still have a truck that drove like a pig and for it to not have enough adjustment to be able to correct it with an alignment. I figure that I'll go with the 78 4x4 frame I saw today and move the cab mounts on the frame to work with it, should be alot easier than trying to rework the 68 frame.

08-15-2003, 02:05 PM	#12
diggy Registered User Join Date: Aug 2003 Location: Las Vegas Posts: 137	IT DOES LOOK LIKE ALOT OF WORK. I MAY JUST START LOOKING AT FINDING A 4X4 FRAME TO BUY OR SWAP FOR MY 2WD FRAME. I CAN'T WELD AND HAVE NO INTEREST IN STILL A LARGE SUM AMOUNT OF MONEY TO TURN A 2WD INTO SOMETHING IT'S NOT. THANKS EVERYONE FOR THE GOOD KNOWLEDGE

08-15-2003, 02:09 PM	#13
diggy Registered User Join Date: Aug 2003 Location: Las Vegas Posts: 137	SORRY, CAN'T SEEM TO MAKE COMPLETE SENTENCES TODAY.

08-15-2003, 02:36 PM	#14
ronh72c10 Senior Member Join Date: Jul 2003 Location: Mount Forest, Ontario, Canada Posts: 978	One other thing I didn't mention, somebody also pointed out that the 2wd steering box won't work with the 4wd front axle, so that has to be replaced. I read through a number of the older posts about converting a 2wd frame to 4wd. Certainly more than a few people have done it, but the consensus of opinion was to look for a 4wd frame. The frame i had a look at yesterday wasn't pretty and certainly wouldn't be show truck quality, but was solid. It included both axles, homemade bumpers, rims and rather bald tires for $600 canadian. Not bad since it gives me almost everything I was missing, although I still need a power steering box/pump, driveshafts and a torque converter, not to mention I still need to find a good running 350. Unfortunately the budget is blown for a while so that'll all have to wait for a few months. Ron



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