frame swap

[hare56g]

I'm an owner of a 56 GMC SWB and need help. Due to the previous owners stupidity and mother nature the front of my frame needed to be removed 3" in front of the forward cab mounts. My problem is that I would like to replace the frame instead of a new clip. I would ideally like a to go 4wd but I need help knowing what would be the best replacment with the least amount of modifying (67-72?). I have already tried to use an 89 frame that now is taking up space. I haven't had much luck locating an origional frame nearby (michigan). I would really enjoy any ideas that anybody has. I am currently set up with a 350/400 no TC yet. Thanks.

[DennyB]

Welcome to the boards hare56g.
What problems did you run into with the 89 chassis?

[Seon]

Any frame swap will not be an easy task. It'll require modifiying the receiving frame to accept the body mounts and may require moving the gas tank if it's mounted outboard of the frame. It's a do-able task provided you have the garage space, correct tools, money and time. Other than that, it's a piece of cake .

[hare56g]

Well where do I begin? The 89 is much wider, and taller, frame to axle so the springs would need relocating. Both axles are 6" wider and would need narrowing. Some sort of decking to attach the bed, and all new body mount would be needed. Much more than I am comfortable fabricating. I already have plans to move the tank and some other things so if it was just the mounts that would be great. I am hoping to find something with the right WB and simple differences to use.

[DennyB]

If you can find a SWB its just a matter of mounts and it would fit. problem is SWB 4x4s are not common in this area and when you do find one be prepared to pay a premium for the chassis.
The front axle under the 72 I have measures about 74" to the outsides of the tires.
Due to the different frame shapes i think the cab needs to be mounted a bit higher on the frame but when you have to fab the mounts anyway this is no biggie.
And of course the things with any frame swap, IE: steering hookups, brakes etc..

[cadman89]

I met a guy in St Augustine this past weekend with a great looking 55. He told me it was sitting on a 72 frame. He also said that he only had to use 4" blocks to raise the body up. I will be talking to him again next weekend and taking more pictures. I plan on getting any specs and information on his swap. He built the truck in 10 months.





Another interesting thing he did was run a metal tube from the original gass fill all the way back inside the frame rail to a rear mounted boat fuel cell for the gas tank.

[bigblockguy]

cadman89, that looks like a 2wd setup - correct? This is the exact frame swap I plan except I want to drop the bed and front clip down to the cab level rather than raising the cab. I think it would give it a great ride height. Thanks for the pics!

[cadman89]

Yes 2wd . I would like to see it lower also ...about 4 inches but think he wanted stock height. There seems to be room for the front end with a little more cutting around the steering box. The other side has no problem.

I think that the only problem is the bed height.



I think it sits right down on the frame at the rear. I will need to crawl under the truck and take more pictures.

Scott

[hare56g]

Thanks for the info. I will be stepping up my search for a good frame as soon as I finish moving to wisconsin. The more pics the better.

[gr8one]

wonder if it will work on a 1949 chevy truck (3100). im looking to do a frame swasp for a daily driver.

[qksilver]

I have seen a few on S-10 frames. The wheel base can be adjusted because the front is welded into the side frame rails. Grind down the welds and use a come along to pull the front stub further into the side rails. There is all sorts of V8 engine swap mounts that can use the orginal 700r trans and transfer case with the 4wheel drive ifs. Plus I have seen, I think ORD, has a kit to swap the irs for a solid axle. I saw that in off road mag last year or so. The trucks I saw were 2 wheel drive and it fit very well.It would be an easy, LOL, update with modern suspension

[rico_bob]

The 49 is a narrower frame width than the 55 second series. So the S-10 works better for the AD trucks...

And the early to mid 70's are a good match for the 55-59 I have been told.

my 2 cents worth... rico_bob

[dubie]

damn, I have a spare 72 rolling chassis I should cut down and use on the 58 project hmmmmmmmmmmmmmm

[hare56g]

If you have the spare it may be worth it. I have seen many how-to's on the board, so I'm sure someone could help if needed. Good luck

[dubie]

[QUOTE=cadman89][FONT=Comic Sans MS]I met a guy in St Augustine this past weekend with a great looking 55. He told me it was sitting on a 72 frame. He also said that he only had to use 4" blocks to raise the body up. I will be talking to him again next weekend and taking more pictures. I plan on getting any specs and information on his swap. He built the truck in 10 months.
[QUOTE]

Oh yes please! Any info you can get on the 72 swap would be EXTREMELY appreciated. We are going to be hoisting the rest of the body off the 58 chassis this weekend and would like to know as much as we can about the 72 frame swap. I have a nice 72 lwb rolling chassis that could be cut down

[cadman89]

I have his phone number but I think pictures would be best. I will see if he is going to the club meet on Feb 12th and hope it warms up around here. The 72 frame he used was about 3 inches longer than the original wheelbase. He mounted the bed back a little too far so there is a bigger space between the cab and the bed. Also the 4" riser blocks/Body mounts for some reason the cab seems to be going slightly down hill... I think you can see that a little in this picture.

I will try and get down and get more pictures.

Scott

[dubie]

I really appreciate the effort you put into this Scott. It really means a lot to have someone checking this out for us.
I see what ya mean about the cab coming forward a bit. It doesn't look like much, but just enough to be noticeable. If you could, would you be able to get a pic from the side so I can see the gap you're talkin about?

Many thanks bud
Tim

[cadman89]

I talked to the guy that owns the 55 on the 72 frame. His club is having a meet in the Orlando area the weekend of the 12th he also said he would be at his club meet on the 3rd Saturday in St Augustine so I will try to get pictures then.
2 other things...
I notice that the 72 front end bolts to the frame.
and
On page 88 of the Feb issue of Custom and Classic Trucks is a 57 on a 86 Frame out of North Carolina.

[dubie]

Hmm I don't have my issue of that mag yet. now i'm REALLY lookin forward to seeing it. Thanks for going the extra mile to get the pics bud, We really appreciate it!! You've been a great help already!