frame swap

[63 extreme low]

Anyone know if my 63 cab will go on a 71 frame? Got a good deal on a short frame my truck is a long bed. Want to shorten mine also gives me five lug w/disc brakes.

[sams60gmc]

Try a search. I'm fairly certain that a similar question has been asked before.

[SCOTI]

The rear cab mounts are higher for a 6x-66 vs. a 67-72. You'll need to raise the mount or build a spacer to make up the difference.

The front radiator support mounts will also require a similar mod. They're slightly higher & forward vs. the 67-72 frame.

The radiator mounts attach to a crossmember/splash apron on the 6x-66's. The 67-72 frame have a different splash apron (different shape, different location, does not support the radiator).

The front frame horns are a different shape. If running a roll pan the horns are cut off so that's not much of an obstacle. If a bumper is planned, you'll need to fab new mounts or graft the 6x-66 frame horns to the 67-72 frame.

[63 extreme low]

So could I just lower the front mounts, maybe notch the cab? Kinda like a body drop? Could I use the mounts off the 63 frame? Thanks for the info guys!

[SCOTI]

Originally Posted by 63 extreme low

So could I just lower the front mounts, maybe notch the cab? Kinda like a body drop? Could I use the mounts off the 63 frame? Thanks for the info guys!

You prob could lower the front mounts & channel the cab floor where necessary. You also will need to consider it will require rasing the bedfloor a matching amount which would be a fair amount of work.

Seems the easiest way is to use a spacer in addition to the rear cab mount. Since the front radiator support mount has to shift forward & up, it would be easier on that one to just relocate the existing bracket.

Another thing to consider..... I've always heard 60-62's had different oreintation on the cab mounts vs. 63 & later trucks. I've never crawled under & looked @ a 63 to make sure if that year break-down is 100% correct. I know the cab mounts on a 64 are similar & I'm assuming your 63's are like the 64's. You might want to verifiy this to be 100% sure (60-62's cab mounts had longer mounts that were farther out-board on the cab floor; 63-72's should be closer to the frame ~2" or so....).

[ruffrida2005]

It might be less work and easier to just swap over the 71 stuff to the 63 frame and cut the 63 frame down for a short bed!

[63 extreme low]

Thanks guys, I am picking up the frame this week. Hopefully I can get some pics posted this weekend. I will take some measurements and let you know what I decide. The bed floor really isn't a problem I was going to raise it anyway.

[62gmc910]

one more point to ponder; the power steering box bolts right up to the 71 frame

[63 extreme low]

I thought about that too. I want this truck to sit as low as possible but I want to drive the wheels off it!

[ruffrida2005]

If you end up going witht he 63, you can buy the adapter from captinfab for the gear box

[63 extreme low]

This is what I want, gonna go with blue not black.

[63 extreme low]

another one

[63 extreme low]

what do you guys think about a darker blue (flat) with red wheels and red flake on top?

[63 extreme low]

Like this. Sorta

[Captainfab]

It would probably be the easiest to transfer the cab mounts and radiator support mounts from the '63 frame to the '71 frame along with the radiator crossmember and front frame horns.