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| | | | Joined: Mar 2016 Posts: 1 Moderated | | Moderated Joined: Mar 2016 Posts: 1 | My GMC long frame on a 65 4x4 needs excessive repairs due to major rust out. I have access to a 63 Chevy 2wd long frame. Are the frames the same other than the suspensions and of course the axle? I'm hoping to be able to transfer the 4x4 axles to the donor frame. | | | | | Joined: May 2007 Posts: 1,718 Moderator: 60-66 Trucks; North Eastern Bolters | | Moderator: 60-66 Trucks; North Eastern Bolters Joined: May 2007 Posts: 1,718 | Welcome to the site. I think the Moderator will move this to the 60-66 forum where you might have more response. I know someone there will have your answer.
HB | | | | | Joined: May 2005 Posts: 8,983 Sir Searchalot | | Sir Searchalot Joined: May 2005 Posts: 8,983 | If you have a GMC Truck, the motor/mounts are for a V6 or I6. The GMC frame is different than a Chevy and the 2WD is different than a 4X4.
If I read your post correctly, you have a 65 GMC 4X4 and have access to a 63 Chevy 2WD, so examine the differences. Anything is possible and it's all been done by somebody. All you need is a tape measure, a plan, a welder, some fab skills and time. It would be a miracle if someone here knows the exact differences between those two trucks.
Check 4X4 frame channel is deeper/stronger, frame horns/mounting features different for bumpers/radiator/grille, Some GMC's are longer for long motor, motor and tranny mounts different (depending on what motor and trans we are talking), body mounts, coil front/trailing arm rear on 2WD, all leaf on 4X4, Xfer case mounting features, shock mounts, Hydraulic clutch vs. mechanical, and etc.
As you can see, you have:
1. Year differences.
2. GMC/Chevy differences.
3. 2WD/4WD differences
all at once.
Possible bag of worms, fab nightmare and Frankentruck looks. A lot does depend on your skills or your money.
Bottom line: Not even close to a "bolt on" swap.
Right is right, even if everyone is against it, and wrong is wrong, even if everyone is for it. - William Penn
| | | | | Joined: Mar 2009 Posts: 788 'Bolter | | 'Bolter Joined: Mar 2009 Posts: 788 | If you have a GMC Truck, the motor/mounts are for a V6 or I6. The GMC frame is different than a Chevy and the 2WD is different than a 4X4.
If I read your post correctly, you have a 65 GMC 4X4 and have access to a 63 Chevy 2WD, so examine the differences. Anything is possible and it's all been done by somebody. All you need is a tape measure, a plan, a welder, some fab skills and time. It would be a miracle if someone here knows the exact differences between those two trucks.
Check 4X4 frame channel is deeper/stronger, frame horns/mounting features different for bumpers/radiator/grille, Some GMC's are longer for long motor, motor and tranny mounts different (depending on what motor and trans we are talking), body mounts, coil front/trailing arm rear on 2WD, all leaf on 4X4, Xfer case mounting features, shock mounts, Hydraulic clutch vs. mechanical, and etc.
As you can see, you have:
1. Year differences.
2. GMC/Chevy differences.
3. 2WD/4WD differences
all at once.
Possible bag of worms, fab nightmare and Frankentruck looks. A lot does depend on your skills or your money.
Bottom line: Not even close to a "bolt on" swap. why would it be a miracle? there are quite a few conversions done. though not many well. the frame is 2" deeper on a 4 x 4 but only pretty well on ths section that runs under the cab and back to where it raises up. frame horns and mounting features are the same for bumpers/ radiator and grille. some GMcs are not longer for long motor. the 60/62 has different items as you say but a 63 frame is similiar to a 65. It was mentioned to him on another forum that if he wants to pursue it that he should look for a GMC frame from 63/6 as they come with semi elliptics in the back. he would have insatll mounting for t/case and such ron | | | | | Joined: Mar 2009 Posts: 788 'Bolter | | 'Bolter Joined: Mar 2009 Posts: 788 | 1960-66 frame dimensions
Frame dimensions are as follows:
1963-66
½ ton 2WD: 6-1/32 x 2-1/2 x 5/32
¾ ton 2WD: 6-1/8 x 2-17/32 x 3/16
One ton 2WD: 8-1/8 x 2-13/16 x 3/16
½ ton 4WD 115” WB: 8-1/32 x 2-25/32 x 9/64
½ ton 4WD 127” WB: 8-1/8 x 2-13/16 x 3/16
¾ ton 4WD: 8-1/8 x 2-13/16 x 3/16
As you can see, even the ½ ton 4WD long bed uses the same size frame member
as the one ton 2WD.
1960-62 frame ,measurements
½ ton 2WD: 5-15/32 x 2-1/4 x 1/8
¾ ton 2WD: 7-3/16 x 2-3/4 x 3/16
½ and ¾ ton 4WD: 7-13/64 x 2-3/4 x 3/16
I think that these measurements should be stored somewhere
ron | | | | | Joined: Nov 2011 Posts: 1,611 'Bolter | | 'Bolter Joined: Nov 2011 Posts: 1,611 | I thought the 2wd versions in that era had torsion bar front suspension and coil spring rear...at least on 1/2 ton models? All leaf springs for the 4wd.
Last edited by Paul_WNC; 03/19/2017 2:58 PM.
| | | | | Joined: Mar 2009 Posts: 788 'Bolter | | 'Bolter Joined: Mar 2009 Posts: 788 | 60-62 had torsion bars. 63-66 GMC had semi elliptic springs on the rear. chev did not. he is talking about converting tha 2 wd over to 4 x 4. this link is one of the better conversions around http://67-72chevytrucks.com/vboard/showthread.php?t=448681ron
Last edited by padresag; 03/19/2017 3:20 PM.
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