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on the Internet for over 30 years! and not clogged down with Ads! Again, thanks! | | | | Joined: Feb 2007 Posts: 8 Junior Member | | Junior Member Joined: Feb 2007 Posts: 8 | Newbie here so feel free to rip me a new one. I really have read a lot of posts, and did a search, but still have 2 questions.
How do I remove the front clip on a '65 GMC?
I have a 77 burb for a donor to use to replace the whole drive train. How about using it for the whole suspension, steering, and brakes?
Thanks for any help. | | | | | Joined: Jan 2005 Posts: 305 Shop Shark | | Shop Shark Joined: Jan 2005 Posts: 305 |
ya I know a few rednecks.Thay all drive chevys to, Proud member of the Old Dominion Stovebolt Society AND A MARINE trucks range from 1942 1/2 ton to 1965 fire engine
| | | | | Joined: Jan 2005 Posts: 305 Shop Shark | | Shop Shark Joined: Jan 2005 Posts: 305 | no for real remove the hood first and then grill and fenders sorry could not resist you might be able to use the whole frame and just swap over the body
ya I know a few rednecks.Thay all drive chevys to, Proud member of the Old Dominion Stovebolt Society AND A MARINE trucks range from 1942 1/2 ton to 1965 fire engine
| | | | | Joined: Oct 2003 Posts: 5,152 Cruising in the Passing Lane | | Cruising in the Passing Lane Joined: Oct 2003 Posts: 5,152 | Originally posted by PoorOldSod: I have a 77 burb for a donor to use to replace the whole drive train. How about using it for the whole suspension, steering, and brakes? There are a lot of details you're not telling us... But if your GMC is leaf sprung in the rear as most were, most of the parts from the burb should swap with only a little trouble since the frame and suspension designs are very similar. Your '77 is 30 years old and may have a lot of worn out parts and really depending on use and maintenance might not be any better than the earlier parts, except for things like power steering, a dual master and disk brakes. But if those parts aren't in good shape you might be worse off after swapping them.
1955 1st GMC Suburban | 1954 GMC 250 trailer puller project | 1954 GMC 250 Hydra-Matic | 1954 Chevy 3100 . 1947 Chevy COE | and more... It's true. I really don't do anything but browse the Internet looking for trouble... | | | | | Joined: Feb 2007 Posts: 8 Junior Member | | Junior Member Joined: Feb 2007 Posts: 8 | Thank you for your quick and kind responses. I just knew this was the place to get all those secret short cuts. I will try that bolt idea. It just might work.
But all seriousness aside, I was hoping to get it off in one piece. After the hood is off, my 78 F@$D truck front end comes off with 10 bolts, IF you know where they are. Any such luck with the 65?
Your right, I was trying to keep my post short. My 65 GMC is a pretty wierd creature. It is some kind of custom built thing using a 1 ton GMC chassie and front end ritht up to the windshield. After that it is a aluminum box, very well and carefully made. Front windshield is like a school buss, but has "utility" doors to get in and out on both sides. Overall lenght is normal short bed. The box is too short to stand in, maybe 5 feet max. 3 big latch doors around the sides, but never insulated for meat or milk. SOOOO, I am not so sure about moving that mess over to a different frame.
I am buiding it to pull old trailers and stuff to vintage trailer gatherings, so the 454 and th400 from the burb are to get up the hill, and might as well use the dirve shaft and rear end. Yes, it is the leaf spring, and with the box, I have nothing but room under there. That all seems good enough to move.
Just trying to deciede on the front steering asyembly. | | | | | Joined: Oct 2003 Posts: 5,152 Cruising in the Passing Lane | | Cruising in the Passing Lane Joined: Oct 2003 Posts: 5,152 | Your GMC is different enough from anything I've taken apart that I'm not sure I know how to answer your question.
I would expect that undoing the bolts at the rear of the fenders, and removing a couple bolts under the radiator, should allow removing the stuff as a unit, somewhat like the Ford. But I don't know exactly where the bolts would be.
Being a heavier truck does change the suspension a bit. But if your Suburban is at least a 3/4-ton you should be able to swap over the complete front crossmember and steering.
On the crossmember it should fit in the right place but you may need to drill some additional holes or maybe make some holes larger.
You may need to make an adapter plate to mount the steering box. This is an area that is weak on these trucks anyway, so adding some strength isn't a bad idea.
1955 1st GMC Suburban | 1954 GMC 250 trailer puller project | 1954 GMC 250 Hydra-Matic | 1954 Chevy 3100 . 1947 Chevy COE | and more... It's true. I really don't do anything but browse the Internet looking for trouble... | | |
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