The Stovebolt Site Forums The Shop Area General Truck Talk Fitting old cab to new frame?

I was offered a '65 half ton frame for a case of beer. It has lowered independent in the front and a 12 bolt in the back with a locker already installed. My question is, will my cab off a 51 chevy fit? Any tips or leads would be very helpful. Thanks alot, Jess

Sounds like more work than it is worth. The track width is very different. Probably will be hard to make it look good in the end.
What do you want to have in the end?
Why did you consider the swap?
You may need to decide what you want your truck to do for you before you know how to change it.
If you want a locker swap just an axle.
If you want a newer frame try an s-10.

You may get some ideas by viewing my pictures on the link below.
Grigg

Start by thinking through your answer to Grigg's first question, What do you want to have in the end?

The front track width on the '65 is enough wider than your '51 that even with offset wheels you'll have trouble fitting them under the fenders. Guys who use that IFS under an AD truck often narrow it first.

That's not real practical if you want to use the complete frame.

Also when using that IFS they usually stay at stock height, at least in part because of tire/fender interference. Dropped spindles are going to increase that problem.

Search for stories of guys using '73 to '87 IFS under an AD truck. The IFS is actually the same from '63 to '87. The later ones have 5-lugs and disk brakes which seems to be why they are more popular.

The rear is more forgiving, but the '65 is still a little wide and will limit both your wheel choices and how low you can go.

Which rear suspension does it have? Leaf springs or trailing arms?

You don't say how long either truck is. A 1/2-ton AD should be 116 stock and often an inch or so longer lowered. I don't recall the length of a '65 but I think the short-box is shorter and I know the long box is longer.

You will catch heck tryin to use that frame for a 51, and it would end up looking really dorky with the wide track width.I wouldnt do it..

thanks. that answers my question. Jess

It's still worth a case of beer. Get it and offer it up to somebody here or sell it locally, unless your buddy would look down on that,
Scott

Did you notice where he lives?
That's a long road trip for most everyone that visits this page.

Unless you have a use or a buyer for the frame already I would save your beer.

Have to agree with Scott on this one - a good frame is always worth a case of beer to me...