The Stovebolt Site Forums The Shop Area General Truck Talk AD to 81 C/K frame

Has anyone tried putting a 50, 3100 cab and bed on a 81 halfton C/K frame. There is about 15" diff in wheelbase. Thinking of putting tool box between cab and bed to fill in the space.

Seems like a lot of work to swap in a frame with too long a wheel
base as well as too wide a track width.

What's wrong with your frame? If a IFS is Your goal, welding in a clip would be easier.

My frame is fine, but will need to make a complete swap of IFS, motor, tranny and rear end, can't decide which way would be less work. Know track width will require offset wheels, but with them all way round shouldn't be too bad. Rear end is a 3.?? haven't checked it for sure, want a good MPG. The 81 drives and rides like a caddy!!!

Had some thoughs of just shortening the frame, on C/K, as that isn't too big a deal. Could use offset wheels all way round.

I've never swapped frames but it must be more difficult than just backspacing wheels. You will have cab mount issues. Then you'll have to deal with your front sheetmetal, grill and etc. Your bed won't fit the frame either. A lot of extra work. You will probably save a few bucks but you'll spend that on a divorce.
Everyone sees things differently, but from my frame of reference I would put a 10 or 12 bolt GM rear with open drive and a Mustang II IFS.
Just my 2 cents...

I agree with Big Chevy. I put my 57 3/4ton on a 81 4x4 frame. I had to shorten the frame 8.5", butt weld it, and fabricate and weld gussetts to each side of the frame. I also had to fabricate body mounts, and Core support mounts. It was a lot of put-on, and take-off, to get it right. Without the right equipment, taking the cab on and off exposes it to damage. The outcome was beautiful, but a lot of work. The only reason I did it was because I wanted a modern 4x4 and there's no aftermarket "kit" way of doing that. With all of the companies catering to AD trucks, both resto and aftermarket, I would definitly go the IFS and Open rear route with a 2wd. Just my $0.02.

Thanks for all the info, at the moment, I am leaning toward, just using the IFS, 350/350 and trade for a rearend that will fit. Can buy crossmembers, etc, readily available. I don't have much room in garage, and lifting the cab would be a huge deal. Keep up the good work, thanks for the input.