The Stovebolt Site Forums The Parking Lot '60-'66 Trucks 61 4x4 Frame Swap

Does anyone have any experience with a 4x4 frame swap on a 2wd 61 Apache 20? Basically what I’m doing is trying to find a complete running later 60s, 70s, or early 80s ¾ ton or even better, a 1 ton, 4x4 truck that I can swap my 61 body onto. I realize a lot of the purists are yelling at their computers right now about how it’s no longer a 61 and plotting to hang me for even thinking of such a thing, but that’s OK, I’ll get over the disapproval. ;-) Anyway, the only thing I’m really set on at this point is that I want a carbureted V8, preferably a 350 but I’m open to anything GM. I have no problem fabricating body mounts or modifying panels to make stuff fit and look right, and I plan on giving it a 2-3 inch body lift anyway so the frame doesn’t have to be a near perfect match to the stock one. I was just curious if there’s anyone else out there that has already done something like this that may have some advice for me about what frames might work better than others or stuff that I might need to think about other than frame dimensions and wheel base. Thanks for your time.

Let me know when you do it ill buy your drivetrain,frame

Do what I did. I got a 76 4x4 frame and pulled the spring hangers off and put them on my 61 4x4 frame. Now I can use any 73-87 suspension lift. That way i had the same frame, and didnt have to worry about the body. Check out this thread, its my truck. One more thing, its your truck do what you want to it.

http://67-72chevytrucks.com/vboard/showthread.php?t=333036

Joek, I'll keep you in mind when I go to sell the frame, and drivetrain. 62 short step, thanks for the reply but it looks like you had the 4x4 frame to start with... And unfortunately the 2wd frame is different, it’s a great, strong, stiff frame but the rear is swing arm suspension and not leaf springs, and the frame has an angle to the front of it because its stock IFS that makes leaf springs impossible without fabricating spring perches or an entire subframe. In addition to that I would have to swap in the engine and trans/t-case, fabricate mounts for those, and then have custom drivelines made. All of which is doable, but also more difficult and expensive than swapping in another frame and modifying the body mounts. Thanks to everyone for their replies… Keep ‘em comming! Oh, and I was just joking about the purists, I have complete respect for the work it takes to restore any vehicle to factory spec. Its just not my style. Thanks again!

Oh,I didnt realize you have a 2wd. I have an extra bare 60-66 gmc 4x4 frame.

Yeah, sorry about that, I guess I didn’t specify. I’ll change the original post to include that little tidbit… Anyways, thanks for the offer but I’d blow my whole budget buying it and getting it up here. I know its going to happen anyway, but it looks bad to the missus when it’s all at once. :-) Oh, yeah, I forgot to mention on the last post, I took a look at those pics of your truck, I hope mine looks half that good when I’m done… Any more ideas on a good donor truck, anyone?

Thanks for the props! Its been a long process.

im putting a 61 k 10 on a 85 chev 1 ton frame right now so far it has been real straight forward the two frames are both 34 in wide the 85 does not have body mounts on the out side of the frame in back so no cutting the old ones off there just had to cut the mid mounts off.first i put the rear body mounts as low as i could with leaving a two in gap between body and frame then to make the cab level i cut off the 61 mounts and fabricated mid mounts with a 4 in lift and put those on the 85 frame so far it has come together looking good i think this would be a lot harder to make look right on a 2whl drive but 4wh drive it looks good also its a dually flat bed so i dont have to worry about rear wheels lining up ill try to post some picks for you.

that would be great if i could get some pics of the swap your doing westco. so far the hardest part seems to be finding a truck with the right wheel base. I'm finding all kinds of great donor trucks but most of them are the lighter duty 3/4 tons and they seem to have a longer wheel base of 135" instead of the 127" that i need. the only truck i've found so far the appears to be a perfect match is my neighbors 83 Suburban... too bad he's not selling it and i cant find any 3/4 ton 4x4 Burbans in my price range. :-(

this is the best i could do for pics. ill try to get better ones later this is the only way i could get them on here is with links steve
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