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| | | | Joined: Jun 2000 Posts: 15 Wrench Fetcher | | Wrench Fetcher Joined: Jun 2000 Posts: 15 | Hi, Ya'll, I haven't been on here for a while, but I'm wondering about a major project.
I have a '57 Chevy truck. It is not on the origional frame, and I don't know what frame is under it now. The guy that did the front brakes guessed that it might be late '70's or early '80's, but who knows. It has been cut and spliced twice, so it is not the stock wheelbase, either.
What I am wanting to do is to swap my cab and bed onto a frame from a late model full size 1/2 ton truck. I'm not looking for a front frame clip or a S-10 frame (not wide enough).
Has anyone on here ever done this?
Thanks, Kinky6
< Passin' Side ........ Sui-Side >
| | | | | Joined: Jan 2008 Posts: 239 Wrench Fetcher | | Wrench Fetcher Joined: Jan 2008 Posts: 239 | The only frame that's going to fit under a 57 RIGHT is a TF, 55.2 to 59 frame, or something custom made.
GM ran the same chassis on their trucks from 73-87. I have seen those adapted under a TF, never quite fit right. Those frames have curves the trucks aren't built for. There are wheelbase issues to boot. I can't remember for sure, the later one is longer or shorter by a few inches.
I measured a friend's 97 standard cab swb 1/2 ton against my own 57 I had at the time and wheelbase and track width looked good, but the frame was much wider in the center and had far more curves than a TF.
A TF frame is basically a ladder frame, virtually straight. GM went away from that in 1960 when independent suspension first arrived.
What are your goals for your truck, how are you going to use it, how do you want it to ride, and at what height do you want it to ride?
Devin
If you can't hose it out it ain't a truck
55 3100
63 Corvair Monza
64 El Camino
72 240Z
01 Suburban
| | | | | Joined: Oct 2003 Posts: 5,152 Cruising in the Passing Lane | | Cruising in the Passing Lane Joined: Oct 2003 Posts: 5,152 | There are several generations of frames all of which have advantages and disadvantages. Its best to start with a clear understanding of how you want to use the truck when its finished and then work from there to decide what frame would be best.
Frankly the easiest approach would be to find a stock '57 frame and put it back stock if you don't have a real good reason for changing it.
Even if you want IFS and IRS starting with a stock frame is going to be the easiest project.
Ignore '60 to '62 because they are unique and a reason to upgrade by themselves.
'63 to '70 are usually upgraded with '71 to '87 parts so why not start with a later one.
'71 and '72 have 5-lug disk brakes but '73 and later are enough better its common to upgrade the '71 and '72 to later parts.
'73 to '87 (and later in Suburbans and some others) are commonly used to upgrade earlier trucks.
'88 to '98 and '99 to current are different enough I can't really speak to them. The four-wheel versions are IFS and therefore not popular with swappers and the two-wheel versions are quite wide and I've not seen a swap done with one.
What about one of these is worth the work to swap it?
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: Jun 2000 Posts: 15 Wrench Fetcher | | Wrench Fetcher Joined: Jun 2000 Posts: 15 | "The only frame that's going to fit under a 57 RIGHT is a TF, 55.2 to 59 frame, or something custom made."
* Fair enough, but I don't have a stock frame to work with. I could get a '56 frame w/ a front steer Camaro clip in it from a local yard. I wasn't looking foward to buying a couple of lengths of 2x6 and fabbing a new frame.
"GM ran the same chassis on their trucks from 73-87. I have seen those adapted under a TF, never quite fit right. Those frames have curves the trucks aren't built for. There are wheelbase issues to boot. I can't remember for sure, the later one is longer or shorter by a few inches."
* So this might be a good guess as to what I have. It doesn't really seem to sit quite right, and there are some wheelbase issues - not only did they cut and splice the frame twice, but they also shortened the bed about 6-8".
"I measured a friend's 97 standard cab swb 1/2 ton against my own 57 I had at the time and wheelbase and track width looked good, but the frame was much wider in the center and had far more curves than a TF. A TF frame is basically a ladder frame, virtually straight. GM went away from that in 1960 when independent suspension first arrived."
* Well, I was hoping to find a roll-over wreck, strip off the cab & bed, and use the newer driveline under my vintage sheetmetal, but that would take all the fun out of it, huh?
"What are your goals for your truck, how are you going to use it, how do you want it to ride, and at what height do you want it to ride?"
Devin I bought this heap to use as a utility truck, hauling parts, tow a trailer once in a while, drive to work sometimes, etc. Riding like a truck is fine, maybe slightly lowered is O.K., I'm not interested in slamming or bagging it, or making a show car out of it. I do have a stock short bed that I'd like to put on it. The really oddball part is, I have a spare cab and doors, and I would like to make a stretch cab, maybe 14-18" added, for a little inside storage. This is the part that has had me thinking about a longer wheelbase late model frame. Thanks, Kinky6.
< Passin' Side ........ Sui-Side >
| | | | | Joined: Aug 2006 Posts: 486 'Bolter | | 'Bolter Joined: Aug 2006 Posts: 486 | However you decide to do this, please take lots of pictures and keep us (me) posted. I'm planning a similar project. I have a '59 short/narrow, a '55.2 panel, and a '77 short/narrow to work with. I want to take about 6" to 8" out of the front of the bed and extend the cab about that same amount. I don't need a back seat but just want to add some leg room and a little storage. Here's a site that sells kits for the frame swap. http://www.e-zchassisswaps.com/1955.htmI haven't purchased one but have it bookmarked for when I get to this project. I'm still undecided about whether to use the '77 frame or leave it on the '59. I won't get time to work on this for some time so I'm still just planning and gathering info now. Good luck with it. Jeff
'64 swb stepside (gone)
'57 1 ton
'53 phone truck
'59 swb
'46 1 1/2 ton
'68 swb gmc
| | | | | Joined: Jun 2000 Posts: 15 Wrench Fetcher | | Wrench Fetcher Joined: Jun 2000 Posts: 15 | jfnar, thanks for posting that link. If these guys have got the mounting problems with this frame series sorted out, you may be on to something. Their prices don't seem too outrageous.
I really hate the idea of cutting up a panel truck to get your extra space, though.
Who knows, maybe I could make you a good deal on a shortened bed later on?
Thanks, Kinky6.
< Passin' Side ........ Sui-Side >
| | | | | Joined: Aug 2006 Posts: 486 'Bolter | | 'Bolter Joined: Aug 2006 Posts: 486 | I've got mixed feelings about cutting up anything this old but this panel has been wrecked and is beyond what I feel is practical to repair. Besides the material to make quarter panels, I'll get an engine and a few other needed parts and then pass it on to others to pick over. The other two trucks are also in questionable shape so I'm taking three boneyard candidates to make one driver. At least that's the plan. Only time will tell. Let me know how the adapter kit works out. Good luck.
Jeff
'64 swb stepside (gone)
'57 1 ton
'53 phone truck
'59 swb
'46 1 1/2 ton
'68 swb gmc
| | | | | Joined: Sep 2009 Posts: 105 Shop Shark | | Shop Shark Joined: Sep 2009 Posts: 105 | FYI I have a 59 3100 rolling chassis for sale. It has suspension, rear end and drum brakes. PM me if you are interested. | | |
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