The Stovebolt Site Forums The Parking Lot '60-'66 Trucks K series truck questions

Do guys put these bodies on later model 4x4 frames due to better ride quality or what is the reason. I also see alot of them swapping out the original front and rear ends for the later models as well. I am thinking about buying/building a short bed K10 and am having issues with these questions. I am looking at one now but I think it has a later model frame under it. Any pros or cons to going either way.

I have a photo of the frame but I can't seem to find a way to post it. I don't use photobucket and am wondering if that is how I am suppose to show it.

you have to be able to link to your photo, so you will need an online facility such as photobucket
it is a lot simpler to install the later axles than it is to shorten a frame and fabricate body mounting, you also have all of your original vin # that correspond between frame and body by just changing driveline.
you can usually spot a later frame under these trucks quite easily as the wheels are not usually centred due to a difference in w/base.
If you are looking at a converted one, make sure that they have done the proper documentation of vin# with the local MVB. if not and you ever get it chked(which can happen if you are ever in an accident).a couple of thinks can happen depending on area. void your insurance and or confiscation of the truck upon proper registration. the frame(which also has a vin# and perhaps came out of a stolen vehicle)from another must be registered, but usually upon doing this there is usually an inspection done by the MVB . it cost money(the inspection) and they more than likely will not approve it unless everything is done properly.
buyer beware!!
there are also a lot of 2 wheel drive trucks out there with cab or frame changes that are also not registered propery.
ron

http://i1192.photobucket.com/albums/aa325/rs1974/66K10bed.jpg

Trying to figure this photobucket thing out here.

Okay so now that I got that up, does this look like a newer frame to anyone. If it is then I probably won't mess with buying it. Thanks

The rear half, as shown in the photo, is a factory '63-'66 Chevy K10 truck. Any photos of the front suspension?

I would agree with Tony on this
ron

Thanks Tony, unfortunatly I do not have any pics of the front suspension. But at least I know it is a period correct frame for this truck.

the Chevytalk forum has several discussions on this. As I understand it, the later model axles can be swapped out but are a little wider. Backspacing on the rims can help. The spring perches may need to be changed. Another plus is that you can get disc brakes on the front. The GMC trucks about 63 had hydralic clutch and its harder to get the the disc brakes set up. But this is better than trying to make the frame fit the body...

It looks a little short just behind the rearest crossmember. From that crossmember it should be about 13 inches. Other than that its an original frame. It may have been a suburban frame where they rivited an extension to the rear frame to make up the difference in length. It may have been taken off?

that looks about right for the end of the frame. the bumper brackets will cover that space. it is not a suburban frame
ron

The rear frame rail ends are correct and the Suburban/Panel frame-to-body perches are different, than their truck counterparts.

Mine is a 3/4 ton long box and that is what I was compairing it to, but looking at it closer it looks like a shortbed stepside?