73-87chevytrucks.com

73-87 Chevy _ GMC Trucks => Brakes, Frame, Steering & Suspension => Topic started by: werewolfx13 on February 18, 2009, 02:53:25 am

Title: Need some frame pics
Post by: werewolfx13 on February 18, 2009, 02:53:25 am
If anyone has em, I'd like to see some pics of body-less frames with cab mounts in tact, some of the 73-80 vintage as well as the 81-87 vintage. I'm still planning on swapping my '83 2wd shortbed body onto a '76 3/4t 4x4 frame, but it'll be sometime next year probably, and I'd like to be able to know where to place the new cab mounts on the old frame when I'm cutting the frame down to fit my shortbed.

Also, somewhat related, the 3/4t is the lightest 3/4t package that was offered from the factory, still an 8 lug setup though. Would that most likely be a d44 front/d60 rear, or a d44 front/14 bolt rear? Will either of the said setups fit 15" wheels?  The truck is 30 miles away, or I'd just go scope out the axles for myself.
Title: Re: Need some frame pics
Post by: HAULIN IT on February 18, 2009, 10:04:27 am
Unless your putting a 4dr cab on the reg frame, the cab mounts are in the same place...All years 2wd & 4x4, 1/2 ton & 3/4 ton. The work is behind the cab. You need to cut some out (14" or so) & weld it back together & cut some off of the back. Do a search in Member's Projects "LWB to SWB conversion" by Vile. He has a great play-by-play on it. Lorne
Title: Re: Need some frame pics
Post by: Captkaos on February 18, 2009, 11:09:15 am
It is also linked on the homepage under tech pages:  http://www.73-87chevytrucks.com/lwb_to_swb.htm

A Crew Cab WON'T fit a LWB truck frame...
Title: Re: Need some frame pics
Post by: werewolfx13 on February 18, 2009, 12:39:15 pm
thanks, I thought I remembered there was a slight difference in cab mounts between 73-80 and 81-87, but I was probably thinking of something else.
Title: Re: Need some frame pics
Post by: frogman68 on February 18, 2009, 12:46:39 pm
thanks, I thought I remembered there was a slight difference in cab mounts between 73-80 and 81-87, but I was probably thinking of something else.

The rubber mounts are different but the location of the mounts are the same.

Someone will correct me if I am wrong :) Use the mounts for the year frame you are using
Title: Re: Need some frame pics
Post by: ccz145a on February 18, 2009, 01:11:11 pm
Quote
Someone will correct me if I am wrong  Use the mounts for the year frame you are using
That is correct, the shape of the mounting hole is different. This is the hole in the bracket the the mount fits in, only the same range mount will fit well in the hole.
Title: Re: Need some frame pics
Post by: Captkaos on February 18, 2009, 02:23:50 pm
The cab mounts as stated are different.  Use the mounts specific to the frame not the body.
Title: Re: Need some frame pics
Post by: werewolfx13 on February 18, 2009, 02:30:42 pm
Ok, thanks. I thought I remembered something was different.
Title: Re: Need some frame pics
Post by: HAULIN IT on February 18, 2009, 04:50:00 pm
Chris, Looking back, I guess I wasn't real clear...What I was trying to say was if you were going to build a 4dr truck, say with a shortbed & you had a 4x4 long bed frame. Only then, you would have to worry about dealing with any (rear) mounts during the chop/roll up another rear section. I was thinking "for instance" as when it would be needed & didn't type enough, Sorry. Lorne   
Title: Re: Need some frame pics
Post by: werewolfx13 on February 18, 2009, 06:11:36 pm
I knew what ya meant  ;D

Will rear d60 or 3/4 ton 14 bolt brake drums clear 15x8" wheels?
Title: Re: Need some frame pics
Post by: Captkaos on February 18, 2009, 10:01:31 pm
AFAIK, they won't.
Title: Re: Need some frame pics
Post by: werewolfx13 on February 20, 2009, 02:04:26 am
Hrm, ok thanks.
I was assuming something I probably shouldn't..are the rear brake lines on a 3/4t 4x4 interchangeable with a 1/2t long bed 4x4? When I can finally dive into this project, I was planning on some stainless hard lines and just getting them for a 1/2t shortbed 4x4, brake and fuel both, but I've been nosing around and have seen different part #'s for 1/2 and 3/4 tons..I've also noticed a shortage of brake lines for 4x4s..Any ideas/suggestions? I know I can run aluminum fuel line and custom bend it myself, which is fine by me, and I know a few guys that are using refrigeration "soft" copper for their brake lines, but I'd rather not go that route myself..
Title: Re: Need some frame pics
Post by: werewolfx13 on February 26, 2009, 01:32:35 am
I did some nosing around, and a lot of people are running 15" wheels on 14bolt drum setups..They're close, but they clear without modification. Just thought I'd come back and add that tidbit if anyone else was wondering the same thing. The d44 calipers will still require grinding, but I can buy the much needed new set of tires (planning on 30x10.50 swamper TSL radials, or 31x10.50 cooper discoverer STT, whichever works out to be cheaper) for my 2wd and just buy a set of cheap 15" 8 lug steel wheels for the tires after the swap, assuming they're still in good shape by that time.
Title: Re: Need some frame pics
Post by: Captkaos on February 26, 2009, 05:45:55 pm
Thanks for the info confirmation.
Title: Re: Need some frame pics
Post by: 75??? franken-trunk on March 22, 2009, 04:48:27 am
I did some nosing around, and a lot of people are running 15" wheels on 14bolt drum setups..They're close, but they clear without modification. Just thought I'd come back and add that tidbit if anyone else was wondering the same thing. The d44 calipers will still require grinding, but I can buy the much needed new set of tires (planning on 30x10.50 swamper TSL radials, or 31x10.50 cooper discoverer STT, whichever works out to be cheaper) for my 2wd and just buy a set of cheap 15" 8 lug steel wheels for the tires after the swap, assuming they're still in good shape by that time.


 i didn't know 15's fit over 14 bolt drums but they fit on 10 b0lt and d44 fronts a belive its tjhe d60's the need reshapeing    try k5colorado.com in the links its in there somewhere.....
Title: Re: Need some frame pics
Post by: fitz on March 22, 2009, 08:49:40 am
You can run 15"s on a 14 bolt. You just have to be carefull that you don't use the stick on wheel weights that go on the inside of the rim, they might hit the drum.
Title: Re: Need some frame pics
Post by: BigHemi353 on March 22, 2009, 10:20:03 am
(http://i193.photobucket.com/albums/z177/Bighemi353/1218081729.jpg)
He's right....the ones on my truck are 15x10's

Andy
Title: Re: Need some frame pics
Post by: 78 Chevyrado on March 23, 2009, 02:16:55 am
Yep even on the 2wd 3/4t's, 15's fit the drums but you have to grind on the front calipers.