Frame Identification

[rausbern]

All -

I'm needing some help identifying a couple of chevy truck frames.  I bought a couple of project trucks and of the stuff I purchased, is supposed to be two mid 80's model frames (one short bed frame and one long bed frame that has been cut down to a short bed frame).  The shortbed frame had the rear leaf springs removed for some stupid reason.  I have no use for the hacked frame; however, I was going to use the rear springs, but upon further inspection, the rear spring mounts are not the same so now I have no idea what I'm dealing with.  Is there some sort of identification number somewhere on the frame that helps identify what is was originally part of?

Randy

[roundedline]

There is a part number stamped on the frame, but I don't know of a way to tie it to the leaf mounts.

Chris Lucas
www.73-87chevytrucks.com
www.captkaoscustoms.com
Project Su
Jimmy 2WD Project

[rausbern]

Where would I find the part number and what informtion can I get once I have that number?

Thanks,
Randy

[rausbern]

I guess what I'm asking is how can I figure out what year model truck the frame originally come from so that I will be able to get the proper parts?

Thanks,
Randy

[roundedline]

It should be able to give you the year, but if you are just looking for where to get parts from ANY 73-87 truck will work as a donor.

Chris Lucas
www.73-87chevytrucks.com
www.captkaoscustoms.com
Project Su
Jimmy 2WD Project

[Pushrod]

Pictures? How wide are the leaf springs?

[joesgarage71]

There should be numbers stamped into the frame on the left side under the cab.
Steve

Edited by: joesgarage71 at: 2/4/07 4:55 pm

[rausbern]

Thanks for the information.  I will take pictures to help illustrate my question about the springs this weekend.

Randy

[rausbern]

The only number I found is one that is stamped into the side of the frame below the dirver side.  It doesn't look like a VIN, but here it is
14007645
and then below that was
8  213    S

It was just behind the crossmember.

I don't know what it tells me though.

Any information would be appreciated.

Randy

[Blazin]

Randy What are you building a 4x4 or 4x2? You say the spring mounts are diferent? If the old ones are removed I am assuming the holes on the donor spring mounts don't line up with the holes on the frame that you want to use. Anyone correct me if I am wrong but the only diferences I know of for rear sping mounts are 4x2 & 4x4. 4x4 mounts are taller and hangdown below the frame farther that 4x2 mounts do. For some reason I am thinking long bed springs are longer than short bed springs?
Are the front horns rounded or are they cut off at an angle? 81 and up they are cut off at anangle to clear the angled bumper.

[joesgarage71]

That is not VIN stamped on the frame.
the 14007645 is the part number
the 8 213 is the date,as in the 213th day of the year 1988

[Blazin]

That might explain why the spring mounts don't line up. Unless its a one ton, Blazer, or Burb the frame is not even the same.

[joesgarage71]

If anybody knows a parts man at gm dealer they could run that part number to see what that frame is.
You might look ontop of the frame forward of the rear cab mounts there should be a VIN or part of a VIN.
Steve

[roundedline]

Quote: Anyone correct me if I am wrong but the only diferences I know of for rear sping mounts are 4x2 & 4x4. 4x4 mounts are taller and hangdown below the frame farther that 4x2 mounts do. For some reason I am thinking long bed springs are longer than short bed springs?

This info is correct.  The HD suspensions on they use longer springs, but they can be relocated if you have the shorter ones.  They are 53" vs 56".  The 56" versions have 5 or more leafs.

Chris Lucas
www.73-87chevytrucks.com
www.captkaoscustoms.com
Project Su
Jimmy 2WD Project

[Fast68]

not all 56" have that many, lots of the 70s 4x4 trucks only had 4 or 5 leaves total like under my 77 k-10

not a good rule of thumb here, sorry

way to tell year group of the frame is by the front horns

if they are closed not angled off like they are cut off then its a pre-80

if they are cut off at an angle about 45 degrees the its an 81-up


and no not all longbed were 56" rear

lots of longbed were 52"

such as the 80s k-20 trucks, many of these had 52"

i have owned many, the most recent was an 82 k-20 last fall

it had 52" under it

and dual tanks, in which were the 16 gallon little ones, instead of longbed 20 gallon ones,


gm did real funny things over the years

good luck