Author Topic: 1982 stepside frame Interchangeable with?  (Read 6842 times)

Offline Dapumpkin

  • Newbie
  • Posts: 14
1982 stepside frame Interchangeable with?
« on: December 18, 2014, 07:09:07 am »
I have had this truck for 15 years. When i started this project i was unaware the frame was tweaked. The closer I got down to the chassis i started noticing flaws.

My question is what frames will work with my 82 step side bed and cab. This is the same truck as my Avatar.

Thanks

Offline zieg85

  • Global Moderator
  • Senior Member
  • ****
  • Posts: 7595
    • 73-87 GM squarebody extended cab and conversions up to 91 R/V series
Re: 1982 stepside frame Interchangeable with?
« Reply #1 on: December 18, 2014, 07:20:13 am »
An exact match is a 1981-1987 short bed frame 117" wheel base 2 wheel drive, they are all the same
Carl 
1985 C20 Scottsdale 7.4L 4 speed 3.21
1986 C10 under construction
https://www.facebook.com/groups/248658382003506/

Offline Irish_Alley

  • Tim
  • Senior Member
  • ****
  • Posts: 13333
  • Family is not an important thing. It's everything.
Re: 1982 stepside frame Interchangeable with?
« Reply #2 on: December 18, 2014, 07:22:18 am »
you can even use a older frame but you have to use that year body mounts
If you can’t tell yourself the truth, who can you tell it to?~Irish_Alley

When you have eliminated the impossible, whatever remains, however improbable, must be the truth ~Sherlock Holmes

Offline Dapumpkin

  • Newbie
  • Posts: 14
Re: 1982 stepside frame Interchangeable with?
« Reply #3 on: December 18, 2014, 07:43:26 am »
Thanks!

I found a truck near me but it is a 83 C14 short bed no step side. I have never heard of C14 what is the difference?

Offline zieg85

  • Global Moderator
  • Senior Member
  • ****
  • Posts: 7595
    • 73-87 GM squarebody extended cab and conversions up to 91 R/V series
Re: 1982 stepside frame Interchangeable with?
« Reply #4 on: December 18, 2014, 08:40:10 am »
C14 is a typo on the title more than likely and that is what the owner used to list it
Carl 
1985 C20 Scottsdale 7.4L 4 speed 3.21
1986 C10 under construction
https://www.facebook.com/groups/248658382003506/

Offline Dapumpkin

  • Newbie
  • Posts: 14
Re: 1982 stepside frame Interchangeable with?
« Reply #5 on: December 18, 2014, 12:43:15 pm »
just a question...Could i take a 4wd truck short bed same year and use it as 2wd for my truck?

Reason being, i have come across a short bed 4wd rolling chassis for sale.

my thinking was using the good frame from the 4wd and then put the 4wd components (axle, leaf springs etc..) on my tweaked 2wd frame for possible 4wd project in future.... just a thought

Offline Irish_Alley

  • Tim
  • Senior Member
  • ****
  • Posts: 13333
  • Family is not an important thing. It's everything.
Re: 1982 stepside frame Interchangeable with?
« Reply #6 on: December 18, 2014, 01:07:52 pm »
you could but most times people go from 4wd to 2wd so a write up prob will be hard to find.
If you can’t tell yourself the truth, who can you tell it to?~Irish_Alley

When you have eliminated the impossible, whatever remains, however improbable, must be the truth ~Sherlock Holmes

Offline Captkaos

  • OWNER and Administrator
  • Administrator
  • Senior Member
  • *****
  • Posts: 18461
    • http://www.73-87chevytrucks.com
Re: 1982 stepside frame Interchangeable with?
« Reply #7 on: December 18, 2014, 03:20:49 pm »
If you have a working 4x4 chassis of the same wheelbase it will be easier to swap bodies.  Changing parts over would be extra work.

Chris Lucas
73-87chevytrucks.com
squarebody.biz


Offline roundhouse

  • Senior Member
  • ****
  • Posts: 1474
  • Newbie
Re: 1982 stepside frame Interchangeable with?
« Reply #8 on: December 19, 2014, 10:24:53 pm »
How bad is the frame tweaked ?

Any good frame and alignment shop should be able to get it back to spec
If its not smashed

Lot easier than swapping frames


Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

Offline Dapumpkin

  • Newbie
  • Posts: 14
Re: 1982 stepside frame Interchangeable with?
« Reply #9 on: December 21, 2014, 07:34:35 am »
took it to frame shop and estimated 600 to fix. more and more he looked at it kept adding hours. frame isnt smashed. looks like someone before me got hit in drivers front. frame looked to be fixed before, but looks like it was fixed to "close enough" standard. i never noticed it while driving it back when i had it on road. might aswell round it up to 1000 and get a whole truck for parts and frame.

Offline roundhouse

  • Senior Member
  • ****
  • Posts: 1474
  • Newbie
Re: 1982 stepside frame Interchangeable with?
« Reply #10 on: December 21, 2014, 08:46:27 am »
Yeah.    We're looking for lift kit and 35" tires

Think it's gonna be cheaper to  buy a whole nother vehicle and grab the parts

Found a k-5 for sale with a new lift and new tires for -$2000

Which is what the lift and  tires will cost
So we will have a parts truck for free
Or throw the stock springs and tires back on the K-5 and sell it




Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

Offline Dapumpkin

  • Newbie
  • Posts: 14
Re: 1982 stepside frame Interchangeable with?
« Reply #11 on: December 22, 2014, 01:45:10 pm »
How much would a frame be worth? Is it a slap in the face to offer scrap price? 

Offline Irish_Alley

  • Tim
  • Senior Member
  • ****
  • Posts: 13333
  • Family is not an important thing. It's everything.
Re: 1982 stepside frame Interchangeable with?
« Reply #12 on: December 22, 2014, 06:33:05 pm »
it al depends on what frame and whats under it. a ½ton 4x2 i would think a 400 hundred, a 1 ton 4x4 would go for 1200 or so.
If you can’t tell yourself the truth, who can you tell it to?~Irish_Alley

When you have eliminated the impossible, whatever remains, however improbable, must be the truth ~Sherlock Holmes

Offline Dapumpkin

  • Newbie
  • Posts: 14
Re: 1982 stepside frame Interchangeable with?
« Reply #13 on: December 26, 2014, 07:20:44 am »
I found a Frame, ended up being exact match. Motor caught on fire and truck was considered totaled. Got it for $200!