Does anyone have a '73-'79ish 1/2 Ton 2wd Chevy P-U...

[SamIyam]

That they can measure the frame on?

I need a measurement for the frame width directly under the cab where that straight section is.

If you do... I may also ask for a few other measurements.
But the straight part of the frame just under the cab is most important... I think I may be on to something. http://www.jalopyjournal.com/ubbthreads/images/graemlins/smile.gif

Sam.

p.s. the easiest way I found to measure it is to put the tape through a hole and drag it to the other side... that way you get a TOTAL overall width measurement.

Also, if you can measure the height of the frame rail too... that'd be GREAT!

Sam...again.

[slammed]

Yes, width just under 33 3/4" and frame is 6 1/4 " mine set's under 5' off the ground so it took awhile to get the #'s.

[SamIyam]

Thanks!!

That's PERFECT!

I am building a '65 Chevy pu for a customer... and just for shits and grins I measured the width of the frame of it and my mew '57 F-100.

The '65 frame was 34" wide and 6" tall just under the cab... and the '57 frame was the EXACT same measurement.

So it got me thinking... because I swapped the front suspension out of a '78 Chevy pu into the '65... maybe, just maybe the '78 frame was the same. And it looks as though it is pretty damn close!

The problem with the '65 frame is and antiquated A-arm bushings and the manual steering.

I will need to look at the rear of a '70's Chevy frame... and if it kicks up only about 2 1/2" I may be able to do a frame swap... a VERY easy one I might add!

If that doesn't pan out... I may end up just grafting on the front half of the frame... I don't really want to do that, but it's a pretty easy splice.

Things are looking up...

Sam.

[slammed]

Your welcome. The cross-member from the the later Chev ('70's) will bolt-in, with very little problem's. I (we) did several at Hot Rod's by Johnny Young in Okie-ville backin the late 80's. Sway bar's will too.

[uncleAud]

I spliced a 72 frame front onto my 59 Apachie...had to be one of the easiest front clips ever..the two frames slid togeather like they were made to..simply vise griped them in place and moved them around till everything fit...dropped the nose down for a good attitude look and drove like a dream....only problem i had was it is about an inch too wide and if i turn off sharp and hit a little bump it scrubs, but for 12 years now it has been a bullit proof swap.

[Tman]

Sam, most of the later Chevy stuff will bolt onto a 65 frame with minor tweaking.

[SamIyam]

[ QUOTE ]
Sam, most of the later Chevy stuff will bolt onto a 65 frame with minor tweaking.

[/ QUOTE ]

That's what I did to the '65 in my garage that I am building for a guy. I swapped in '78 Chevy front suspension so I ended up with pdb, ps and A-arm bushings that are rubber instead of the antiquated '65 units that use male and female threads as it cycles up and down.

I went around the block and measured a guy's '79... the frame kicks up too high under the cab and then again just before the rear axle to do a frame swap under my '57.

BUT! But the '65 frame is EXACTLY the same dimensions as the '57... soooooo, I will find a 60's front frame in a wrecking yard and a 70's front suspension.

I will first fit the front suspension, ps and sway bar to the '65 frame... and then weld the '65 frame to the '57 somewhere right under the cab where they are the same size.

Just by doing the swap and leaving the front springs and spindles stock, the truck will drop 5"... about right for what I want. http://www.jalopyjournal.com/ubbthreads/images/graemlins/smile.gif

Anyway, I got work to do to finish the '65... so once that is done, I'll jump on the '57 (The Bomb Factory Digger Hauler) and post pics as I go.

Stay tuned...
Sam.