Frame swapping

[Evan]

Hello I have a 1986 Chevy k10 at the moment the frame is in ok shape it’s a short box but I’ve always had more of a desire towards a long box. I have found a 1977 gmc k10 frame close to me that’s been gone through just wondering if there’s any fittment issues I might need to know about or if there the same frames besides length thank you.

 

[bucket]

About the biggest difference is the front frame horns where the bumper mounts. But you can simply trim off the excess and drill holes to mount your '86 bumper brackets. The core support mounts are in a slightly different location, but you can either slot the mount holes or just change the brackets for your originals.

You also would need to use '77 cab mount rubbers, not the 86's.

 

[Evan]

What about the rear cross member for the cab mount mine has a crossmember all the way across and the 77 has 2 separate mounts

 

[Bextreme04]

Just throwing this out there, but the short beds are much rarer and more desirable. I'd hate to see you hack up a short bed just because you like the longbeds. You should be able to just sell your shortbed and buy a much nicer longbed for the same price, at least in my neck of the woods.

Also, DO NOT cut the front of the frame off to fit the 80's bumper to a 70's frame. You don't need to. All you need to do is cut part of the bumper mounting bracket off and slightly elongate the top hole on the frame horns.

 

[Evan]

I will not be cutting up the short bed or frame that will all stay in tact and will sell that to somone who can use it eventually

 

[Grit dog]

I will not be cutting up the short bed or frame that will all stay in tact and will sell that to somone who can use it eventually

What he's saying is the entire truck, as an original shortbed, is more valuable. I agree.
I also agree that apples to apples, you could get a better condition long bed for the same price. Not to mention the time and cost of a frame swap. And finding a clean long box.
Being in the rust belt, I'd sell your's for all it's worth and take a little trip to get a rust free long bed from somewhere less salty!
If there's sentimental attachment to the truck, is it really the same truck after you swap frames, beds and re-paint it?
Sorry this didn't answer your original question, but figured its worth saying.

 

[Bextreme04]

What he's saying is the entire truck, as an original shortbed, is more valuable. I agree.
I also agree that apples to apples, you could get a better condition long bed for the same price. Not to mention the time and cost of a frame swap. And finding a clean long box.
Being in the rust belt, I'd sell your's for all it's worth and take a little trip to get a rust free long bed from somewhere less salty!
If there's sentimental attachment to the truck, is it really the same truck after you swap frames, beds and re-paint it?
Sorry this didn't answer your original question, but figured its worth saying.

Yep, that's exactly what I meant!

 

[Raider L]

@Bextreme04,
What is it @Evan wants to do? He has a short bed 4x4 but wants a long bed 4x4? @Evan, what is it you want to do with it? Do you have a bunch of stuff you are hauling you can't haul with your short bed? I'd love to have a short bed. There is a ton more performance stuff for short beds that aren't available for long beds. Let alone all the off road stuff available for short beds. I mean, sure by all means get what you have wanted for a long time. I was just wondering. I like to try to understand people's intensions.