what frame will work????

[td87]

Hellllo really need some help with determining what frame will work for my truck. Bent the frame bad on my truck so I gotta find a new one, the problem is that i am not sure which frame is the exact same.
The trucks a 87 custom deluxe v20 with a 350TBI. Ive done a lot of research but can't seem to get a good answer, I saw that 81-87 are the same and then I saw somewhere else that 81-86 are the same and 87 is all alone. If anyone has some info, please share it!! THANKS

 

[bucket]

'87 is the same they just changed the model designation at that point.

 

[RetroC10Sport]

Up to 8500 LB. GVW:

A ----------

CHEVROLET 10 PICKUP 81 4x4; 131.5" WB

CHEVROLET 10 PICKUP 87 4x4; 131.5" WB

CHEVROLET 20 PICKUP 81 4x4

CHEVROLET 20 PICKUP 82 4x4; 6-292 (4.8L)

CHEVROLET 20 PICKUP 82 4x4; 8-350 (5.7L), VIN (8th digit) "M"

CHEVROLET 20 PICKUP 82 4x4; 8-379 (6.2L, diesel), VIN (8th digit) "J"

CHEVROLET 20 PICKUP 83 4x4; w/HD suspension

CHEVROLET 20 PICKUP 84-86 4x4; 6-292 (4.8L)

CHEVROLET 20 PICKUP 84-86 4x4; 8-350 (5.7L), VIN (8th digit) "M"

CHEVROLET 20 PICKUP 84-86 4x4; 8-379 (6.2L, diesel), VIN (8th digit) "J"

CHEVROLET 20 PICKUP 87 4x4; up to 8500 lb GVW

GMC 1500 PICKUP 81 4x4; 131.5" WB

GMC 1500 PICKUP 87 4x4; 131.5" WB

GMC 2500 PICKUP 81 4x4

GMC 2500 PICKUP 82 4x4; 6-292 (4.8L)

GMC 2500 PICKUP 82 4x4; 8-350 (5.7L), VIN (8th digit) "M"

GMC 2500 PICKUP 82 4x4; 8-379 (6.2L, diesel), VIN (8th digit) "J"

GMC 2500 PICKUP 83 4x4; w/HD suspension

GMC 2500 PICKUP 84-86 4x4; 6-292 (4.8L)

GMC 2500 PICKUP 84-86 4x4; 8-350 (5.7L), VIN (8th digit) "M"

GMC 2500 PICKUP 84-86 4x4; 8-379 (6.2L, diesel), VIN (8th digit) "J"

GMC 2500 PICKUP 87 4x4; up to 8500 lb GVW




8501+ LB. GWV:

B ----------

CHEVROLET 20 PICKUP 87 4x4; over 8501 lb GVW

GMC 2500 PICKUP 87 4x4; over 8501 lb GVW

|B| fits |A|; difference is GVW.

 

[Swims350]

from what I've seen and read any 73-87 frame works as long as it matches, like long bed or short and then 2wd or 4x4. It's just you have to have the body mounts match the frame, then I have heard others say that you can't use the 73-8 frame on a 81-87 due to front core support mounts on the frame wrong or something or vice versa, so IMO.

find a 4x4 short or long bed(looks short bed in pics) from an 81-87.
3/4 ton or half or whatever I'd think would be the same not sure tho.

 

[bucket]

Really any 4x4 long bed frame could be used, but there are small differences that would need to be dealt with. It's best to find an '81-'87 4x4 1/2 or 3/4 ton frame.

 

[td87]

thanks for all of the input, Im gonna try to find a 3/4 ton 4x4 long bed frame within the 81-87 because I really dont feel like having to make many modifications. I just want everything to line up nice n easy but then again nothings easy.

 

[nvrenuf]

You might consider a 1 ton frame. There are lots of ex-military CUCV K30's (all were mid 80's) out there that have had the drivetrain stripped so a frame should be cheap and moderately easy to find.

 

[td87]

I actually would prefer a 1 ton frame but wouldn't there be many mods needed to make it work? Like do you know if the body mounts would line up? Also didn't a lot of those military trucks have the 6.2 diesels in them (not sure if they have diff mounts than a 350)?

 

[kleedus]

you would need to either move the spring pads on the axle or change your spring mounts on the frame if you use a 1 ton frame unless you get the 1 ton rear axle

i am in the middle of changing the spring mounts on my 1 ton crew cab from 1 ton to 1/2 3/4 ton mounts. its pretty easy two of the bolt holes line up then drill the rest.

the spring mounts on the rear should be the only thing to work out using a 1 ton frame but if you get a single wheel 1 ton rear then its not a problem.

i am going to post pictures and a short discription of my spring bracket swap in my build thread soon.
link at the bottom of my posts

 

[nvrenuf]

I'm 99% sure it's a direct swap. The only thing I'm not sure about it the frame motor mount bracket placement but you could always reuse those parts from your 3/4 ton frame.

You would also need the trans/t-case crossmember from the 1 ton frame.

Edit: I forgot about the rear spring width difference, thanks Kleedus.

 

[kleedus]

the military trucks used a 6.2 and the mounts are the same and even the exhaust pipes will bolt up to a small blocks manifolds.

i have swapped out a 6.2 for a small block then later a big block in the same truck
all using the 6.2 mounts

the 6.2 diesel small block and big blocks mount the same or at least interchange.

i have converted many 6.2 trucks to small blocks and have had no problems its pretty simple

 

[td87]

Ok thanks guys. This seems like its alot less complex than I had originally thought it'd be. I'll most likely switch out the 1 ton rear spring mounts for the 3/4 ton mounts because I wanna keep my 3/4 rear. I may have read right over this and I apologize if I did but does anyone know if the body mounts for my cab and bed would line right up with the 1 ton frame?

 

[kleedus]

as long as its a 81 to 87 the body mounts the same 1/2 ton threw 1 ton

73 to 80 could work but it involves some modifications not very hard but not a direct swap like the 81 to 87 would be

the tow truck in my avitar is a 77 with a 82 cab and 84 suburban front clip and doors

 

[td87]

Thanks for all the help and input. Looking forward to seeing your build thread pics. Even tho my truck probably won't be back on the road for a month or so, I'll be sure to get some pics up when it's complete

 

[bucket]

They will line up fine

I know stuff like this always happens, but...

In your search for a 1-ton frame, you "might as well" keep a lookout for a deal on one that still has the 1-ton axles under it