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Frame Swap Questions

handloader90

handloader90

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I have a '76 K10 SWB that spent it's whole life in Colorado and wasn't properly cared for. The frame is pretty rusty, it's pitted all over and flaking in some areas.

I want to buy a rolling chassis, blast it, spray it and take the body off of my truck and put it on there.

I don't want to do any modifications to mount the body onto the frame and I want everything to line up and sit how it is supposed to.

Can I use any K10 SWB frame from 1973-1987 or does the frame need to be year specific? In case I run into one, will a stepside frame be the same?

Will a K5 frame work?... I'm guessing not.

Also, what would be the best coating to put on the frame? I've heard terrible things abut POR-15, so I want to stay away from that.
 
any 73-87 K10 frame will work. IIRC the front bumper brackets are different and may need some mods if you go 80-87.

Keep in mind the body mounts will need to match the frame 73-80 or 81-87.

For paint you have lots of options, I personally don't worry about it much here in CA :D
 
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I've used POR-15 and never had any problems with it--the main thing with it is it is a rust converting paint,not just "paint"...if you sandblast or clean off all the rust,it wont adhere or work as well,it needs some surface rust to convert and make the chemical bond happen--some versions of it will fade or degrade under UV light exposure,but under a truck that isn't a problem..

I've tried a lot of different things on frames,they all fail and come off under salt exposure here sooner or later...I think oil or grease works better really,as long as its applied often and thick enough..I have tried Rustoleum Aluminum paint they sell for chain link fences and it held up a good 5 years,better than some R-M "chassis paint" with an asphalt base did..if money is no object you could have the frame sandblasted and painted with Dupont Imron,that stuff lasts practically forever..dump trucks and cement mixers here are painted with it and they still look new 20 years later..

A K5 frame is different,so is a Suburban,similar but no cigar--but a stepside is the same thing as a fleetside...a 3/4 ton might have thicker rails than a 1/2 ton too,in some years..
 
Thanks for the info. I'm glad I'm not limited to specific years.

I'm not too worried about the bumpers, I'm throwing a DIY4X A-Bomb on the front and who knows what on the rear.

With the body mounts being different between the frame years would that affect how my body mounts on the frame?
 
body mounts are 73-80 and 81-87 .

and only the design is different wont effect your body sitting on the frame .

also as said frame horns on front different also . but if different bumpers are used no big deal just get them for the style frame you get .
 
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