[cmjm03]

Hey I have seen some post where some folks have swapped an 87 caprice frame in a 53 chevy truck. Have any of you done or know some one who has done this? If so any advice on the process? Pros and cons? Thanks, J

[speedydeedy]

It is a lot less work to leave the rear portion of your original frame and graft on a newer front clip such as a Nova ,Camaro or any other that has the same or near same tack width. This way you don't have to remake all the mounts for cab and bed. If you can fab new cab and bed mounts you should be able to graft front clip. We have done several this year or should I say last year. Look at NEW INTERIORS and peewee48 project journal and photo album. It works very well when done properly.

[cmjm03]

Speedydeedy, thanks for the reply. I can do the front clip swap and am probably going with that. I figured that the frame swap would be to much work. Thanks for the info, J

[joe_padavano]

Originally Posted by cmjm03

Hey I have seen some post where some folks have swapped an 87 caprice frame in a 53 chevy truck. Have any of you done or know some one who has done this? If so any advice on the process? Pros and cons? Thanks, J

I would think that the 77-90 B-body frame would be too wide. The S-10 frame seems to be the popular swap for the 47-54 Chevy AD trucks.

[Don Meyer]

The full size GM cars have too wide of a track for a AD trk. The AD truck hase a 58" track, thus a mid size GM frame woulsd be better suited, however thr frame rails have to be straightened.

If you must do a frame swap use the S-10.

Don Meyer

[71buickfreak]

Actually, the 91-96 caprice frames track width is 61", within the workable range for a truck swap. I am using one for a 65 F85 cutlass that has a track of 58, 1.5" wider front track will give it better handling stability, but still fit within the fender with the right wheels.

[Don Meyer]

The caprice frame sounds interesting.......what is the width of the frame under the door area?

Don Meyer

[71buickfreak]

I have not gotten that far yet, the car is still in a field and the body is still on it. I will get it measured soon.

[joe_padavano]

Originally Posted by 71buickfreak

...I am using one for a 65 F85 cutlass ...

You might want to rethink that. Restorers have driven the price of good 64-72 A-body frames to insane levels. You might be better off selling the A-body frame and pocketing the difference when you buy an S-10 frame.

[MAUSS]

I've got the FSM for my '94 Impala SS... I'll have to take a look at it tonight and see if there are dimensional drawings of the frame. If so, I'll scan it and post it here. If I were to use a B body frame, I'd get one from a SS or a 9C1 (police package)... they're thicker metal than civilian Caprices. The 9C1 and SS also have disc brake rear ends, civilian Caprices have drums.

[71buickfreak]

I already have the caprice, its a running driving car that tangled with a tree and lost (rear quarter, no frame damage). The F85 is a clean project, was going to restore the frame and ad some air-ride, but with a modern suspension and efi drivetrain that is ready to go and I will ABS and all the other extras, I don't think I can go wrong.

[MAUSS]

Here are the frame dimensions of a '91-'96 B Body... I'm pretty sure that the previous generation was the same.

[Don Meyer]

Thanks, That is good info for anyone planning a frame swap. Looks too wide for most cars early cars, but might be good for large rods.

Don Meyer

[71buickfreak]

the stock frame on a 65 F85 is 53", making the caprice frame just about right.

[philobeddo]

The 91-96 caprice frames are different than the 78-90 caprice frames.The wheel base is different also.The 78-90 caprice wheel base is spot on at 116''.The wheel track(front and rear) are not bad either.I found a guy guy that did it.The only prob is the frame is to wide under the cab.He didn't narrow his frame,he cut his rocker panels to fit the cab.Not good.I would narrow the frame.I'm looking for a donor caprice for my 51 3100 1/2 ton swb.You get the best of everything,motor /trans /suspension etc under the truck.I found that the 73-77 El camino would possibly be a good fit also,just hard to find.