Frame diagram??

[S10XtremeSR]

I have been searching all over the net. I need to find a diagram for the 73-87 chevy crew cab long wheel base frame. I need the dimensions to make a frame. Thanks in advance.

[Art Anderson]

I have been searching all over the net. I need to find a diagram for the 73-87 chevy crew cab long wheel base frame. I need the dimensions to make a frame. Thanks in advance.

I did this conversion in 1990. For dimensions, I used the wheelbase difference between the standard 2-dr cab and the Crew Cab, with the 8' pickup box. Nowadays of course that info is harder to come buy, as the ready source back then was the then current dealer literature (note that while GM Truck started producing the "New" C-1500-C-2500 pickups for 1988, the other models based on this pickup did not change over until 1992--the squarish crew cab and Suburban bodies were carried over from 1987-91).

Without the dealer info, it's still possible to determine the added length required. You can get it from a Suburban, in that the Subs of that era used the same rear doors as used on the Crew Cab. If you can get access to a 73-91 Suburban (Chevy or GMC, doesn't matter, they are exactly the same body), measure the length of rear (second) doors, that is the added length, the B-post being hidden inside the door line itself. The C-post, or back of cab structure is exactly the same unit as on a standard, 2-door pickup cab. For modeling purposes, you will need a second cab and interior tub of exactly the same manufacture as the base kit you start with--MPC, Revell, and Monogram each did Chevy/GMC pickups of that era, but EACH one is different in dimension and the particular company's interpretation of both proportions and contours, MPC's (Such as the FAll Guy Pickup) being far and away the most accurately done of the bunch, in order to get the extra, rear door area.

The frame is stretched by exactly this same amount, the added length being in the area underneath the cab, in front of such kickup as there is in the frame rails for rear axle and spring clearances, and this is the easiest place to do it in any event. If working with the MPC series of kits (1981-83 Chevy and GMC pickups which were all 4WD single cabs, the Fall Guy (or simply the AMT/Ertl 1982 Chevy pickup) being the only one having a Fleetside bed (all other MPC 4wd Chevy/GMC kits were stepsides only). Simply take the second frame, splice into the first one, making sure you allow for the extra length. MPC's kits were very true to 1/25 scale, so either use .040" to the inch, or 1mm to the scale inch, as you prefer, both are accurate for 1/25 scale purposes.

On the cab roof, don't forget the roof ribs. Those Crew Cabs had 5 raised ribs running front to back, they were about 2" wide, and approximately 1/2 inch tall, to reduce the tendency of the cab roof to "drum" with road vibrations and the wind.

And, that is pretty much it, in a nutshell, a very easily done conversion.

Art

[envious8420]

When i was working in the body shop, i could get frame diagrams for repairing heavy hits/frame damage.

If you have a body shop near by, go in and talk to the Owner/Mgr and perhaps they can get it for you. Might cost ya a couple bucks but for the price you cant beat it.

http://www.73-87.com/

Jim

Edited July 5, 2009 by envious8420

[ChrisPflug]

Wheelbase is 164.5 inches, or about 32 inches longer than a regular cab long bed

Should be easy to figure out where to add to the frame- it will all be in the same place