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I have been in the middle of a frame off resto on my 76. The frame was completely rotted, it actually broke in half when the body was removed. In search for a replacement frame I purchased 74 or 75 frame of craigsilst. Its been a couple months and I can't remember the year. Now to the questions. How do I tell what year it is? And what will i have to midify to make my 76 body fit correctly?
there should be a VIN stamped on top of the rear kick up (I think driver's side?).......if you can read it, look up the sequence or post it here. There are publications that list VIN sequences each year.
I know that 75, 76 and 77 frames are basically interchangable though there are slight differences (for instance seatbelt mounting). I am not sure whether 74 is also interchangable.
since you have your body off your old rusted one and you have the new frame, put them side by side and eyeball them to see the difference, then you will know..
OK. So i went down to the shop today. I can't get either spot to read a number. All of the mounting spots were replaced which included grinding around prior, and now there is a thick layer of paint over the entire frame and i can't find the numbers anywhere. Is there any visible things that I could look for as far as design?
From: I may be getting old but I refuse to grow up
Look at the back of the frame, if the frame is open for a bumper shock to mount in then it's a '75 if it is closed and the side of the frame has a plate for the "one year only" 5 MPH bumper bracket it's a 74
This is the mounting for the 74 5 MPH bumper brackets
I'll get down there early this week and look. Looking at the frame in the pic mine looks nothing like that. At the rear of the frame there are 2 round cut outs that have four bolt holes around them. I believe this is where the bumper brackets mount, and what you are reffering to with the bumper shock mount, which i believe is the canister looking things that have square monting brackets on each end that i removed from the rear of my rotten frame. I appoligize for sounding so ignorant on the topic, and appreciate all the input. Again i will go look early in the week. Thanks.
You originally indicated that your frame was a 74 or 75, but couldn't remember. The description you gave of the rear bumper mounting is consistant with a 75. Your 76 body will install on a 75 frame without major modifications.
From: I may be getting old but I refuse to grow up
Originally Posted by BWH76
I'll get down there early this week and look. Looking at the frame in the pic mine looks nothing like that. At the rear of the frame there are 2 round cut outs that have four bolt holes around them. I believe this is where the bumper brackets mount, and what you are reffering to with the bumper shock mount, which i believe is the canister looking things that have square monting brackets on each end that i removed from the rear of my rotten frame. I appoligize for sounding so ignorant on the topic, and appreciate all the input. Again i will go look early in the week. Thanks.