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C3 frame interchangability

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Old Jun 21, 2018 | 07:05 PM
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Default C3 frame interchangability

If I wanted to, say, put a 1971 C3 body on a later frame (like 1979 or so) - what issues would cause the most headaches? Who has done a job like this, and how did it go? Thanks.
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Old Jun 21, 2018 | 07:19 PM
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People do it while basically the same a lot of changes happened after 73 for the different bumpers and supports,

Here is a great basic run down,

c3 frames
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Old Jun 21, 2018 | 07:51 PM
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I just put my 69 coupe on a 78 frame , so far so good the 78 was the last year for the iron diff (I think?) so that's why I took this one , I tried for ages to get a 68-74 decent frame around here and I got tired of looking at crap when this one came along . Try and get an early one and save some hassle with the bumper supports as Bats said .

Anyway my body has the removable exhaust panel but the end outer tab on the 78 frame still caught on the glass as it comes down , not a big deal really but I cut the tab off anyway .Also recreated the side mounting holes for the rear bumper brackets before I dropped it on . I'm using new early body mount ali bushing kit and so far have 2 shims on each #2 and #3 mount and the steering column access hole lines up with the steering box well .

That's as far as I got with it , I still have to see if the tank fits back up in there , I'M SURE I will need to cut /fabricate on it to get things to fit , but I will deal with the challenges as they come .



Last edited by bazza77; Jun 21, 2018 at 07:54 PM.
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Old Jun 22, 2018 | 09:10 AM
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Thanks for all the responses & help so far. You folks are the best!
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Old Jun 22, 2018 | 10:19 AM
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Originally Posted by bazza77
I just put my 69 coupe on a 78 frame , so far so good the 78 was the last year for the iron diff (I think?) so that's why I took this one ,
Actually, 79 was the last year of the iron diff - 80-82 have the batwing.
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