73 body on a 74 frame
Thread Starter
Racer
Joined: Jun 2007
Posts: 274
Likes: 2
From: Finger TN
73 body on a 74 frame
Does anyone have experience putting a 73 body on a 74 frame. My frame is going to need repairs that are more expensive than alot of used frames i've seen. (collision damage on drivers side just aft of where frame tapers in to front end) I have seen on here that the 73 frame is supposed to be a one year only.? I have also seen a few 74 frames that are in my price range, but not knowing how to weld has me apprehensive about modifications. If anyone has done this please speak up, any pictures would be greatly appreciated.
Le Mans Master
Joined: Jan 2000
Posts: 8,918
Likes: 27
From: New Hill NC
Does anyone have experience putting a 73 body on a 74 frame. My frame is going to need repairs that are more expensive than alot of used frames i've seen. (collision damage on drivers side just aft of where frame tapers in to front end) I have seen on here that the 73 frame is supposed to be a one year only.? I have also seen a few 74 frames that are in my price range, but not knowing how to weld has me apprehensive about modifications. If anyone has done this please speak up, any pictures would be greatly appreciated.
Former Vendor
Joined: Oct 2007
Posts: 2,092
Likes: 2
From: walpole ma
Does anyone have experience putting a 73 body on a 74 frame. My frame is going to need repairs that are more expensive than alot of used frames i've seen. (collision damage on drivers side just aft of where frame tapers in to front end) I have seen on here that the 73 frame is supposed to be a one year only.? I have also seen a few 74 frames that are in my price range, but not knowing how to weld has me apprehensive about modifications. If anyone has done this please speak up, any pictures would be greatly appreciated.
Thread Starter
Racer
Joined: Jun 2007
Posts: 274
Likes: 2
From: Finger TN
What kind of mods, is it simply making mounting holes for the bumpers, or does the aft part of the 73 frame get grafted onto the 74? Holes I can handle, but havent found anyone I can trust to weld or paint here.
Melting Slicks
Joined: Oct 2002
Posts: 2,865
Likes: 1
From: I may be getting old but I refuse to grow up
I'm i the middle of doing this now and the only modification is to the last 12" of the frame rails. you have to remove the brackets for the impact bumper and drill the mounting holes for the chrome bumpers. I might have before and after pics.
Steve
Steve
Instructor
Joined: Jul 2002
Posts: 236
Likes: 0
From: Jacksonville FL
How did this work out? I'd love to see before and after pics if you have them!
Thanks!
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Melting Slicks
Joined: Oct 2002
Posts: 2,865
Likes: 1
From: I may be getting old but I refuse to grow up
Sorry for the delay had trouble finding the pics
Here is what I started with
And here it is all thats left is layout and drill the bumper mounting holes
Steve
Here is what I started with
And here it is all thats left is layout and drill the bumper mounting holes
Steve
Team Owner
Joined: Aug 2000
Posts: 21,460
Likes: 463
From: Massillon,Ohio USA
2020 C3 of the Year Finalist - Unmodified
Cruise-In VI Veteran
St. Jude Donor '08-'09-'10-'11-'12
...many others in this post are saying the same thing, yet I have BOTH a '74 and two '68s, and as far as the rear of the frame goes, BOTH of mine look IDENTICAL back there. I also have a '75 that does have those "hydraulic piston" type energy absorbers back there, one on each side. This was like this up to '82. Now, a 1974's rear impact system was a system of the bumper "sliding" on the outside of the frame rails, nothing like the '75 to '82 set up at all. The '74 has these energy absorbing "O-Mark Bolts" and large sliding pieces, one on each side. This system may consist of a few extra holes and an elongated slot or two on each side of the rear frame rail, but to me, it looks just like my two '68s do back there.
Instructor
Joined: Jul 2002
Posts: 236
Likes: 0
From: Jacksonville FL
Steve, thanks for the pics. I couldn't make much sense out of them until Paul explained how the 74 frame is different than the 75 and later frame. I have a 76, so I'll have to do something else - probably just graft the rear of the 73 frame... Thanks again.
Chris
Chris
