76 body on 69 frame
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2nd Gear
Joined: May 2019
Posts: 2
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76 body on 69 frame
Ok guys I'm not pleased with my 76 frame. I'm putting an ls6 in it and the welds are shitty. I picked up a 69 frame in great shape. And now I'm lost.I've seen every thing but this in the forums. I have also seen every spec sheet except 1976 frames.I have measured both frames and I cant find any different can some one please tell me what is different in these 2 years.
Melting Slicks
Joined: Jul 2010
Posts: 3,176
Likes: 633
From: perth western australia
Just the welds were .....poor on the 76 frame ? Nearly ALL the c3 frames had "poor" welding done , just enough to hold it together !
No reason to throw it away , most guys who do body off restore or modify add extra welds to tighten up those frames .
Unless of course it's been crashed or has excessive rust . That,s a different scenario.
Have a look at the bolt hole measurements where the front "frame horns" from the 69 attached and compare to the 76 , where the front vacuum tank "battering ram " heavy bracket bolted to the frame.
Height of body mounts 2 and3 from top of frame(s)
Rear of frame 76 has provision for hydraulic shock units to be installed in the frame , where 69 just had braces coming off frame to the chrome bumpers. IE, way different bolt holes to mount way different types of bumper bracketry.
Can the swap be done ? Yes , but a lot of fabrication for sure.
No reason to throw it away , most guys who do body off restore or modify add extra welds to tighten up those frames .
Unless of course it's been crashed or has excessive rust . That,s a different scenario.
Have a look at the bolt hole measurements where the front "frame horns" from the 69 attached and compare to the 76 , where the front vacuum tank "battering ram " heavy bracket bolted to the frame.
Height of body mounts 2 and3 from top of frame(s)
Rear of frame 76 has provision for hydraulic shock units to be installed in the frame , where 69 just had braces coming off frame to the chrome bumpers. IE, way different bolt holes to mount way different types of bumper bracketry.
Can the swap be done ? Yes , but a lot of fabrication for sure.
Melting Slicks
Joined: Jul 2010
Posts: 3,176
Likes: 633
From: perth western australia
Well probably the biggest one would be to cut the back end of 76 frame off and weld it to the back of his 69 frame. That would make it easier to put the 76 type bumper unit on as per normal. This is of course assuming the 76 back end is still good
Body mounts , well a newer body on an older frame would require just less shimming to make up the difference.Possibly custom rubber body mounts or just go with the early alloy pucks.
Front horn bolt holes and welded nuts , there is a different bolt pattern which would require possibly just enlargement of existing holes or making new ones so the 76 part would mate properly on the 69 frame. I know this is true with putting 69 parts (including body) on a 78 frame.
Welds ! Lots of welding to be done !
Have I actually done a 76 onto a 69 frame ? No ! But I am doing a 69 onto a 78 frame. The 69 body sits good on a 78 without swapping rear frame sections so I intend to mount similar (or original 69 ) bumper braces onto the 78 rear so I end up with factory compatible mounting ( kind of !! ) There's no way I can visualise to get those hydraulic shock mounts onto a 69 frame.
Body mounts , well a newer body on an older frame would require just less shimming to make up the difference.Possibly custom rubber body mounts or just go with the early alloy pucks.
Front horn bolt holes and welded nuts , there is a different bolt pattern which would require possibly just enlargement of existing holes or making new ones so the 76 part would mate properly on the 69 frame. I know this is true with putting 69 parts (including body) on a 78 frame.
Welds ! Lots of welding to be done !
Have I actually done a 76 onto a 69 frame ? No ! But I am doing a 69 onto a 78 frame. The 69 body sits good on a 78 without swapping rear frame sections so I intend to mount similar (or original 69 ) bumper braces onto the 78 rear so I end up with factory compatible mounting ( kind of !! ) There's no way I can visualise to get those hydraulic shock mounts onto a 69 frame.
