Frame Swap with A-Frame: 1965 Chevrolet C20 Cab to 1977 Chevrolet K10 Frame

In this article, we go over our journey of using an A-Frame to remove the cab of a 1965 Chevrolet Truck from its frame and attach it to a 1977 Chevrolet K10 Squarebody Frame.

What you'll need:

• A lot of drill bits or a few nice ones

• Access to metal for spacers and custom mounts.

• Bolts/Nuts

• A-Frame or Forklift or maybe a bunch of friends

• Straps/Chains

• Many miscellaneous tools

Step 1: Remove the Cab

On the 1965 Chevrolet C20, there are 3 mounting points on each side. The rear ones are inside the cab, situated under/behind the seat. Then there are some in the floorboards on each side, and then some under the radiator.

This is how we lifted it with the A-Frame:

We ran straps through the cab and then tied one to the radiator support. This allowed us to tilt the cab to get it over humps in the frame. Although this damaged the radiator support.

Step 2: Prepare the frame

We recommend cutting off the middle frame mounts and creating new ones to match the new mounting hole location. We also recommend painting the frame, as now is the perfect time; even if it is a cheap paint job, it can go a long way in keeping the frame healthy.

Step 3: Set the cab

We set the cab on the '77 frame, and because the front mounts were so close, we decided to mount them right then. We used vice grips on the back of the cab to ensure it stayed straight and in place.

We pulled it into our shop for further construction.

Step 4: Mount The Cab

We brought it into our shop to mount it. There are three mounting points, and we'll go over each one and how we did it.

Step 4A: Front Mounts (Near the Radiator)

We used (ADD MEASUREMENT) spacers on top of the frame mounts. Due to the oversized hole, the bolt must be positioned against the inner edge (toward the cab) to achieve proper fitment, and a very, very large washer will be needed.

Step 4B: Middle Mounts (Under Floor Pan)

For this, you have two choices: if you leave the original mounts, you will need to drill a new hole in the cab and use the same spacer thing from the front mounts. We don't recommend this one. The other choice we made was to chop the original frame mounts off and weld/bolt our own custom mounts on that were right underneath the original frame mount holes for the cab.

Step 4C: Rear Mounts (Rear of Cab)

The rear mounts really didn't line up with anything, so we drilled through the cab into the frame and just used a 1/2 Grade 8 bolt and called it a day, on both sides of course.

And she's on there.

We want to warn you that, under any condition, this vehicle will not keep you safe in a car accident. As a 1965 Chevrolet C20 or a 1977 Chevrolet K10, it was not very safe, and this modification does not attempt to make it any safer.

Really badass though.