I would like to know if anyone has put a '72 4-door frame under a '71 el Camino? I know the wheel base for both is 116 inches and the elCo has a boxed frame whereas the 4 door does not. But will it really fit? All the body mounts in the right place? The interchange site says they are but I want to hear if there are any problems with this swap.
Thanks

Hmm dont rely on my response, but I was under the impression that it will not work.. I thought the station wagons and el camino shared the same frame..

BUT having the boxed frame on a hardtop chevelle would be pretty cool.

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Mike Reeh
Gold #34
San Diego, CA

The interchange site makes it sound like they are interchangable. Any know? http://www.angelfire.com/tx/lonestarclassics/chassis.html

Thanks

Even if the wheelbases are the same, camino frames are boxed along the side rails, passenger car frames are not. So I would look for a camino frame, or if you boxed sections arent rusted out cut the extra pieces off and weld them to the 4 door frame.


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70 chevelle ss396 conv
66 chevelle ss396 hdp/conv
55 chevy prostreet
69/71 camaros
TC member #493

Here is another link that you may want to read. It says it won't work. Above 4 door it says excluding Elky and wagon.Frame Interchange Supplement (http://www.angelfire.com/tx/lonestarclassics/frames.html)

A good friend of mine & also a Chevelle man says the El Camino & wagons share the same frame.

66elke had a 72 elke for sale jan 6, body and frame he is in VA
email; jpiell@erols.com

I know this is an old topic. I was browsing. 4 door frames are absolutely different from elky and for sure wagon and elky are different. the difference between wagon and elky is the the connecting frame rails are boxed just like the convertible frames are. even though you can physically put a coupe frame under a convertible and you can fit a wagon frame under an elky, you would be making a big mistake because the unboxed frames will not give the body proper support. as for the 4 door frame it also is not boxed and even thought the front wheel to rear wheel is the same as elky from the rear wheels back is shorter to fit a 4 door trunk not an elky bed or wagon back. this I am all sure about. I have all and have tried all.
Pete