73 malibu body to 76 malibu frame
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fasrnur
Joe73
chevelleman
7 posters
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73 malibu body to 76 malibu frame
hey wondering if anyone ever swapped a 1973 Malibu body to a 76 Malibu frame?
bought a powdercoated all rebuilt, new parts,drilled slotted rotors frt oversized rear drums,stainless lines,posi 3.73 and would like to put it under my 1973. Besides rear bumper on 73 doesn't use impact shocks on rear bumper any other obvious differences?
bought a powdercoated all rebuilt, new parts,drilled slotted rotors frt oversized rear drums,stainless lines,posi 3.73 and would like to put it under my 1973. Besides rear bumper on 73 doesn't use impact shocks on rear bumper any other obvious differences?
chevelleman- G3GM Newbie
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Re: 73 malibu body to 76 malibu frame
I would just double check the rearmost body mounts. Since there are no rear shocks on the 73, the tail pan is also different as well as the trunk floor. But if you check those rear most mounts and they line up, you should be good to go to fabricate something for the bumper.
Joe73- Donating Member
- Street Cred : 83
Re: 73 malibu body to 76 malibu frame
Don't forget about the front shocks and frame rails being different. You could probably make some kind of mount for the bumper though.
fasrnur- G3GM Enthusiast
- Street Cred : 9
Re: 73 malibu body to 76 malibu frame
Every 1973 I have ever owned, both "A" and "B" bodies always had issues finding parts at the junk yard. A lot of items on these 1973 vehicles are 1973 only. I would not worry about shocks or suspension since that all mounts to the frame, not sure if the fuel tank will be an issue - I know from experience that on the "B" bodies the fuel tank in 1973 only.
Iggy- G3GM Member
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Re: 73 malibu body to 76 malibu frame
fasrnur wrote:Don't forget about the front shocks and frame rails being different. You could probably make some kind of mount for the bumper though.
I know the front bumper shocks are different for 73 only but what is different about the frame rails up front ?? Never ran into that. Definitely the rear rails are different as mentioned above. thanks
Joe73- Donating Member
- Street Cred : 83
Re: 73 malibu body to 76 malibu frame
Could you just weld the 1973 bumper mounts to the 76 Bumper shock area
Limey SE- Management
- Street Cred : 98
Re: 73 malibu body to 76 malibu frame
Joe I think, and I could be way wrong, but I think the front of the frame is different in where the bumper shocks mount to the frame? The rear of the frame on the 73 is WAY different for sure.
The fuel tank is a good thought as well. You'd have to use the 73 tank as the filler tube comes out at different angel than the 74-77s. The 73's filler is in the bumper, and the 74-77 is above the bumper.
The fuel tank is a good thought as well. You'd have to use the 73 tank as the filler tube comes out at different angel than the 74-77s. The 73's filler is in the bumper, and the 74-77 is above the bumper.
fasrnur- G3GM Enthusiast
- Street Cred : 9
Re: 73 malibu body to 76 malibu frame
I put a 74 bumper with shocks on my buddies 74 years ago when he wrecked his and couldn't find a 73 bumper. Fit right in no issues. Just had to mod the fillers.
Joe73- Donating Member
- Street Cred : 83
Re: 73 malibu body to 76 malibu frame
I did the front bumper swap in reply to your front shocks and frame rails being different. The rear is definitely a no go without a bunch of kids and welding.
Joe73- Donating Member
- Street Cred : 83
Re: 73 malibu body to 76 malibu frame
Yep that's what my 76 frame looks like . Think the best way is to use my 73 frame rails and transfer the new parts all over to 73 frame! thanks ps transmission crossmember the same between 73-76?
chevelleman- G3GM Newbie
- Street Cred : 0
Re: 73 malibu body to 76 malibu frame
Trans crossmember is the same for 73-77 years as follows.
2 door are the same
4 door, el camino and wagon all the same.
Obviously only the 73-74 have the double hump for dual exhaust. 75-77 had a catalytic convertor and only single exhausts.
2 door are the same
4 door, el camino and wagon all the same.
Obviously only the 73-74 have the double hump for dual exhaust. 75-77 had a catalytic convertor and only single exhausts.
Joe73- Donating Member
- Street Cred : 83
Re: 73 malibu body to 76 malibu frame
thanks Joe73
Looks like i'll have a 76 Malibu powercoated frame only for sale in minnesota
Looks like i'll have a 76 Malibu powercoated frame only for sale in minnesota
chevelleman- G3GM Newbie
- Street Cred : 0
Re: 73 malibu body to 76 malibu frame
Just a note on the crossmember fitment. 73 and 74 El Camino dual hump crossmembers will only fit 73-75 El Camino frames. These frames came boxed from the factory and require a narrower transmission crossmember. As I recall, station wagons, coupes and sedans all had open channel frames as did the 76 & 77 El Caminos and require the wider crossmember. Here's a pic for reference.
![73 malibu body to 76 malibu frame Photo010](https://i.servimg.com/u/f36/18/24/07/54/photo010.jpg)
![73 malibu body to 76 malibu frame Photo010](https://i.servimg.com/u/f36/18/24/07/54/photo010.jpg)
g3chevy / Mr Pontiac- Donating Member
- Street Cred : 35
dual exhaust
Joe73 wrote:Trans crossmember is the same for 73-77 years as follows.
2 door are the same
4 door, el camino and wagon all the same.
Obviously only the 73-74 have the double hump for dual exhaust. Â 75-77 had a catalytic convertor and only single exhausts.
my 75 station wagon had no catalytic and factory duals, it was sold new in Canada. its a 454
454 wagon- G3GM Member
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