Perhaps counter-intuitively, FRAM I destroyer were indeed the first, but also the best upgrade of the Gearing class destroyer. FRAM II was a later, “austere” conversion, so in principle no FRAM I was ever converted into a FRAM II. In short, ff the 44 original GEARING class not converted as DDE, DDK or DDR, 49 were scheduled for a FRAM I conversion from 1959 (inc. former DDE/DDR) and that grew to include 80 ships over 98 commissioned, but it was done to a steep $7,700,000. Only 18 left, saw 15 (16 in other sources) receiving the “austere” FRAM II modernization. These 18 ships retained their initial gear, radar or trainable Hedgehog, no ASROC, a costly system, but they kept all their artillery, and DASH was optional: The hangar was smaller, and the deck had no marking so many “had the capability” but never operated DASH. This was an issue later, as the small hangar was unable to fit the Kaman SH-2 Seasprite that replaced DASH in many FRAM I destroyers. So all in all, they did not lost much for a lower conversion cost, apart if the unused DASH system is considered. They proved quite useful in Vietnam for their intact artillery, used in shore bombardment missions.
A FRAM II conversion, USS Ernest G. Small.