I've got my truck stripped down to the frame and I'm just starting to reassemble. I've always wanted it to be a short flareside and I found a potential donor for the bed. Before I go any further I wanted to learn more about what's involved. I've found threads on other years but would like to hear more about doing it with a fridge.

This is my first frame-off and I'm an amateur welder with a couple years of experience.

My truck is a 1960 factory 4x4 with 292, t98, d24, 9" and I'm just about to start running new brake lines.

 

You have a few options.

1 Get a short box frame.
2 Cut 8" from behind your cab to move it forward then cut the excess off the back.
3 Move your axle forward to where it would sit to achieve the proper wheel base then cut the excess from the back.

They are all challenging in different ways. The last one saves you from cutting your frame and welding it but you have to deal with the location of the wheel hump in the frame by modifying you box floor. It can be done but it takes some work.

D

 

Thanks dman,

2 would be my preferred method. I take it the end of the frame can be hacked off without a splice? If the bed would line up without any hacking it might be worth it.

So there's no differences going from styleside to flareside that are worthy of mention?

 

2 would be best but you need to be comfortable welding it back together and weld some type of plate on the inside for support.

I chose number 3 on mine and am happy with it.

I can't answer the style side to flare side question but can't see it being much different mounting wise.

D