I have a 1990 F-350 and was wondering if anyone has ever shortened the wheelbase to a short bed size and replace the dually rear-end with single wheel rear end and replace bed to a short bed? I'll bet it would not be cost efective, but was wondering if anyone has done this and how hard it would be to do. The engine in the truck was replaced, it is a crew cab, but my wife doesn't like driving a dually long bed. Any advice???? Thanks and God Bless, John

 

It would be easier to buy a different truck. I've lengthed and shorted trucks before, and the process is essentially the same.

To shorten, you take the bed off and cut just behind the cab, and however far back you want to shorten the truck, and pull the back clip to the front clip, and weld along the outside of the frame rail tacking is fine).

Then you buy 1/4" wall c-channel that's slightly smaller than the frame rail's ID, or slightly larger than the frame rails OD, hammer it over, and weld all around the perimeter with something that can do that thick of material. Arc, 220V MIG, etc.

What I've done in the past is tack one side, then weld up the channel to completion on that side only, then carefully measure the wheelbase on both sides, adjusting the not welded side accordingly. Once it's dead on, then hammer on the c-channel and weld it. Then align, shorten the driveshaft, install the brake lines, fuel lines, etc that all need to change because the length of the truck is different.

Extending works the same way - you cut, pull the back away from the front, but instead of one piece of c-channel you install two - one the same side as the frame rail, one slightly smaller to fit inside. I extended my 81 crewcab 24" that way, to make room for an on-frame generator and toolbox that fit between the cab and the bed. It didn't look ridiculous extending that truck because the truck sat on 48" tires and was "seriously lifted" to clear them with full suspension travel.

I've helped friends shorten van's, lengthen broncos, etc. The body work is a real pain in the butt, making and lining up body panels (not my expertise) but pickups are easier because you're not cutting into the body - just changing the frame length and swapping beds.

Though, for about a decade, I've been contemplating "someday" turning my crewcab into an extended, crewcab, using the back area of an extended cab to lengthen the cab just a little bit. Crewcabs as you know, don't have a ton of storage space much like regular cabs, because there's a rear seat in the way. The small area behind the driver/passenger in an extended cab is a nice place for stuff you don't want to leave in the bed. Camera bags, comforters, baby crap, etc.