Has anyone put an extended cab on a short frame? I have a 133 inch wheel base frame and would like to put an extended cab on it. As I see it I have two options, install an extended cab and cut the bed down or extend the frame. I have read before the admonition about cutting and welding ford frames and I don't want to hinder towing capacity (it is a superduty frame) so I am a little hesitant to do that although I have the equipment to complete the task. If the extended cab will fit on that short frame, I would feel better with just shortening the bed. This would affect gooseneck towing some but I wouldn't compromise the frame. Any thoughts?

 

It has been done. A guy put an x-cab on a 133 frame and shortened the bed. Then put a 4 door cab on and shortened the bed even more.

EDIT: here is his build https://www.ford-trucks.com/forums/8...swap-pics.html

 

Thanks for your help. I think I'm going to try it. It will be an interesting project at least and better than cutting the frame. The frame I have is a 4wd superduty. The 4 door option sounds interesting. That would probably make the bed about 5 feet? Since I have a blank slate limited only by the NP435 Transmission and larger diameter tires, what year xt cab or 4 door cab would look best?

 

I have a friend that lives close to me who owns a fab shop and lenghtens and shortens frames all the time.if it's done corectly it will be stronger than factory.as soon as I find a flairside bed,he's going to shorten the frame on my 81 so I can change it to a flairside.he did this to his daughter's truck and did a great job.

 

I am confused. What year is your frame? 4wd superdutys did not come out till 99 and the NP435 was not an option

 

I have heard you have to block the cab up with different size blocks to clear the kick-up in the frame.

 

superduty is probably not right. It has leaf springs all around and eight bolt lug pattern. It was told it is either an 86 or 88. I don't know what it was called back then. I do know the transmission is an NP435.

 

I suspected I would have to make some change due to the kick up in the frame. Either by raising the cab or cutting the back of the cab to fit.

 

If it has a TTB front axle it is an F250

If it has a D60 front axle it is a F350
If the rear axle has a plug on it for a ABS sensor it is 87 or newer, if not then it is 86 and older

 

Thanks Diesel_Brad. I look forward to this project. I'm still not sure whether I will extend the frame or cut the bed. I think a 4 door cab with the bed cut down and low bed sides would look kind of cool. Maybe I'll put a sleeper on it instead.

 

Typo alert! I think you ment D60


Funny though, that would be true for F350's pre 1986. '86 and later (thru '97?) F350's 4x4's would have had the solid D60 axle up front.

 

Yup. typo. I fixed it. Yeah i said f350s had a D60 cuz he says its a 86 or 88

 

Ok, it is an 88 F250 (assuming the ABS plub is in the center top of the differential).