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From: Schweinfurt Germany
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So I was curious I have a 74 F250 highboy 4x4 long bed and I wanted to make it into a short bed. I was wonderin about how far forward am I going to have to move the rear axle set up forward to make a short bed fit right.
Cargo Master
Joined: Apr 2009
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From: South west Idaho
I am not familiar with the 4/4 but i have read others post to shorten a long box two wheel drive .You cut a section of the frame out in front of the axle and move it forward to get the short box wheel base, then you cut off enough of the frame behind the rear axle to make the box fit. I'm just guessing that was your question.
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^^^Why not, the front axle remains the constant, so the only thing changing in the equation is the location of the rear axle when calculating how much wheel base is removed. So you'd need to move the rear axle forward 16" (If my wb lengths are correct). Then there are a couple different ways to attack the frame...and then you'd have to figure up what dimensions to cut on the bed.
Now I'm just spit balling:
And seeing as there is an 18" difference in bed lengths, and there is still a 2" discrepancy...I'd would have to toy with the idea that 16" comes off in front of the wheel wells and 2" comes off behind the wheel wells.
Now I'm just spit balling:
And seeing as there is an 18" difference in bed lengths, and there is still a 2" discrepancy...I'd would have to toy with the idea that 16" comes off in front of the wheel wells and 2" comes off behind the wheel wells.
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From: Schweinfurt Germany
For the bed I haven't fully decided whether or not I want a style or a step side. So for now I am operating under the assumption that I have no bed.
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Cargo Master
Joined: Apr 2009
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From: South west Idaho
I would get the bed first , mount it temporaly the distant you want it from the cab . Then cut the frame section out to move the rear axle to center where i wanted it . Then cut off the extra frame sticking out from under the rear of the truck. Pretty simple as far as figuring how much to move it. Once you get the cut marks made,remove the box and set it aside. Just be sure you know or have some one that knows how, to help on cutting and welding the frame. 
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Posting Guru
Joined: Jul 2009
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From: Schweinfurt Germany
Cutting is easy the welding is the only hard part I am looking at my current welding rig isn't strong enough to get near enough penetration so I am lookin around at some of these MIGs on sale
Cargo Master
Joined: Apr 2009
Posts: 3,038
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From: South west Idaho
I can't help on any suggestions for welding or welding units. I have a frame i am going to cut next summer .I have a 220 arc welder and a wire feed for light work but i don't trust my welding there . If i can't talk one of my brothers in to helping me,L.O.L., i'm going to bolt the plates on , then haul it in to a shop and have it welded up.
it's a 
and i don't want them near my welder then.L.O.L. 
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Posting Guru
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From: Schweinfurt Germany
Thank you all so it looks like 16" it is when I get home that will be my project while I wait on parts for my engine build.
So how hard would it be to rebuild my transmission to convert to a manual transmission? As easy as cutting a hole or am I going to need to fab some things? Anyone got a build thread I could look at?
So how hard would it be to rebuild my transmission to convert to a manual transmission? As easy as cutting a hole or am I going to need to fab some things? Anyone got a build thread I could look at?