frame stretch question
Thread Starter
|
Fleet Mechanic
Joined: Feb 2010
Posts: 1,742
Likes: 5
From: Near St. Joseph,MO
frame stretch question
Ok, I have a completely redone 4x4 Scab lb frame sitting in front of my garage. I am trying to get a 4x4 crew sb in the next few days.
Now, I want to make the crew a lb. How much difference is there between the Scab lb frame and the CC sb frame? I'm weighing my options of stretching the Scab frame since it's ready to build on or go ahead and stretch the CC frame and have it blasted/painted also. I just want to minimize down time if I can.
Any thoughts? I tried the CC thread but over 130 pages is too much for me to sift through tonight.
I'd imagine it would be easier to stretch the Scab frame and move the rear cab mounts since the lb mounts would all be correct. On the CC frame, wouldn't I have to lengthen the bed part of the frame to get the two front holes? The way the frame is shaped, that just seems like more work.
Now, I want to make the crew a lb. How much difference is there between the Scab lb frame and the CC sb frame? I'm weighing my options of stretching the Scab frame since it's ready to build on or go ahead and stretch the CC frame and have it blasted/painted also. I just want to minimize down time if I can.
Any thoughts? I tried the CC thread but over 130 pages is too much for me to sift through tonight.
I'd imagine it would be easier to stretch the Scab frame and move the rear cab mounts since the lb mounts would all be correct. On the CC frame, wouldn't I have to lengthen the bed part of the frame to get the two front holes? The way the frame is shaped, that just seems like more work.
Thread Starter
|
Fleet Mechanic
Joined: Feb 2010
Posts: 1,742
Likes: 5
From: Near St. Joseph,MO
ted, I know the Scab lb is longer than the cc sb, but I want to make the CC a lb, thus both would have to be stretched some. CC lb is 167" correct? meaning add 12" to the scab frame or 17" to the cc frame.
They are both 78's btw.
haster thanks, I'll see if I can get in contact with him.
They are both 78's btw.
haster thanks, I'll see if I can get in contact with him.
Post Fiend
Joined: Sep 2006
Posts: 5,181
Likes: 3
From: Across from the neighbors
Dont get your panties in a bunch. Im workin on it. Bsically the sclb wheelbase is 155" and the ccsb is 150". On my lst crew i used a 79 sclb 4wd chassis and left it at 155". I just cut 1 ft out of the front of the bed. The ford 6ft beds are actually 6.5'. I ended up with a 7 ft bed. Didnt look to bad but then again i didnt care about paint.
Im gonna look through my pics and see what i can find to show you what to do on the frame mods.
Im gonna look through my pics and see what i can find to show you what to do on the frame mods.
Trending Topics
Lead Driver
Joined: Mar 2010
Posts: 5,250
Likes: 11
From: West Virginia
FTE Stories
Ford Trucks for Ford Truck Enthusiasts
3 Best / 3 Worst Parts of Modern Ford Ownership
Brett Foote
10 Amazing Upgrades That Solve Common Ford Truck Owner Headaches
Pouria Savadkouei
Every 2026 Ford Engine Explained
Brett Foote
10 Ugly Ford Trucks That We Still Kinda Love
Joe Kucinski
10 Things Every Truck Owner NEEDS (2026 Edition)
Michael S. Palmer
Rezvani's Latest Post-Apocalyptic Monster Is a Ford F-150 Raptor Underneath
Verdad Gallardo
Top 10 Most Expensive Ford Trucks Ever Sold on Bring a Trailer
Joe Kucinski
2027 Ford Super Duty Buyer's Guide (Every Model, Engine, & Package)
Brett Foote
Top 10 Ford Truck Tragedies
Joe Kucinski
Post Fiend
Joined: Sep 2006
Posts: 5,181
Likes: 3
From: Across from the neighbors
Ok here was my frame at some point of the build. See the part where the yellow level is? I cant remember how long that section is but its perfectly flat and square.
Basically heres what i would do. Now before i explain all this you need to understand that this needs to be done by a professional welder. Not your buddy that walked past a welding shop one night whent he place was closed up so now he knows how to weld. The best way would be to find another frame. Cut the frame that youd be using at the front of the truck at the rear of that flat spot on a 45 degree angle. Then the frame youd use at the rear measure it from the back of the flat spot forward approx 10" and cut it at a 45 degree angle. grind both frames at a good bevel inside and out. Weld the outside first and then grind any weld that burns through on the inside back down to a bevel and weld the inside. This would give you a 100% weld. Grind both sides smooth. On the inside i would have someone bend up some 3/16" or 1/4" plate and sleeve it much like a dumptruck double frame. Also put in some 1/2" grade 8 bolts.
Basically heres what i would do. Now before i explain all this you need to understand that this needs to be done by a professional welder. Not your buddy that walked past a welding shop one night whent he place was closed up so now he knows how to weld. The best way would be to find another frame. Cut the frame that youd be using at the front of the truck at the rear of that flat spot on a 45 degree angle. Then the frame youd use at the rear measure it from the back of the flat spot forward approx 10" and cut it at a 45 degree angle. grind both frames at a good bevel inside and out. Weld the outside first and then grind any weld that burns through on the inside back down to a bevel and weld the inside. This would give you a 100% weld. Grind both sides smooth. On the inside i would have someone bend up some 3/16" or 1/4" plate and sleeve it much like a dumptruck double frame. Also put in some 1/2" grade 8 bolts.
Thread Starter
|
Fleet Mechanic
Joined: Feb 2010
Posts: 1,742
Likes: 5
From: Near St. Joseph,MO
my panties aren't bunched, I'm not wearing any... hehe
Thank for the help. I know if I get it I def want to make it the full long bed. If I use my scab frame, it's already bare and painted so it'll be cake.
Do you have any pix of moving the cab mounts?
Next question, which frame is worth more, the lb Scab frame or the sb CC frame? I hate to cut up a frame that is worth something just to make something I could have done with a frame that wasn't.
Thank for the help. I know if I get it I def want to make it the full long bed. If I use my scab frame, it's already bare and painted so it'll be cake.
Do you have any pix of moving the cab mounts?
Next question, which frame is worth more, the lb Scab frame or the sb CC frame? I hate to cut up a frame that is worth something just to make something I could have done with a frame that wasn't.
Post Fiend
Joined: Sep 2006
Posts: 5,181
Likes: 3
From: Across from the neighbors
This past saturday i picked up a cab and doors off a 78 crew. This saturday im getting another sclb frame but this time its 2wd. I havent decided yet what im doing but i know i dont want to cut down the bed i have. Im thinking of doing a stretch but in a less conventional manner. Id be cutting the frame in the middle of that flat spot. Ill make a inner piece thats 36" long. Leaving a 12" space between the frame halves. Ill be welding this inner piece solid inside and out. Then ill make a filler out of 3/16" plate and weld it on the outside of the new inner piece and grind it all smoth. Thats if i decide to go that route. Ill also be doing the work to convert to 4wd and putting a 12v cummins in it.
Post Fiend
Joined: Sep 2006
Posts: 5,181
Likes: 3
From: Across from the neighbors
I just built a crossmember that bolted to the inside of the frame and redrilled the floor to make the rear cab mounts the same spot as a regular cab. Both the frames you have are rare and i wouldnt cut them both up. Sell one or the other. If you were closer id buy either of them.
Lead Driver
Joined: Mar 2010
Posts: 5,250
Likes: 11
From: West Virginia
basically if you cut the sc frame its easiest to cut in the flat spot under the cab like dave is proposing. If you cut the CC cab you can extend it behind the cab where its all relatively flat.
Which is more valuable? the CC 4wd frame is probably the rarer one at this point. Especially if you have a short bed to go with it.
Which is more valuable? the CC 4wd frame is probably the rarer one at this point. Especially if you have a short bed to go with it.
Thread Starter
|
Fleet Mechanic
Joined: Feb 2010
Posts: 1,742
Likes: 5
From: Near St. Joseph,MO
yeah, that's my delima. It would be easiest to cut the CC frame off right at the bottom of the slant then the Scab frame 12" forward, but I hate the thought of that. Maybe I can find another lb reg cab frame cheap and cut the rear half of it off to put on the front half of the CC.
It just seems like it'd be a lot easier to get the two halves with all the mounting points in the right spots already and mate them. My dad is a body man and knows good welders, so that's not an issue. Even if not, there is a guy that welds for a living a couple miles from here that I can get. I can stick metal together, but not pretty, lol. I'll do the cutting/prep and let someone else do the easy part. :P
the CC has a flatbed on it, so no bed
It just seems like it'd be a lot easier to get the two halves with all the mounting points in the right spots already and mate them. My dad is a body man and knows good welders, so that's not an issue. Even if not, there is a guy that welds for a living a couple miles from here that I can get. I can stick metal together, but not pretty, lol. I'll do the cutting/prep and let someone else do the easy part. :P
the CC has a flatbed on it, so no bed