Shortening the Frame
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Senior User
Joined: Dec 2003
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From: Aiken SC
Shortening the Frame
I have a 79 4x4 longbed. I need a cab and a bed but the only replacments I can find are shortbeds. Is it possible to shorten the frame to fit or is this a bad idea altogether.
Post Fiend
Joined: Jul 2003
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From: Spokane, WA
So odd . . . ALL the trucks around here are longbeds. Seems I never see a shortbed at the bone yard.
What I have seen done before, and this may only work with a lift, is I've seen the back of the frame chopped off and the spring hangers moved forward to center themselves in the wheel wells of the short box. There's a slight "hump" to the frame over the wheel but if the truck is lifted a little that's not an issue really. It saves trying to cut and reweld the frame in the middle so you don't have to worry about it cracking on you. I'm not sure, however, if the crossrails under the bed will sit correctly or not. You'd have to take measurements and see . . . might need a body lift to clear the high spot in the frame.
What I have seen done before, and this may only work with a lift, is I've seen the back of the frame chopped off and the spring hangers moved forward to center themselves in the wheel wells of the short box. There's a slight "hump" to the frame over the wheel but if the truck is lifted a little that's not an issue really. It saves trying to cut and reweld the frame in the middle so you don't have to worry about it cracking on you. I'm not sure, however, if the crossrails under the bed will sit correctly or not. You'd have to take measurements and see . . . might need a body lift to clear the high spot in the frame.
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From: MN
My neighbor and I did this to his 78'. He had a longbox and wanted a shortbox. Luckily a relative gave him a 78' shorty that was in pretty sad shape. Had been on a plow its entire life and the frame was shot or we would have used it, but it made a excellent template. We measured, measured again. We made the cuts with a sawsall (in the middel of the frame) slid the 1/2s together and tacked them. We then made plates for the inside of the frame (1/2") that fit EXACTLY. Then we measured again and tacked them in then welded in a cetain spot on one side and then in that same spot on other side. After every weld we measured. Did I mention we measured alot?? We were probably more careful then we needed to be, but OH well.
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Post Fiend
Joined: Jul 2003
Posts: 11,945
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From: Spokane, WA
If you decide to cut the frame and weld it be sure to cut diagonal. This gives you much more area to weld making for a stronger joint. Cutting vertically straight through the frame is a bad idea and not a terribly strong setup when complete. The extra plates like Haten suggested are a good idea but use some sort of sealant all over the back before welding or bolting them in place. Otherwise water gets between there and the frame and starts rusting it away.
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Joined: Nov 2004
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See if you can locate a IHC scout, and have a look at the frame (mid 70's).They have a tube frame but the splice could be easily incorperated on a channel frame. International made their frames in sections for different wheel bases.
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Joined: Jul 2003
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From: okc
im not positive but i beleive the short bed supercab frame is the same as the singlecab longbed.....but i have this catalog that has every body part for the 73-79 ford trucks...in it you can buy the separate pieces for the bed i.e.side panels,bed floor, tailgate and hardware.....i might get yelled at for posting it (im not familiar with all the FTE rules...)but the name of the catalog is LMC trucks....they are free catalogs....i got mine at www.LMCtrucks.com they mail them at no charge....i was really impressed with the selection.....they cover these trucks bumper to bumper......sorry if i bent the rules....
ADMIN NOTE: Please spare us the coy comments... you've been here over a year, you purposely mask a web address and then say you're not familiar with the FTE rules? Link fixed.
SwOkcOffRoader
ADMIN NOTE: Please spare us the coy comments... you've been here over a year, you purposely mask a web address and then say you're not familiar with the FTE rules? Link fixed.
SwOkcOffRoader
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From: Aiken SC
Its not just the bed its the cab, the drivers side corner is rusted out a pretty big chunk. The cab roof looks like its been caved in and then filled with bondo. If it was recent I would pop it out and smooth it out but its been collecting water for years and it was up in Montana. In a local paper theres a supercab for sale and a shortbed for sale real cheap. I got to figureing if the supercab/shortbed combo would work that would be easier than cutting the frame. At least that way the frame wouldn't have been cut at all. It seems like the reg. cab longbed frame would fit.