i am thinking of removing my 65 longbox styleside and putting on a shortbox styleside. my question is; where was the diffrence cut out. was it before the axle or after or a little of both. thanks everyone

 

Both. That is a job that is not for the faint of heart. You will have to make 4 cuts from sun rise to sun set and weld back two. Then you have the visial to deal with of the two welds.

If you can find good bed sides you might consider using them on another bed floor. I have a photo of a truck that I saved a few years back of 66 bed sides welded on a 80s bed. You can take a peek at it here. http://forum.ncfto.org/coppermine/di...up&cat=0&pos=3
Garbz remembers the truck but I have no idea to whom it belongs.

John

 

John he's asking about cutting the frame. Wants to know how much & where to make the cuts. . . .

1stTry
This isn't a kewl Idea. . . . I mean a SWB Styleside is great, but whacking up your frame to get one is not a great idea IMHO.

You'll be creating alignment issues, strength issues under loading, Cornering & Flexing situations, a lot of tedious grief & work for your self and all that. Work is one thing but splicing back a frame, so it works well after major surgery is not a task I cherish, in fact it's a task I avoid if I can.

I would ask you this question, why would you not just sit your '66 on to a frame that's already short because it was built short by a FoMoCo Factory?

Back in the day, when I 1st began tinkering with these great Slicks, I used to do all sort of strange stuff to them, like whacking frames, and changing to PDB's & Power Strg and all that. Then I discovered that F Series Ford Frames are virtually the same from 65 thru 79 wheelbase for wheelbase, & model for model. Yeah there are some slight differences, but all in all, 2 inches in length & +3" in rear width are negilgible, in fact it improves the species immensely, IMHO.

My 66, F-100, SWB Styleside, Custom Cab, sits on a 79, F-150, SWB Trailer Spcl. frame. I defy anybody to define or find the difference in appearance by just looking at it and not measuring or riding in it.

It's easier to swap a frame with all those late model upgrades & desired size all at the same time, than to cut & downsize an older frame with std steering suspension, brakes etc & then go upgrade it later. Just my opinion guy, but I've done both, but lately I haven't cut any frames to modify them. I don't need the hassles and grief associated with that shadetree operation, myself. But everybody has a right/ privilige to chose their own version of hell I guess.

So I wouldn't cut another frame and I will suggest against it, as I just did.

FBp

 

If you do it, it's 14 inches in front of the axle, and 6 inches behind. But like FBPete says, too many short frames to be had to go shortening one, unless you live somewhere that is lacking in Fords.