LB to SB
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From: Campton
LB to SB
hi guys,
Now before i get flamed for posting this you guys got to understand most shortbeds from 73-79 have a huge price tag so i was wondering have any of you had your frame shortened. i am thinking about paying a shop close to me to shorten the frame since i love shortbeds and they are gettin hard to find. if any of you guys have done this and if a PROFESSIONAL SHOP was to shorten my frame would it be as strong as the orginal.
Now before i get flamed for posting this you guys got to understand most shortbeds from 73-79 have a huge price tag so i was wondering have any of you had your frame shortened. i am thinking about paying a shop close to me to shorten the frame since i love shortbeds and they are gettin hard to find. if any of you guys have done this and if a PROFESSIONAL SHOP was to shorten my frame would it be as strong as the orginal.
Laughing Gas
Joined: Dec 2003
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I'm planning on doing the same thing to an old Chevy I have in the back yard. There was an episode on either Trucks or Gears where Stacey David converted a mid 60's chevy. I saw it on the internet some time ago as well, but could'nt find it the last time I looked Here'a a well written article on another forum How to shorten a LWB frame - The 1947 - Present Chevrolet & GMC Truck Message Board Network
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From: Campton
Like i said before if you buy a shortbed here you pay $2,000 more than its worth and at the end of the day there would still be more stuff needs to be done. i am kind of curious does anyone know how many short beds were produced from 73-79. it cant be that many because they are starting to really become hard to find in any condition.
Logistics Pro
Joined: May 2003
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From: Northern Illinois
I don't think anyone can tell you specific production #'s for long bed verses short bed. That is what I have found with my experience.
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From: Campton
I went to body shop that had a frame straightiner and i ask him about shortening the frame on my truck to were it would be a short bed. His response has left me with a bad taste in my mouth. He stated that its against the law to shortin the frame of any truck even if its a classic that i could be proscuted for doing it. Is this true is their a law that says i cant make my classic truck a short bed so that i will have my dream truck????? i am confused:
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From: Jersey Shore
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From: Campton
trucks TV also had to cut the frame down as well your talking about project daily driver C10. dont want to buy another truck cause i like this one and i dont even know where franklinville. but thats for the suggestions i really like the idea of doing this i know it can be done and its going to get done. also i am not going to convert to 4wheel drive any more i just want a sharp daily driver. Ill get a jeep or bronco later for my 4x4 fun
Senior User
Joined: Jan 2004
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From: Northern Indiana
I think the guy at your body shop did not know what he was talking about. I own a large body shop here in northern Indiana and have heard of no such law. Someday when you sell the truck, I would let the new owner know about the modification. We have shortened several trucks, make sure the tech doing the job is a good welder. We do also add 1/4'' plates to the inside of the frame rail just for good measure.
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Joined: May 2009
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as far as there being a law against shortening the frame.. i believe thats pretty much hog wash. the only rules i know of on frames(refers to 18 wheelers) and deals with the crossmembers and they cannot be repaired have to be replaced. but u might want to check with ur local authorities on this issue.
Post Fiend
Joined: Sep 2006
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From: Across from the neighbors
If you have it "z" cut like they did on trucks tv and then fish plate the inside everything will be ok. As far as against the law most states say a frame cannot have any "visably unstable" welds. Just make sure whoever does it knows what they are doing. If they have any doubt at all find another source.
More Turbo
Joined: Jun 2006
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I have shortened a couple of frames. I just straight cut the frame in 2 spots removing the desired section. I then butt weld the frame back together on the outside of the frame, and grind the welds smooth. I then take a 1/4" triangular plate, and weld it on the inside of the frame, stradling the butt weld, with the point of the triangle pointing up to the top of the frame and centered on the butt weld, and the wide end of the triangle, centered on the butt weld. The reason I used a triangular fish plate is because years ago, I watched a seasoned welder do the same. His explanation for the triangle was that it dispurses the weld, away from the seam, and makes much stonger that a rectangular plate(???). I don't know how true that is, but it's never failed when I've done it.