Hello all
I have recently purchased a refurbished frame for a 66 short box frame. The purchased frame assembly has been sand blasted and rebuilt with new front suspension components, tie rods, shocks, springs and front brakes. Also the rear axle has been rebuilt along with new brakes and shocks. This frame and all of the suspension assembly has been epoxy coated in a very nice gloss black finish. There are also new e-brake cables, fuel inline and a tail tight wiring hardness. It also included aluminum rims and goods tires. It was too good of a deal to pass up.
I have a long box on my current truck. The current frame, front suspension, front brakes, rear suspension, rear axle and rear brakes are all in need of repair. The current box on my truck in good shape and I would like to install this on the short bed frame
Have any of you lengthened a short box frame to a long box dimension? I have my current frame that I could cut out the required sections of frame that I will need to weld in on the short box frame. I am not sure if I need to just lengthen the section from the cab to the axles or if I need to lengthen from the cab to axel and axle to end of frame. I have not removed the box from my current truck to make measurement looking for some advice from someone who may have done this task in the past.
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Thanks
Steve

 

Steve, Have you ever heard "Everything that glitters is not gold"? I hate to say it but what you have is called fools gold in the south. The chassis was cheep because the prior couldn't get rid of it. Chassis just don't sell, or at least not very often.

If you need a new chassis find a 73-79 with the engine and tranny like you have or want to go to, and move your sheet metal over to it. You will have power steering and disc brakes included.

Sell it or find a short bed to put behind your cab. IMHO



John

 

john, have you ever heard that these are tough times, an people sell the projects very cheap because they just need to pay the mortgage that month or food for their families?

Now the statement that selling just a chassis does not occur often is a valid statement, but who knows. or maybe the rest of the truck was stolen and the prior owner just took money from insurance and then sold the chassis he was building.

smkf100 - my suggestion would be to look for a short bed box, the long bed does not look bad, but the short bed does look better in my opinion.

 

IMHO I agree with the suggestions here.

Unless you have a compelling reason to make a longbed then I would find a shortbed, and install it.

I have one but it needs a little work.

There are also beds on ebay all the time, and craigslist is a good source.

If you were lengthening a frame to make a Supercab or some other custom option I can see it, but not just to accomodate a box that can be replaced.

 

Maybe a bull frog wouldn't bump his *** as much if he had wings. Buying anything that you can't use without spending a lot effort is no good.

When you get a little older you might start seeing the wisdom here.

The man bought something that he can't use. OK????



John

 

I think that it would be easier (better?) to find a good short bed rather than lengthen and potentially weaken a perfectly sound frame. I've been wrong before, however...

 

John, I gotta disagree with you there, what fun would life be if everything fit?

 

Now that's a Southern expression I haven't heard Dan Rather use yet! LOL

 

What are you disagreeing with? Are you trying to tell us that long bed truck fits a short bed chassis???? I don't think so!

I don't think Dan has said much of anything lately.



John

 

john what I have seen myself and I'm sure many others have as well, is that you very rarely have anything positive to say and most of the time when you answer someone's question, you criticize them for it too. now I'm not saying that you do it on purpose, it's probably just who you are, but it's really harsh, and when someone, especially someone new, is looking for an answer and is basically just being called stupid, it can be very frustrating.

Am I young? Yes. Am I inexperienced with these trucks? Yes. Does that have to make me unwise? no, and even if I am unwise, at least I'm a nice guy most of the time.

 

ISO Grifo

Thanks for expressing the same feeling I have. I think John is some what harsh on new comers to restoring trucks. The reason I am at this web site is because I am looking for advise. I may not be the most knowledgeable about restoring Ford trucks but I dislike the comments that John has made about me.

Thanks
Steve

 

Steve you can do just about anything to a truck you want as long as your willing to put the time and money into it. Lengthing the frame can be done it would just take a lot of measureing and reinforceming. It would be similar to welding in a camaro subframe to an older cars frame for the better suspention.

If i this was mine i would try to find a short box. But when everyone else said replace my cab i went against all and fixed it but thats a differant story and i want to stay on topic.

If i were going to lengthen the frame i would first take the box off both frames. Take measurements cross ways in an x patern to be sure your square. Then measure a hole as close to the cab as you can back to the center of the axle. I am not sure the wheel base is the same on a short box vs the long box. I think it would be shorter but i am not sure. If i had to quess you would need to section the frame between the cab and the axle. I am not sure about behind the axle though.

Another option would be to section the long box frame to the short box frame just behind the cab. You would want to reinforce the frame maybe even box it for strength. You would probably what to put the frame on a frame rack so everything can be held down and to everything can be put back together straight and square.

I dont want to discurage you from doing what you want but this is not and easy thing to do for a person new to this. I have section a few frames on the newer model cars and trucks and even with the proper equipment it is still tricky. Then you have to remember the most important thing of all that is above cost, ease of the job and using what you have. Safty safty safty. Accidents do happen and you need to put the safty of you and your passengers first.
I wish you good luck in which ever way you choose.

 

I really like 66 Twin I's comments, and I agree. I have heard of some newcomers doing some pretty bold things, and they came out okay. I have also heard of others here inheriting something after someone bit off more than they could chew. I would not be bold enough to attempt what you posed as a question. I just know my work would not come out with a truck I would be proud of. That being said if you have good welding skills and a great shop, then you may be able to do it. If you are just looking for a good truck to run around in the easy way is to find a short bed and get your truck on the road much quicker.

Just my 2 cents.

 

FWIW- it wouldn't bother me one bit to make the frame longer. not to often you get one that is already rebuilt. blasted and painted. dont know if you've priced the chassis rebuild but i can tell you it isn't cheap. and in the end all you'll have to do is paint the section you add. may want to measure at the back and see if the frame needs to be lengthened back there to accommidate the box. good luck. Dutch

 

You will have to move your metal over eventually anyway. Just find a short box bed and be done. There worth more and look better in my opinion anyway. You can then sell your bed if its in good shape and probably be out very little money.