shorten my frame
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Freshman User
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From: Southington Ct
shorten my frame
OK after exhausting my resources ( and my phone lol) I have no choice but to shorten my frame in order to convert my 79 F100 to the short bed sporty look I want. Any step by step instructions for cutting and welding are greatly appreciated. Pics of projects would be an added bonus 
Thanks !!
Thanks !!
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On Trucks, they did that to a c10. You make a Z joint between the front hanger and the cab, on the straightest section. Some people say to weld a plate over it as well, I'm not sure if it's necessary. I tried to find a swb, the ones I found were in terrible condition, and not for sale. I was going to do the cut, but I realized my grand dad has a swb '69 parts truck down on the farm. I'm just gonna put a '73 body on that '69 frame.
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From: Cental Fl
This link should help you out a little, it shows how to lengthen a frame but the principle is the same for shortening.
NORTH COUNTRY SPECIALTIES
NORTH COUNTRY SPECIALTIES
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This link should help you out a little, it shows how to lengthen a frame but the principle is the same for shortening.
NORTH COUNTRY SPECIALTIES
NORTH COUNTRY SPECIALTIES
Hmmm... I would "Z" the frame or diagonal cut the frame rather than introduce those 90 degree cuts into the mess.
As for double plating the frame, most guys re-attach the frame and then back the "inside" of the frame with plate. No need to back both sides of the frame rail, unless you really want to.
Josh
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You may want to search the Trucks web site. You may still find the shows online. I think they did that over a couple of shows and got into quite a bit of detail.
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The cut Ranger 429 is showing is the one I meant. I used the wrong term. I think that would be strongest. You want all the strength you can get on a frame. Barreling down the road at 75 mph and having the frame snap scares the hell out of me. You also have to think how much the frame flexes. My F100 frame seems to move more than the springs do.
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I'm not a welder, never claimed to be either but from looking at this picture he extended the frame what looks to 12" or so. A Z cut would require a section of frame to be spliced in the middle which I think would weaken the joint connection. From what I can see this is a much stronger joint connection than a Z cut would be. A Z cut would be the best choice for shortening a frame but I don't see how a Z cut would work with what he was doing with this frame.
A "Z" cut would be done to SHORTEN a frame. In the case of lengthening a frame it would have been better to diagonal cut the frame and splice in a new section, with overlapping steel plates on each side of the butt welds. Just about every Class 8 truck that has had it's frame extended is done that way.
A nice example of a "Z" cut...
A diagonal cut would not have the top of the frame rails notched like the Z cut.
Josh
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