The Tonka Re-Build Thread
#1
The Tonka Re-Build Thread
Anyone here have any experience converting a long box to a short box? Most specifically shortening the frame. Im not going to mess around with actually shortening the box, I'd rather just find a short box than deal with the body work. Would it be best to cut say 2 ft from the rear of the frame and move axle forward, or remove section of straight frame that is in front of the rear axle? Also any links to build threads where this has been done would be helpful, i couldn't really find what i was looking for.
Oh and...
Oh and...
#2
a friend of mine did it on a 90's f150. he cut out frame between the cab and rear axle and grafted the frame back together. it's been that way for 3 years or better, and he drives it pretty hard offroad. he drives it on road too. he's a pretty careful person when it comes to fab work. i don't know if he has any online info on it but i could ask him how he did it for a better explaination if you want
#3
#4
remember the frame on your truck narrows down as it goes forward so it causes issues with your springs and the axle.
I did that when I built my ranger using a 77 F150 frame, i moved it forward 27" and the frame directly over the axle was several inches narrow as I recall. That didn't matter to me since I was doing a complete fabbed suspension switching to ladder bar coilover but it make a difference on what you want to do.
Basically go measure across the frame directly over your axle now and then measure it's width where you want to move ti too.
Another issue you may run into doing that is your rear spring hanger might end up in the middle of that arch affectively dropping your truck a couple inches AND messing up your pinion angle.
I did that when I built my ranger using a 77 F150 frame, i moved it forward 27" and the frame directly over the axle was several inches narrow as I recall. That didn't matter to me since I was doing a complete fabbed suspension switching to ladder bar coilover but it make a difference on what you want to do.
Basically go measure across the frame directly over your axle now and then measure it's width where you want to move ti too.
Another issue you may run into doing that is your rear spring hanger might end up in the middle of that arch affectively dropping your truck a couple inches AND messing up your pinion angle.
#7
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#8
Most times I have seen this it has been done in the center of the frame. Usaully two straight cuts with the center removed and welded back together. I have seen a few that didn't do the straight cuts also. They did a step down type cut. Down, over, down type kinda like half of the **** symbol. I'm not sure which is better but I'm leaning towards the step down type
#13