Stretchin' your legs
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Laughing Gas
Joined: Jan 2004
Posts: 813
Likes: 5
From: Meade, KS
Stretchin' your legs
I'm in the initial planning phase for a massive re-do on the ol' 50 and I'm seriously contemplating stretching the cab. I know there's a couple different options...I'm thinking of a combo 4" stretch at the cowl for the legs, and a 2" stretch at the middle of the doors/cab. I don't want to shorten the bed, so I'm going to have to stretch the frame, driveshaft, etc.My question is, has anybody done this or something like it? I'd much rather have things seemingly well planned out before I dive in to massive changes.
Thanks in advance.
Posting Guru
Joined: Feb 2002
Posts: 1,392
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From: Michigan
haha, guess this is one that I need to chime in on, since I'm in the middle of doing a stretch myself. I am adding a total of 20 inches to the length of my 1952 F-3 cab as well as frame and building an extended cab. (see my FTE Gallery for pictures).
I'll be straight up honest, its a lot of work and will need a lot of metalworking skills (not saying you don't, but just giving the warning). I think it might be a of work for just a few inches, but it can certainly be done. If you have any specific questions, feel free to ask and also check out my gallery. Its nice to know I'm not the only insane one wanting to cut a truck in half.
I'll be straight up honest, its a lot of work and will need a lot of metalworking skills (not saying you don't, but just giving the warning). I think it might be a of work for just a few inches, but it can certainly be done. If you have any specific questions, feel free to ask and also check out my gallery. Its nice to know I'm not the only insane one wanting to cut a truck in half.
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Laughing Gas
Joined: Jan 2004
Posts: 813
Likes: 5
From: Meade, KS
I know it may sound insane to do this for a mere 6", but with a 36" leg I can't fold up into the old truck for too long...used too, when I got it back in highschool, but I've grown since then. Now it's just not as comfortable as it used to be. I don't want to change the look of the truck too drastically...I just want a little more leg room...and for that matter, I may decide I want to stretch it more once I have it in pieces, but 6" is the idea for now.
Thanks for the input
Thanks for the input
Posting Guru
Joined: Aug 2003
Posts: 1,243
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From: Michigan
Hi
Try to get the April 2004 issue of Classic Trucks. The last feature truck is a 48 that has been stretched 5 inches thru the doors, it looks great.
The way it is done you have to look at it for a while to tell that something has been done to the cab, well at least I had to. I know 53/56 F100's better then F1's.
Chuck
Try to get the April 2004 issue of Classic Trucks. The last feature truck is a 48 that has been stretched 5 inches thru the doors, it looks great.
The way it is done you have to look at it for a while to tell that something has been done to the cab, well at least I had to. I know 53/56 F100's better then F1's.
Chuck
Post Fiend
Joined: Feb 2001
Posts: 6,328
Likes: 124
From: Iowa
A cowl stretch is way out of my league. I feel for you on the leg room though. And I am under 6 feet tall. I would stretch behind the doors and move the seat back. There are several good stretch trucks featured in Classic Trucks and Custom Classic Trucks lately. I just saw one where they cut some out of a spare set of doors for the rear section, so the stretch area had some glass. Looked real classy.
Fleet Mechanic
Joined: Jun 2004
Posts: 1,776
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From: Minnesota
You could get a frame from one of the trucks with a longer 8 foot bed and not have to cut up the frame.
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Posting Guru
Joined: Feb 2002
Posts: 1,392
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From: Michigan
In all honesty, I think if you wanted a fairly simple stretch, I think it would be easiest to add the length behind the doors. This is the technique I used and I think you could add whatever stretch material you needed. In my case, I did as Fenders mentioned and used a couple sets of "donor" doors for the fill metal and to make window frames.
With my cab, I split it a 1/4 inch behind the door and across the middle of the roof at the highest point of the crown. I'm sure I could scrounge up a picture or 2 of when I made the initial cut.
As far as a stretch through the doors, the added complication would be the need for new custom made glass. Although it is flat glass, so I'm sure it wouldn't be too bad.
I'm sure a cowl stretch is possible, but that isn't something I have seen done before.
With my cab, I split it a 1/4 inch behind the door and across the middle of the roof at the highest point of the crown. I'm sure I could scrounge up a picture or 2 of when I made the initial cut.
As far as a stretch through the doors, the added complication would be the need for new custom made glass. Although it is flat glass, so I'm sure it wouldn't be too bad.
I'm sure a cowl stretch is possible, but that isn't something I have seen done before.
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Senior User
Joined: Jun 2004
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From: indiana
perhaps you should just remove the seat back and glue some foam on the cab wall hehe. you could look into raising the seat up a few inches that may help. remember: a squared + b squared = c squared!
Last edited by nixer; Aug 3, 2004 at 11:05 PM.
Thread Starter
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Laughing Gas
Joined: Jan 2004
Posts: 813
Likes: 5
From: Meade, KS
Thanks for the input fellas. I was talkin' to dear old dad the other day and his suggestion was to find a donor cab first. Then cut down the middle of the doors for the stretch and section the donor to fill in the open hole. The windows I have now are custom cut, flat glass, so getting new ones a few inches longer shouldn't be much of a difference price wise. His suggestion for the cowl is much the same with the use of sheet metal where donor material may not suffice. I'm worried about the curvature of the top of the cab matching up, as well as making the hood set propperly.
Any experience out there with those two things?
Thanks again for all the info.
Any experience out there with those two things?
Thanks again for all the info.
Senior User
Joined: Jan 2004
Posts: 354
Likes: 1
From: australia
why not try what 'A'model roadster owners do, use o thin seat rear section and fit the fuel tank under the running board, ive looked at a stock 52 pickup in the drive and figure u may get close to 6" without tin work.
cya..gary
cya..gary
