Relocating spring mounts?
 

Getting ready to tackle clipping my truck over the holidays, but I also need to shorten the wheel base down from a long bed.
Has anyone just relocated the spring mounts forward and cut the excess off the rear of the frame instead of cutting and re-welding the frame??
Its not a big deal to relocate a couple of cross members forward, and I am not concerned with the step up in the frame where the axle would have been as I will be notching to clear the axle anyway.
Thanks for any advice

Re: Relocating spring mounts?
 

I'm thinking that that frame tapers down top to bottom starting just behind the spring mount. That could be an issue especially if you are going to flip the axle on top of the springs to lower it.

Re: Relocating spring mounts?
 

You also have a curve in the frame above the axle. If you just move the axle forward the axle may hit on the frame.
Search the forum. There are many guys who have shortened frames. One that comes to mind is coach49 (?)

Re: Relocating spring mounts?
 

My two cents. I think for future resale you would want to have the axle kick up in the "correct" visual location. Otherwise it will look like a short cut job and make other work on the truck suspect. Like others said there are threads on the shortening, usually done just behind the rear cab mount location using off set notches and inside fish plates. Some also but weld the connection but offset with horizontal welds will resist bending better.

Re: Relocating spring mounts?
 

I cut my frame did it in a few hours complete.

Re: Relocating spring mounts?
 

Thanks for the advice guys.
Looks like I will just cut and shorten mine behind the cab. Just thought I would see if anyone tried this before I took the sawzall out.

Re: Relocating spring mounts?
 

Z cut the frame, not straight cut, this gives more weld length
add a filch plate inside the frame extending 2'' past the z cut and top and bottom flanges