Long to short ... 4x4?

[CG]

I was talking to one of my buddies yesterday and he was talking about how much he loved my GMC, but he's more of a short box guy. He said people want stupid money for even a crappy original short box 4x4. I told him lots of people shorten the frame and boxes on 2wheel drive, I don't know why you cant do it on a 4x4.

Anyone done this here. Is it the same process?

[jocko]

I have not, and it is interesting that we don't see this more often considering what swb 4x4s are bringing these days. Guess it's the next big thing. Interested to see the responses, but I have to admit I do hope it doesn't spark a wave of lwb K frame hacking... That would make me cry

[CG]

Originally Posted by jocko

I have not, and it is interesting that we don't see this more often considering what swb 4x4s are bringing these days. Guess it's the next big thing. Interested to see the responses, but I have to admit I do hope it doesn't spark a wave of lwb K frame hacking... That would make me cry

I don't know enough about mounting points or frame shape to know if this can be a thing or not. I do know "There is no crying in truck building"

[57taskforce]

I’m with Jocko on this one. Lots of tears. I’ve thought about this a little before and the one thought I had as to why we don’t see it is maybe because there’s just so many fewer K trucks as opposed to C trucks. The K trucks aren’t a dime a dozen, this fewer opportunities to chop them down. Also The K trucks have I believe, a slightly different following while the real short 4x4s are bringing good money most 4x4 guys that I know are more interested in long beds or “real trucks”. the 4x4s have been and still get used as real trucks. I’m not exactly biased on it I have a short 57 4x4, an extended cab long bed 98 K2500, 72 K20, also I’m very close to a deal on a 72 Short wide K10. Just my warped twisted thoughts for the day!

[harpo231]

SWB not a real truck ? POPPYCOCK . The mule was pullin stumps before check cleared in 67 !

[tim71]

I like my "fake" truck. I'm getting pretty close to finishing my build, and I have to admit, I won't use it like a "real" truck. I agree with 57taskforce, the K's do have a different following. I like em all but have always been partial to 4wd (in any brand of truck). Personally, I don't like to see any truck have it's frame shortened and become something different than how it was originally made.

[OL SKOOL]

I hope my fake truck turns out half as good as that 4 eye! tim71 just bootifull!!!!!

[special-K]

It's the same process but the question's is it the same use. I personally wouldn't do it because I don't want to weaken the frame...or make it stronger in just one place. Wouldn't matter on a garage queen. But I think you don't see it because a longbed 4wd is a cool thing to have and even those who wish for a shortbed don't hate the longbed enough to hack it up. By sitting higher with taller tires a longbed 4wd looks shorter. And, believe it or not, a truck who's very nature is utility by default is actually still used for that by many

[CG]

Originally Posted by special-K

It's the same process but the question's is it the same use. I personally wouldn't do it because I don't want to weaken the frame...or make it stronger in just one place. Wouldn't matter on a garage queen. But I think you don't see it because a longbed 3wd is a cool thing to have and even those who with for a shortbed don't hate the longbed enough to hack it up. By sitting higher with taller tires a longbed 4wd looks shorter. And, believe it or not, a truck who's very nature is utility by default is actually still used for that by many

I prefer longbed 4 wheel drives all day long. But what someone wants to do to their truck, make it a 3wd etc, its not my truck.

Just looking to see if anyone has done this, not looking to ruffle anyones feathers or start a debate

[special-K]

Originally Posted by CG

I prefer longbed 4 wheel drives all day long. But what someone wants to do to their truck, make it a 3wd etc, its not my truck.

Just looking to see if anyone has done this, not looking to ruffle anyones feathers or start a debate

No debating here. I only said my last statement as one reason why you don't see them being shortened. Many still own a 4wd in particular for it's usefulness, while being cool as well, and don't want to tear it down to do all that for looks.

[57taskforce]

Originally Posted by special-K

No debating here. I only said my last statement as one reason why you don't see them being shortened. Many still own a 4wd in particular for it's usefulness, while being cool as well, and want to tear it down to do all that for looks.

Exactly what I was trying to say. thanks Tim.

[Boog]

Well, that's the long and short of it.

[special-K]

Originally Posted by 57taskforce

Exactly what I was trying to say. thanks Tim.

Not sure if we still agree. I had left "don't" out in an important place . But yeah, Jeff's Bowties has shortened a Longhorn frame to 115" WB on his shortbed K/30 project.

I'm sure the wave of shortening LWB factory 4wds is yet to come.

[CG]

So basically 200 views and a bunch of comments on why someone wouldn't do it. But no one has an answer on whether its been done before. Looks like Ill have to expand my searching lol.

[roboticjunky]

Originally Posted by CG

So basically 200 views and a bunch of comments on why someone wouldn't do it. But no one has an answer on whether its been done before. Looks like Ill have to expand my searching lol.

http://67-72chevytrucks.com/vboard/s...d.php?t=752203

[KQQL IT]

The process should be exactly the same.
Frame doesn't know if it's 2wd or 4wd.

[OARNGESI]

I believe the only real difference in frames is that the frame curves up in the front 1 in higher but they are the same on the rear where all the mods will be taking place. Personally I would rather have a modified truck that’s exactly how I want over a basically stock one that I’m going to lose interest in because it’s not really what I wanted

[raggedjim]

Don't the 2wd frames with trailing arms flare out at the rearend and the 4x4's are straight all the way back? Not that it matters if you are cutting a frame but I know the 4x4 blazer guys going 2wd have to deal with that.

Can't say I've ever seen a thread of anyone cutting down a lwd 4x4 but I'm sure it has been done (what hasn't???)

Good luck, Rg

[hotsam]

There will be a thread to use as reference very soon I hope , as my swb 4x4 is needing a rear frame section from forward spring hangers back and I'm positive a lwb 4x4 frame is all I'm gonna be able to find around here and cut down to marry to my original swb frame from 10" behind cab forward so stay tuned....

[B. W.]

Here you go: K20 long to short

I would hate to cut up a nice tuck but I had two trucks that were beat up, worn out farm trucks & both of them were made from multiple trucks. Took the best parts and made one the way I wanted it.

I worked for a company that shortened many frames, mainly on C50/60 trucks. Those trucks were worked/overworked & abused for years in citrus groves. I don't recall any failures where the frames were welded.

[OARNGESI]

You know after thinking about I think one of the reasons you don’t see it often is a lot of people used donor frames from square bodies with body lifts. I know many 73-91 k5s were used to make super short short beds

[nickp51chevy]

I'm fairly certain there is a somewhat local place that cuts down long beds in to short beds. As long as you compensate pinion angle on the differentials there shouldn't be any problems. But, if never done it. I'm just going from what I've read in my day.

[HARDCORECASH]

McIver Custom Fabrication in Idaho has done them. I have no experience with them I’ve just seen there ad on Craigslist and follow them on Instagram. They definitely look like they know what they are doing!

[randy500]

Most short bed K10’s nowadays are shortened long beds, virtually every one of them.
The best and easiest way to shorten a frame is under the cab since the frame is straight in that area and generally free of obstructions, the 4wd and 2wd frames are both straight under the cab.
The 2wd kick out over the rear end is just how to tell a 2Wd from a 4wd and doesn’t affect how or where to cut he frame,

[CG]

My buddy is a lurker here now and again. Ill send him a link to this thread