making a short bed crew cab - The 1947 - Present Chevrolet & GMC Truck Message Board Network

bigblock79 · 11-15-2009, 07:59 PM

ok guys. i have seen it done a few ways. i got a 4x4 1 ton dually crew cab. my goal is to have a short bed crew cab 4x4 whice is the best way to go. cut the frame i got or put a surban and pick up frame together and put it under it. would like for ya to tell me ya input

sailed2japan · 11-15-2009, 08:06 PM

Personally I would, and hopefully some day will, use the shortening your current frame method. This way you will have the thicker, stronger frame. In doing so I suggest using the "tab and slot method rather than any other. To me it makes sense that this will be the strongest, but I have yet to see anyone's frame break.

bigblock79 · 11-15-2009, 08:12 PM

tab and slot ?

b454rat · 11-15-2009, 08:38 PM

Mine is done, will get some pics tomorrow!!!!!

joe231 · 11-15-2009, 09:58 PM

I'm planning on shortening my one ton frame.....like sailed stated, it is a much stronger frame than the 1/2 ton frames.

dooce · 11-16-2009, 07:15 AM

here is an attachment to show what I think he was referring to. The dotted line is the cut/weld joint. The idea is the more weld you can put down on the cut when you weld it back together, the stronger the joint will be. First is just a straight vertical cut. Then you have a tongue and groove method, and last the diagonal. The vertical cut is not recommended, but many people have done it without problems. It is also recommeded to box the framerail or use a fishplate on the inside of the framerail along the joint.

Sorry for the small pics a huge white area, it was quick and done with paint

joe231 · 11-16-2009, 09:27 AM

here is how I have seen it done, and the way I am planning to do it....

Name: frame splice.JPG
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**N2TRUX** · 11-16-2009, 11:40 AM

There is a great article in the FAQ about this. Not a 1 ton frame but the theory still applies- LINK

b454rat · 11-16-2009, 05:14 PM

Got mine back today, best I could get with a cell phone...

b454rat · 11-16-2009, 05:18 PM

Can't really tell in the crappy pics, but the frame was notched then welded back together. Kinda wish he put the plate on the inside, but once it gets ground down and a coat of paint, won't look to bad hopefully. If it does then I'll change it.

1lowdiesel · 11-16-2009, 05:37 PM

looks isn't really what you should be going for when doing this. you want it to be structural. THAT is not. that will tear over time. even with it fish plated on the outside you don't have enough of the support spaced out. you will need to plate the inside and box the inside to make it as strong as possible.

i'm not saying cut it off and redo it just please plate the inside and box the frame.

i would suggest the tab and slot method.

b454rat · 11-16-2009, 06:01 PM

It is notched, like the 3rd one joe231 had in his pic. I'm gonna make another plate to go on the inside of the frame....

toomanytoyz · 11-16-2009, 11:01 PM

I used the ojoe method & am quite pleased with the results..........

Here is a link to ojoe's Method..............
(http://67-72chevytrucks.com/vboard/s...d.php?t=218953

Couple Pics of Mine..............

Rick

bigblock79 · 11-16-2009, 11:46 PM

thanks to all of ya

Mr Pops · 12-07-2009, 05:14 AM

would it be easier to just lop off extra frame length off the rear of the chassis, and then fab the spring hanger and box mounts? Or does the curve in the frame screw that up??

b454rat · 12-07-2009, 09:35 AM

That is another way of doing it. The box sits on that high hump, but would still work, just be further ahead. The rear spring hanger might have to moved down, I'd think where they would need to be would be right in the hump in the frame.

68 TT · 12-07-2009, 09:43 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Mr Pops

would it be easier to just lop off extra frame length off the rear of the chassis, and then fab the spring hanger and box mounts? Or does the curve in the frame screw that up??

Doing it this way you can shorten the wheel base and use a standard short bed box when you are done. What you propose would require cutting & shortening a bed to fit. It can be done either way but using a stock bed is the easiest.

Mr Pops · 12-07-2009, 04:52 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by 68 TT

Doing it this way you can shorten the wheel base and use a standard short bed box when you are done. What you propose would require cutting & shortening a bed to fit. It can be done either way but using a stock bed is the easiest.

Why couldn't you use a stock short bed after chopping off the back of the frame? I wasn't really thinking about bodywork, but assuming that one would use a stock short bed. I was just wondering why guys shorten the frame instead of just buying a shorter box and moving the suspension forward on the frame and just cutting off any excess frame hanging off the back. thus keeping the integrity of the frame with no structural welding required.

68 TT · 12-07-2009, 05:16 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Mr Pops

Why couldn't you use a stock short bed after chopping off the back of the frame? I wasn't really thinking about bodywork, but assuming that one would use a stock short bed. I was just wondering why guys shorten the frame instead of just buying a shorter box and moving the suspension forward on the frame and just cutting off any excess frame hanging off the back. thus keeping the integrity of the frame with no structural welding required.

Sorry, I thought you were just talking about chopping off the excess from the back but not relocating the axle.

I guess a C-notch could take the place of the slight hump the stock frame has over the rear axle.

You would probably have to reinforce the rear spring hangers so they could be mounted at the right elevation to maintain pinion angle since they would now be 14" into the axle clearance hump.

I think for the work involved it is easier to Z-notch the frame and leave the rear suspension alone.

Mr Pops · 12-08-2009, 06:51 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by 68 TT

Sorry, I thought you were just talking about chopping off the excess from the back but not relocating the axle.

I guess a C-notch could take the place of the slight hump the stock frame has over the rear axle.

You would probably have to reinforce the rear spring hangers so they could be mounted at the right elevation to maintain pinion angle since they would now be 14" into the axle clearance hump.

I think for the work involved it is easier to Z-notch the frame and leave the rear suspension alone.

Cool, thanks. Thats what I wanted to know. Sounds like the way to go, unless its a lifted 4wd application, or slammed with a 4 link etc.

63chevyll · 12-21-2009, 10:50 PM

B454rat, thats scarry,

That will BREAK

b454rat · 12-21-2009, 11:03 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by 63chevyll

B454rat, thats scarry,

That will BREAK

How is it gonna break?? It's cut and welded like the one that was in the above post.

b454rat · 12-21-2009, 11:08 PM

Nother shot.

joe231 · 12-22-2009, 12:49 AM

do you have any better shots? that pic is small
kinda looks like the reinforcement piece on the outside of the frame isn't over the weld, hard to tell in the pics.

EDIT: never-mind...I see now.
as long as the welds got good penetration, I don't think it will be a problem. I would probably plate the inside, But i have a tendency to go overboard

munger · 12-22-2009, 03:01 AM

so b454rat that pickup has a nv4500 in it? and what does 427td mean

11-15-2009, 07:59 PM	#1
bigblock79 67 Chevy Stepside Join Date: Mar 2007 Location: Jonesville NC Posts: 836	making a short bed crew cab ok guys. i have seen it done a few ways. i got a 4x4 1 ton dually crew cab. my goal is to have a short bed crew cab 4x4 whice is the best way to go. cut the frame i got or put a surban and pick up frame together and put it under it. would like for ya to tell me ya input __________________ 1967 Chevy stepside 1976 BIG DOOLEY 454 turbo 400 4:11

11-15-2009, 08:06 PM	#2
sailed2japan Jonny Join Date: Apr 2008 Location: Outside the Box, Austin,TX Posts: 741	Re: makeing a short bed crew cab Personally I would, and hopefully some day will, use the shortening your current frame method. This way you will have the thicker, stronger frame. In doing so I suggest using the "tab and slot method rather than any other. To me it makes sense that this will be the strongest, but I have yet to see anyone's frame break. __________________ 1966 C30, Cummins, stacks, and a flat bed in progress... "Honor.....simply put, A veteran - whether active duty, retired, national guard or reserve is someone who, at one time in his life, wrote a blank check made payable to 'The United States of America', for an amount of 'up to and including his life.' That is Honor, and there are way too many people in this country who no longer understand it." -AEC Hundley USNR

11-15-2009, 08:12 PM	#3
bigblock79 67 Chevy Stepside Join Date: Mar 2007 Location: Jonesville NC Posts: 836	Re: makeing a short bed crew cab tab and slot ? __________________ 1967 Chevy stepside 1976 BIG DOOLEY 454 turbo 400 4:11

11-15-2009, 08:38 PM	#4
b454rat Senior Member Join Date: May 2004 Location: Binghamton, NY Posts: 3,469	Re: makeing a short bed crew cab Mine is done, will get some pics tomorrow!!!!! __________________ 2000 GMC CCSB 454/4L80 6” lift SAS 1999 Chevy CCSB 454/NV4500 4” SAS 1999 GMC Yukon 350/4L60 6" SAS

11-15-2009, 09:58 PM	#5
joe231 Registered User Join Date: Dec 2007 Location: Palmer, Alaska Posts: 13,821	Re: makeing a short bed crew cab I'm planning on shortening my one ton frame.....like sailed stated, it is a much stronger frame than the 1/2 ton frames. __________________ *CHEVY ONLY*

11-16-2009, 07:15 AM	#6
dooce Registered User Join Date: Aug 2007 Location: Tinker, OK Posts: 369	Re: makeing a short bed crew cab here is an attachment to show what I think he was referring to. The dotted line is the cut/weld joint. The idea is the more weld you can put down on the cut when you weld it back together, the stronger the joint will be. First is just a straight vertical cut. Then you have a tongue and groove method, and last the diagonal. The vertical cut is not recommended, but many people have done it without problems. It is also recommeded to box the framerail or use a fishplate on the inside of the framerail along the joint. Sorry for the small pics a huge white area, it was quick and done with paint Attached Images __________________ 1976 Chevy 1/2T 2wd SWB 327/Saginaw 4spd 3.73:1 LQ4 6.0/T56 Build thread http://67-72chevytrucks.com/vboard/s...d.php?t=772071 LFSalleeII@gmail.com Last edited by dooce; 11-16-2009 at 07:17 AM.

11-16-2009, 09:27 AM	#7
joe231 Registered User Join Date: Dec 2007 Location: Palmer, Alaska Posts: 13,821	Re: makeing a short bed crew cab here is how I have seen it done, and the way I am planning to do it.... __________________ *CHEVY ONLY* Last edited by joe231; 11-16-2009 at 09:30 AM.

11-16-2009, 11:40 AM	#8
N2TRUX Happy to be here Join Date: Mar 2000 Location: Cypress, TX Posts: 39,021	Re: makeing a short bed crew cab There is a great article in the FAQ about this. Not a 1 ton frame but the theory still applies- LINK __________________ Follow me on Facebook and Instagram @N2trux.com Articles- "Jake" the 84 to 74 crewcab "Elwood" the77_Remix 85 GMC Sierra "Scarlett" "Refining Sierra"

11-16-2009, 05:14 PM	#9
b454rat Senior Member Join Date: May 2004 Location: Binghamton, NY Posts: 3,469	Re: makeing a short bed crew cab Got mine back today, best I could get with a cell phone... Attached Images __________________ 2000 GMC CCSB 454/4L80 6” lift SAS 1999 Chevy CCSB 454/NV4500 4” SAS 1999 GMC Yukon 350/4L60 6" SAS

11-16-2009, 05:18 PM	#10
b454rat Senior Member Join Date: May 2004 Location: Binghamton, NY Posts: 3,469	Re: makeing a short bed crew cab Can't really tell in the crappy pics, but the frame was notched then welded back together. Kinda wish he put the plate on the inside, but once it gets ground down and a coat of paint, won't look to bad hopefully. If it does then I'll change it. __________________ 2000 GMC CCSB 454/4L80 6” lift SAS 1999 Chevy CCSB 454/NV4500 4” SAS 1999 GMC Yukon 350/4L60 6" SAS

11-16-2009, 05:37 PM	#11
1lowdiesel Senior Member Join Date: Oct 2006 Location: central jersey Posts: 763	Re: makeing a short bed crew cab looks isn't really what you should be going for when doing this. you want it to be structural. THAT is not. that will tear over time. even with it fish plated on the outside you don't have enough of the support spaced out. you will need to plate the inside and box the inside to make it as strong as possible. i'm not saying cut it off and redo it just please plate the inside and box the frame. i would suggest the tab and slot method. __________________ 69 4wd V6 20k orig miles!! 05 ccsb 2wd Diesel 500hp bagged and soon to be stock floored. 01 rcsb chevy 2wd 6bt cummins :devil:> build xtremediesel.com

11-16-2009, 06:01 PM	#12
b454rat Senior Member Join Date: May 2004 Location: Binghamton, NY Posts: 3,469	Re: makeing a short bed crew cab It is notched, like the 3rd one joe231 had in his pic. I'm gonna make another plate to go on the inside of the frame.... __________________ 2000 GMC CCSB 454/4L80 6” lift SAS 1999 Chevy CCSB 454/NV4500 4” SAS 1999 GMC Yukon 350/4L60 6" SAS Last edited by b454rat; 11-16-2009 at 06:03 PM.

11-16-2009, 11:01 PM	#13
toomanytoyz Luv the Crewcabs Join Date: Aug 2006 Location: Andrews, In. 46702 Posts: 4,097	Re: makeing a short bed crew cab I used the ojoe method & am quite pleased with the results.......... Here is a link to ojoe's Method.............. (http://67-72chevytrucks.com/vboard/s...d.php?t=218953 Couple Pics of Mine.............. Rick __________________ 55 Nomad 52 Willys Truck 67 Stepper 67 Fleet 68 Wrecker 68 Suburban 76 Crewcab 79 Gmc Dumptruck 84 Blazer 86 Crewcab Stepside 87 Iroc 89 GMC Plow Truck 91 Camaro Vert 96 Z71 Stepsde

11-16-2009, 11:46 PM	#14
bigblock79 67 Chevy Stepside Join Date: Mar 2007 Location: Jonesville NC Posts: 836	Re: makeing a short bed crew cab thanks to all of ya __________________ 1967 Chevy stepside 1976 BIG DOOLEY 454 turbo 400 4:11

12-07-2009, 05:14 AM	#15
Mr Pops Ridin' Dirty Join Date: Oct 2009 Location: Ardrossan Alberta Canada Posts: 2,193	Re: makeing a short bed crew cab would it be easier to just lop off extra frame length off the rear of the chassis, and then fab the spring hanger and box mounts? Or does the curve in the frame screw that up?? __________________ 1978 C3500 Crewcab (Project) 1979 C2500 Crewcab (Driver/project) 1988 R2500 Crewcab (Driver) 1988 V3500 Crewcab 1988 R2500 Crewcab (Mint, Ex Fire Dept) 1968 Chev Suburban (4x4 conversion) LINK 1970 Chev C20 Suburban (driver/cruiser)LINK 2005 Impala (Incognito vehicle) 2004 Yukon XL Denali (Kid hauler) 1947 Case tractor Facebook Page(1000's of pictures of GM cars and trucks organized into albums) YouTube Channel



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12-07-2009, 09:35 AM	#16
b454rat Senior Member Join Date: May 2004 Location: Binghamton, NY Posts: 3,469	Re: makeing a short bed crew cab That is another way of doing it. The box sits on that high hump, but would still work, just be further ahead. The rear spring hanger might have to moved down, I'd think where they would need to be would be right in the hump in the frame. __________________ 2000 GMC CCSB 454/4L80 6” lift SAS 1999 Chevy CCSB 454/NV4500 4” SAS 1999 GMC Yukon 350/4L60 6" SAS

12-21-2009, 10:50 PM	#21
63chevyll gets board easy....... Join Date: Mar 2009 Location: Colorado Springs Posts: 717	Re: making a short bed crew cab B454rat, thats scarry, That will BREAK

12-21-2009, 11:08 PM	#23
b454rat Senior Member Join Date: May 2004 Location: Binghamton, NY Posts: 3,469	Re: making a short bed crew cab Nother shot. Attached Images __________________ 2000 GMC CCSB 454/4L80 6” lift SAS 1999 Chevy CCSB 454/NV4500 4” SAS 1999 GMC Yukon 350/4L60 6" SAS

12-22-2009, 12:49 AM	#24
joe231 Registered User Join Date: Dec 2007 Location: Palmer, Alaska Posts: 13,821	Re: making a short bed crew cab do you have any better shots? that pic is small kinda looks like the reinforcement piece on the outside of the frame isn't over the weld, hard to tell in the pics. EDIT: never-mind...I see now. as long as the welds got good penetration, I don't think it will be a problem. I would probably plate the inside, But i have a tendency to go overboard __________________ *CHEVY ONLY* Last edited by joe231; 12-22-2009 at 12:51 AM.

12-22-2009, 03:01 AM	#25
munger Registered User Join Date: Nov 2009 Location: goodland,ks Posts: 217	Re: making a short bed crew cab so b454rat that pickup has a nv4500 in it? and what does 427td mean __________________ mitch 87 chevy short box 4wd tbi 350/built 700r4/np208 3.73s

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