Need opinions: use existing 63 c10 swb frame or shorten 66 good c20 lwb frame

[russellrox]

I have a few decisions to make, I have a 63 short wide c10 that I am restoring, I have it stripped down to bare frame and done por 15 on it, I repaired 3 areas on the frame that had been rusted thin so I repaired with new metal, all repair areas were on the rear spring mount areas. My issue now is I just came across a great deal on a 66 lwb c20 that is mint, with zero rust and was restored 15 years ago, I bought the c20 also, I want to use this truck as a platform instead since it's got very low miles and already complete. I want to either convert the 3/4 ton to a half ton with 5 bolt, which I already have everything to do this and shorten the frame to a short box. Or use my 1/2 ton frame and swap everything over from the 3/4 ton. I like the idea of the 3/4 ton frame with the thicker steel, shortening the frame I think would be a lot quicker as I wouldn't have to pull engine and cab. what do you guys think.

[aerotruk63]

Frames after 1962 are tempered and are not recommended to be welded.

[russellrox]

as long as the welding is done by a pro and done right, I am not worried about that at all.

[Captainfab]

Shortening a frame is much easier with the cab removed since the area where the shortening needs to be done is under the cab.

It sounds to me like shortening the C20 is the way to go for what you are wanting.

FWIW I have welded on many truck frames from 1/2 tons to Class 8 heavy trucks. You just have to know what you're doing.