Frame Shortening - The 1947 - Present Chevrolet & GMC Truck Message Board Network

69ChevySB · 03-05-2003, 01:21 AM

HI folks I was just wondering about shortened frames, I always here about it, has anyone here ever done it? or seen it done or seen a truck with a shortened frame? is it better than buying a shortbed frame or does a shortnened frame act exactly the same

someone please help, whats the cheapest/easiest way to go?

-buy shortbed frame
-buy longbed frame and shorten
-use spare longbed frame and shorten

stllookn · 03-05-2003, 01:29 AM

Off hand I would say that if you have to ask...you better buy a short frame or one that has been done by a professional. The reason I say this is because without the welding skills and equipment it will take you some time to learn the skills and do a decent job. If you have a friend or co-worker who is a professional welder to help you...no stinking problem mate! If you look around you can find a short frame for $200-$300. That won't get you all welding gear you need to do this job. If you have a friend with all the gear and you have a spare long frame...go for it...you will really have fun!

67cst · 03-05-2003, 02:03 AM

what a coincidence, mine got shortened just hours ago, a local machinist did it, havent seen it yet ( down at my dads house ) but he said it looks awesome, fish plated the inside, ill get some pics this weekend...still dont know about $$ though, hopefully beer but i dont think ill get that lucky

smokekiki · 03-05-2003, 10:12 AM

do a search for shortened frames,ebfabman did a post on this

**nightmare** · 03-05-2003, 10:59 AM

i had thought about doing that too, but it was cheaper for me to buy a shortbed frame. $200 for the frame at the local junk yard. and that came with the rear trailering arms, coils and driveshaft. i didn't need the front suspension.

70c10 · 03-05-2003, 11:57 AM

I think some people have cut the frame and bought new short bed sides.

Riles72 · 03-05-2003, 02:10 PM

he he! I was going to do this, but the only guy in my area that knew how to do it wouldn't do it for liablility reasons, but, he did have a short bed cab and chassis that he sold us....for a mere price of 75 bucks! Never been wrecked, decent cab, etc... It was a pretty easy swap too...unbolted suspension and bolted it to the other frame. Then we suspended the cab from the long frame and rolled the short one under it and bolted it down.

Riley

matt67350 · 03-05-2003, 02:25 PM

Got a swb frame for $150.00

chevjayfsd · 03-05-2003, 04:22 PM

I have performed it myself on my truck (I will post pics of it when i get home) It is easy but i would definately try to find a SWB frame first, but then if you can't find one cut a lwb. It is simple if you know what you are doing. If you decide to do it then pm me and ask me some more questions if needed

Jason

**john** · 03-05-2003, 08:52 PM

Check this post out, alot of good info and real good pics by ebfabman
http://67-72chevytrucks.com/vboard/s...ame+shortening

Gene · 03-05-2003, 09:59 PM

I had mine shortened, I would agree that finding a short chassis is the best way to go. But it was hard for me to find a straight frame so I had mine cut then got a short fleet bed for it.

Tell me if you can tell it's been cut?

chevjayfsd · 03-06-2003, 01:12 PM

Here is mine, you can see that the body lines match up, I will go home and get a side view.

jason

dubie · 03-06-2003, 03:47 PM

http://67-72chevytrucks.com/vboard/s...=cutting+frame
Check out that post, it even has step by step pics

03-05-2003, 01:21 AM	#1
69ChevySB dropped69 Join Date: Jan 2003 Location: Grand Canyon State Posts: 120	Frame Shortening HI folks I was just wondering about shortened frames, I always here about it, has anyone here ever done it? or seen it done or seen a truck with a shortened frame? is it better than buying a shortbed frame or does a shortnened frame act exactly the same someone please help, whats the cheapest/easiest way to go? -buy shortbed frame -buy longbed frame and shorten -use spare longbed frame and shorten

03-05-2003, 01:29 AM	#2
stllookn Saving 1 truck at a time! Join Date: Aug 2001 Location: Kent, WA Posts: 6,465	Off hand I would say that if you have to ask...you better buy a short frame or one that has been done by a professional. The reason I say this is because without the welding skills and equipment it will take you some time to learn the skills and do a decent job. If you have a friend or co-worker who is a professional welder to help you...no stinking problem mate! If you look around you can find a short frame for $200-$300. That won't get you all welding gear you need to do this job. If you have a friend with all the gear and you have a spare long frame...go for it...you will really have fun! __________________ '68 C20 Longhorn 50th Anniversary 400/TH400 '68 C20 Longhorn 50th Anniversary 468/TH400w/buckets '72 C20 Halfhorn (Longhorn w/o cab and front clip) '69 Flxible Cruiser (look up ugly in the dictionary)

03-05-2003, 02:03 AM	#3
67cst i love summertime Join Date: Jul 2002 Location: Kelowna BC Posts: 4,302	what a coincidence, mine got shortened just hours ago, a local machinist did it, havent seen it yet ( down at my dads house ) but he said it looks awesome, fish plated the inside, ill get some pics this weekend...still dont know about $$ though, hopefully beer but i dont think ill get that lucky __________________ 1967 shortbox stepside Chevy, 365 hp 327, th400. GLOVE BOX LIGHTS FORSALE, click link for info http://67-72chevytrucks.com/vboard/s...d.php?t=273724

03-05-2003, 10:12 AM	#4
smokekiki Mike Join Date: Jan 2003 Location: west chester pa Posts: 2,473	do a search for shortened frames,ebfabman did a post on this __________________ 70'c/10, 71 suburban4x4 402bb, 72suburban 4/6 drop, 72k/5 4x4 blazer 4" lift 35 tires Last edited by smokekiki; 03-05-2003 at 10:14 AM.

03-05-2003, 11:57 AM	#6
70c10 67-72 Addict! Join Date: Feb 2002 Location: The TAX State! Posts: 7,856	I think some people have cut the frame and bought new short bed sides. __________________ Jim 1970 C/10 Fleetside w/Ghost Flames Lowered 4.5" front and 4" rear (Raked) 355/350 Turbo w/shift kit 10" Redneck Performance Verter w/2500 stall Hooker Super Comps part#2808-1 Performer RPM Air-Gap 12 Bolt w/3:73 gears- Eaton Posi Comp Cams XE262 with 1.6 Crane Energizers, Road Demon 625 and Brodix IK 180 heads

03-05-2003, 02:10 PM	#7
Riles72 Registered User Join Date: Feb 2000 Location: Chickasha, Oklahoma Posts: 117	he he! I was going to do this, but the only guy in my area that knew how to do it wouldn't do it for liablility reasons, but, he did have a short bed cab and chassis that he sold us....for a mere price of 75 bucks! Never been wrecked, decent cab, etc... It was a pretty easy swap too...unbolted suspension and bolted it to the other frame. Then we suspended the cab from the long frame and rolled the short one under it and bolted it down. Riley __________________ 72 Chevy short stepside 350/350 tilt, vintage air a/c sunset Orange Metallic paint Early Classic 2.5/4 drop eagle series 211 wheels

03-05-2003, 02:25 PM	#8
matt67350 Registered User Join Date: May 2001 Location: Benbrook, TX Posts: 1,060	Got a swb frame for $150.00 __________________ 69 swb stepside, rebuild and upgrade in progress

03-05-2003, 04:22 PM	#9
chevjayfsd Project 7dos Join Date: Aug 2001 Location: Abilene, Texas Posts: 876	I have performed it myself on my truck (I will post pics of it when i get home) It is easy but i would definately try to find a SWB frame first, but then if you can't find one cut a lwb. It is simple if you know what you are doing. If you decide to do it then pm me and ask me some more questions if needed Jason __________________ 7DOS - 1972 C-10 350/350 Porterbuilt/Accuair 20x8.5/20x10 Ride Low or Die PSSST - Yes it's bagged. 7dos build thread: http://67-72chevytrucks.com/vboard/s...d.php?t=610290

03-05-2003, 08:52 PM	#10
john member #16 Join Date: Dec 1999 Location: Yuba City Ca. Posts: 3,618	Check this post out, alot of good info and real good pics by ebfabman http://67-72chevytrucks.com/vboard/s...ame+shortening __________________ john http://67-72chevytrucks.com/vboard/showgroups.php board vendors http://www.flickr.com/photos/1745471...7602865984234/

03-05-2003, 09:59 PM	#11
Gene Registered User Join Date: Aug 2002 Location: Muskogee, Oklahoma Posts: 2,914	I had mine shortened, I would agree that finding a short chassis is the best way to go. But it was hard for me to find a straight frame so I had mine cut then got a short fleet bed for it. Tell me if you can tell it's been cut? Attached Images __________________ 1971 SWB 4X4 Build BOARD MEMBER #5448 BOOMER SOONER!!!!

03-06-2003, 01:12 PM	#12
chevjayfsd Project 7dos Join Date: Aug 2001 Location: Abilene, Texas Posts: 876	Here is mine, you can see that the body lines match up, I will go home and get a side view. jason Attached Images __________________ 7DOS - 1972 C-10 350/350 Porterbuilt/Accuair 20x8.5/20x10 Ride Low or Die PSSST - Yes it's bagged. 7dos build thread: http://67-72chevytrucks.com/vboard/s...d.php?t=610290

03-06-2003, 03:47 PM	#13
dubie Registered User Join Date: May 2000 Location: Flin Flon, Manitoba, Canada Posts: 8,853	http://67-72chevytrucks.com/vboard/s...=cutting+frame Check out that post, it even has step by step pics __________________ My name's Tim and I'm a truckaholic My 56 Chevy shop truck build http://67-72chevytrucks.com/vboard/s...d.php?t=562795

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