Making a LWB into a SWB - shortening a '55-'59 Chevy Truck Frame & Bed

[JANJ]

i have a 56 3200 i would like to shorten -- i am in dallas area -- if i brought it to you - being in no hurry - could you do it ?? -- approx cost ???

[53choptop]

Sorry JanJ, I don't do work for others. Thanks for the offer though.

[ChuckDriver]

Thanks for all the great info!! Very nice work too!!

[dan76]

Thanks for the detailed post. Did you do any plug welds or did you rely upon the 1/4" plate as reinforcements?

[53choptop]

don't really understand what you mean by plugging the welds, but the 1/4 inch plate plus the step cut is enough, even some of the factory manuals I have seen show this is the way it should be done when shortening a frame.

[RCbowtie69]

nice job, cool !!!!

[hotrodjoe1952]

very nice mods man, i enjoy good craftsmanship and detail...i am working on my own truck and the frame and bed need to be shorten and your post has given me the direction i need to go...thanks.

[brooksinc1976]

Subscribed. Like the info I just got ----->





for------->

I am sure Ill have some questions if your still on here

[thotfulspot]

That's some hard-core fabrication. The previous owner shortened the frame on mine and I'm cheating by buying a Mar-K box and will adjust the frame as needed. I've got a Porterbuilt suspension ready to be installed. The rear notch and dropmember should make it easier to make adjustments on the frame.

I really wish I was doing the fabrication on mine. I've done all the rest of my projects including another '57 when I was in college. Due to an accident the right side of my body is pieced back together. Instead on a never ending project in the garage, she made me get a shop to do the work while I watch from the sidelines. At least I'm playing project manager and handling all the part purchasing and making the decisions on what is being done. It was supposed to be a birthday present for me this fall. Maybe next year.

[MARTINSR]

This thread should be made a "sticky". It's the best of the best, perfection in how to shorten a bed.

The trick of drilling out the spot welds to move a part is soooo overlooked. People do as I once did, cut stuff, when drilling the spot welds is such a great way to go.

And some of this can be used on a fleet side too. Like that this......


Might possibly be done at the factory welds. You may need to fold a new flange, or cut the skin right at the flange, right just an eighth inch away, move it to where you want it and weld it. Then spot weld the end back on like it was at the factory, well "plug weld" it. But this is a LOT better than cutting down the middle of the side.

When I sectioned the cab on my truck, I drilled the firewall away from the upper cowl and trimmed the upper cowl the amount of the section then dropped the cab down onto the stock firewall upper flange and plug welded it. Simple as can be!

But really, this is an EXCELLENT how-to for shortening these trucks, beautiful job!

Brian