Delays, Delays, Delays - The 1947 - Present Chevrolet & GMC Truck Message Board Network

GloryHound · 08-01-2005, 03:26 PM

I got my wonderful SWB truck stripped to the frame!

After getting it their I started taking measurements and have discovered it is bent between the front crossmember and the front cab support.

and more

!! So after much

ing I decided I will be cutting the front off my LWB parts truck to get everything to work. Now I have to get the LWB into the garage (without an engine) so I can strip it down to the bare frame and take measurements. Looking at the SWB what I am thinking of doing is cutting the frames in the very center of the front cab support. This way I can use grade 8 bolts and the cab supports to align everything. Then I will take an 1/4" plate about 12" long and put it on the inside of the frame for added strength. The bolts will go through the rivet holes in the cab support through the frame and then through the 1/4" plate on the back. But I will weld the seam on each side first using the plate or cab support for alignment and grind it smooth. Then weld the cab support and plate in.

So what does everyone think? Will this be strong enough? Any other recammended ways of fixing this? I was going to take it to a frame straightening shop but they are estimating anywhere from $300 to $2000

to fix it!

boraxman · 08-01-2005, 03:31 PM

I would get a different frame, plenty out there.

GloryHound · 08-01-2005, 03:35 PM

On your side of the country yes! They are hard to come by out here, at least good ones people are willing to sell off at a reasonable price!

boraxman · 08-01-2005, 03:37 PM

You can try a wanted ad on the parts board, you never know. Good luck anyhow.

matthufham · 08-01-2005, 04:01 PM

you could shorten the lwb frame like someone would converting a longbed to a shortbed, there's tons of diagrams, faqs, and measurements on the board.

mocwon · 08-01-2005, 04:06 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by matthufham

you could shorten the lwb frame like someone would converting a longbed to a shortbed, there's tons of diagrams, faqs, and measurements on the board.

That's the route I'd take too.....

67ChevyRedneck · 08-01-2005, 04:23 PM

I think your trying to avoid swapping the disk/drum front suspensions??? I'd go with the others and chop the lwb frame and put it back together. The front suspension can be taken off as a unit, rolled under the new frame, and bolted back up. Good luck!

GloryHound · 08-01-2005, 05:42 PM

If I do it I would like to keep it better hidden. Also I do not have a perfectly level floor and the common shortening method requires that. For some reason it slopes toward a hole in the center in my garage. The front suspension is already completely dissassembled from the 71 and it was a drum set anyway. I bought a disc brake spindles already. Right now the 71's frame does not have a bolt left in it only the rivets are holding it together. I was going to take the frame out and have it sandblasted and epoxy coated until I started my measurements and found out it was bent. Good thing I checked my measurements first.

**Smitty** · 08-01-2005, 06:26 PM

Why not check a good frame shop and see if they can straighten it? It could be blocked up and tied down I would think! Unless it's really bad. Being naturally lazy and thinking about all the work involved in the direction you're talking about taking. I would see if it can be straightened. Just a thought.

GloryHound · 08-01-2005, 06:33 PM

I already looked at that and they will not give me an estimate, but they say it can range from $300 for a simple pull to $2000 for more intensive work!

08-01-2005, 03:26 PM	#1
GloryHound Working on a Nova. Join Date: Nov 2002 Location: ## Posts: 506	Delays, Delays, Delays I got my wonderful SWB truck stripped to the frame! After getting it their I started taking measurements and have discovered it is bent between the front crossmember and the front cab support. and more !! So after much ing I decided I will be cutting the front off my LWB parts truck to get everything to work. Now I have to get the LWB into the garage (without an engine) so I can strip it down to the bare frame and take measurements. Looking at the SWB what I am thinking of doing is cutting the frames in the very center of the front cab support. This way I can use grade 8 bolts and the cab supports to align everything. Then I will take an 1/4" plate about 12" long and put it on the inside of the frame for added strength. The bolts will go through the rivet holes in the cab support through the frame and then through the 1/4" plate on the back. But I will weld the seam on each side first using the plate or cab support for alignment and grind it smooth. Then weld the cab support and plate in. So what does everyone think? Will this be strong enough? Any other recammended ways of fixing this? I was going to take it to a frame straightening shop but they are estimating anywhere from $300 to $2000 to fix it!

08-01-2005, 03:31 PM	#2
boraxman Keepin an eye out Join Date: Feb 2003 Location: So.Cal Posts: 3,920	I would get a different frame, plenty out there. __________________ 1970 Chevy C10 SWB 5.3 1996 Toyota Tacoma SR5 4x4 2007 Vespa GTS 250 Scooter ZIP 91351

08-01-2005, 03:37 PM	#4
boraxman Keepin an eye out Join Date: Feb 2003 Location: So.Cal Posts: 3,920	You can try a wanted ad on the parts board, you never know. Good luck anyhow. __________________ 1970 Chevy C10 SWB 5.3 1996 Toyota Tacoma SR5 4x4 2007 Vespa GTS 250 Scooter ZIP 91351

08-01-2005, 04:23 PM	#7
67ChevyRedneck Hittin E-Z Street on Mud Tires Join Date: Nov 2004 Location: Greenville, SC Posts: 23,090	I think your trying to avoid swapping the disk/drum front suspensions??? I'd go with the others and chop the lwb frame and put it back together. The front suspension can be taken off as a unit, rolled under the new frame, and bolted back up. Good luck! __________________ Jesse James 1967 C10 SWB Stepside: 350/700R4/3.73 1965 Ford Mustang: 289/T5-5spd/3.25 Trac-Loc 1968 Pontiac Firebird: Project Fire Chicken! 2015 Silverado Double Cab 5.3L Z71 2001 Jeep Wrangler Sport 4.0L 5spd 2020 Chevrolet Equinox Premium 2.0L Turbo 2011 Mustang V6 ~ Wife's ride American Born, Country by the Grace of God 1967 CST Shop Truck Rebuild! My 1967 C-10 Build Thread My Vintage Air A/C Install Project "On a Dime" Trying my hand at Home Renovation! 1965 Mustang Modifications!

08-01-2005, 06:26 PM	#9
Smitty Senior Member Join Date: Dec 1999 Location: Spring Valley, Ca. Posts: 1,137	Why not check a good frame shop and see if they can straighten it? It could be blocked up and tied down I would think! Unless it's really bad. Being naturally lazy and thinking about all the work involved in the direction you're talking about taking. I would see if it can be straightened. Just a thought. __________________ Smitty '71 Short Fleetside Spring Valley, Ca.

08-01-2005, 03:35 PM	#3
GloryHound Working on a Nova. Join Date: Nov 2002 Location: ## Posts: 506	On your side of the country yes! They are hard to come by out here, at least good ones people are willing to sell off at a reasonable price!

08-01-2005, 04:01 PM	#5
matthufham Registered User Join Date: Feb 2005 Location: Carl Junction, Missouri Posts: 2,061	you could shorten the lwb frame like someone would converting a longbed to a shortbed, there's tons of diagrams, faqs, and measurements on the board.

08-01-2005, 05:42 PM	#8
GloryHound Working on a Nova. Join Date: Nov 2002 Location: ## Posts: 506	If I do it I would like to keep it better hidden. Also I do not have a perfectly level floor and the common shortening method requires that. For some reason it slopes toward a hole in the center in my garage. The front suspension is already completely dissassembled from the 71 and it was a drum set anyway. I bought a disc brake spindles already. Right now the 71's frame does not have a bolt left in it only the rivets are holding it together. I was going to take the frame out and have it sandblasted and epoxy coated until I started my measurements and found out it was bent. Good thing I checked my measurements first.

08-01-2005, 06:33 PM	#10
GloryHound Working on a Nova. Join Date: Nov 2002 Location: ## Posts: 506	I already looked at that and they will not give me an estimate, but they say it can range from $300 for a simple pull to $2000 for more intensive work!



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