must read magazine article - The 1947 - Present Chevrolet & GMC Truck Message Board Network

**jerry moss** · 03-18-2003, 09:39 PM

just got my april, 03 "custom classic trucks" magazine and on page 30 is an article on how to shorten a longbed frame done by early classic enterprises. thought some of you might be interested in reading about it.

JimKshortstep4x4 · 03-19-2003, 08:50 AM

Jerry,

I read it and it was not too bad. Interesting that they cut the frame on an angle.

Jim

**jerry moss** · 03-19-2003, 10:41 AM

Jim,
we have a local shop that does it like that also, they call it a "Z" cut and say it's much stronger than a straight up and down weld.seems like a lot of work, heck, i know where a few short 2wd frames are sitting that could be had for 150.00 to 250.00 and they don't sell out here. if i was looking for a short frame i'd rather have one that hadn't been cut, but thats just my opinion.

JimKshortstep4x4 · 03-19-2003, 08:35 PM

Jerry,

For the price of a 2 wheel drive frame, it would be really hard to have someone cut and weld a frame for the same cost. The article implied that short frames were not to be found!

Around Michigan, there are no short frames to be found. They must all be out with you!

Jim

**PICKMUP** · 03-19-2003, 08:54 PM

I just bought a really nice one, roller w/posi off an offering on this board from Breeh in North Bend, WA. I would NEVER run a cut frame to get a SWB. It justs screws up the value too much, unless you are cutting up all the rest of it too, for air bags, tubular arms, 4-link etc...then who cares. Tell a potential buyer of a nice little SWB truck that the frame has been cut and welded...then watch his face!

Earl Junior · 03-20-2003, 11:18 AM

Don't ask don't tell?

The owner of that sweet '67 long box on the cover doesn't happen to be a board member, does he?

dion · 03-20-2003, 11:32 AM

I thought it was a good article but the saying "Longbed, no! Shortbed, yes!" was in bad tase considering the cover/spread story was a longbed. I'm guessing they don't have many shortbeds in the city where the Author lives.

**StingRay** · 03-20-2003, 02:27 PM

Well around here swb frames are next to non existant and it costs about a thousand bucks Canadian to pay somebody to haul one up here. Chopping a frame for 500 or so sounds pretty good when compared to say about 1500 to buy and bring one up. None the less I would still prefer an uncut frame. Any body know where a guy can find decent short frames in Western Canada? They are worth their weight in gold up here!

67cst · 03-20-2003, 02:45 PM

STINGRAY--->i just got my frame cut about 2 weeks ago, you cant even tell that it has been done, other than the fact that there is a fish plate on the inside frame rail, but they are impossible to find around here so i had no choice, i would prefer a non shortened swb frame but sometimes you have to change things to work for you, and i bet that where the frame was cut, welded and fishplated it is stronger than a regular frame...well at least the machinist that did it figured that

cheyenne10 · 03-20-2003, 05:48 PM

I see both sides. On a nice matching truck cutting at least keeps the vins and title. On the swap it gives the factory frame but different vins (unless swapping vin plates!!) I wouldn't sell a truck that had modifications like either of these without fulling disclosing what I knew and with a "AS-IS" taillight guarranty. I have a LWB cheyenne I would sure like to have as SWB. Anyone want to do a #1 job frame shortening for me!! The key for me is to keep the front half and back half lined up EXACTLY.

Tuffold72 · 03-20-2003, 08:33 PM

Here is a link to my frame we did a few weeks ago. Cost me some Beer to have it done right.
http://groups.msn.com/ProjectBigRed

67cst · 03-21-2003, 02:47 AM

cheyenne10---definately key having the frame lined up eh

Woody · 03-21-2003, 04:03 PM

Tuffold72, Is that what you did with my $130?

krue · 03-23-2003, 10:56 PM

I haven't really checked, but I am pretty sure short bed frames not too hard to come by down here. Guess it all depends on where you are.

krue · 03-24-2003, 10:53 PM

I asked around at work and found three people who knew where swb frames could be found (back yards, cow pastures, briar patches, etc.)

Sounds like I need to load a flat bed and head north!

**jerry moss** · 03-24-2003, 11:13 PM

short frames are pretty easy to come by around here too, i guess thats why they don't sell very well in my area. i still have a real nice 72 GMC short coil frame if anyone is interested--$150.00. i also know of a few in area wrecking yards that i'm sure could be had for a decent price and some elbow grease.
by the way, early classic ent. is located in fresno ca. i think the article was meant for people that don't have the amount of trucks available that we do or already have a nice longbed truck but want a shortbox while keeping the paperwork unchanged.

krue · 03-24-2003, 11:30 PM

Thanks Jerry. I'm new to the board and was surprised at what soem people thought was hard to find.

03-19-2003, 10:41 AM	#3
jerry moss Born Psycho Join Date: Feb 2001 Location: brentwood,cal,usa Posts: 4,861	Jim, we have a local shop that does it like that also, they call it a "Z" cut and say it's much stronger than a straight up and down weld.seems like a lot of work, heck, i know where a few short 2wd frames are sitting that could be had for 150.00 to 250.00 and they don't sell out here. if i was looking for a short frame i'd rather have one that hadn't been cut, but thats just my opinion. __________________ jerry moss 72 cheyenne super K20- tilt,tach,vacuum,speedwarning,buckets,shoulder belts,am/fm,tow hooks,bumper guards,toolbox,aux. fuel tank,posi front and rear,plus other goodies!!! SOLD 69 suburban K20-tilt,tach,vacuum,speedwarning,buckets,shoulder belts,am/fm,4 inch all spring lift,4 speed, 14 bolt full floater, dana 44 HD,warn winch,posi front and rear,tow hooks,plus other goodies. 73/80 chevy/gmc K20 SB400,turbo 400,205,tilt,a-c,gas hog. 77 K/5 cheyenne blazer-daily driver/beater. SON HAS IT NOW BRENTWOOD,CALIFORNIA

03-19-2003, 08:54 PM	#5
PICKMUP "Trucks with Class" Join Date: Jul 2000 Location: OLYMPIA, WA, USA Posts: 8,126	I just bought a really nice one, roller w/posi off an offering on this board from Breeh in North Bend, WA. I would NEVER run a cut frame to get a SWB. It justs screws up the value too much, unless you are cutting up all the rest of it too, for air bags, tubular arms, 4-link etc...then who cares. Tell a potential buyer of a nice little SWB truck that the frame has been cut and welded...then watch his face! __________________ Email: frankeham@comcast.net Phone: 360-956-7170

03-20-2003, 11:18 AM	#6
Earl Junior Cadillac power Join Date: Oct 2002 Location: North Idaho Posts: 296	Don't ask don't tell? The owner of that sweet '67 long box on the cover doesn't happen to be a board member, does he? __________________ Just for the record, if I'm down to my last potato, I'm not sharing it with a guy who wants to kill me so he can get a better supply of virgins in paradise. That lesson is a little thing I call Economics 101, infidel style. --Scott Adams author of Dilbert

03-20-2003, 11:32 AM	#7
dion 72 Cheyenne Join Date: Oct 2001 Location: San Diego Posts: 2,086	I thought it was a good article but the saying "Longbed, no! Shortbed, yes!" was in bad tase considering the cover/spread story was a longbed. I'm guessing they don't have many shortbeds in the city where the Author lives. __________________ Burnout Idle 1972Cheyenne 1966/67Stouts

03-20-2003, 02:27 PM	#8
StingRay Senior Member Join Date: Mar 2000 Location: Saskatoon,SK,Canada Posts: 2,476	Well around here swb frames are next to non existant and it costs about a thousand bucks Canadian to pay somebody to haul one up here. Chopping a frame for 500 or so sounds pretty good when compared to say about 1500 to buy and bring one up. None the less I would still prefer an uncut frame. Any body know where a guy can find decent short frames in Western Canada? They are worth their weight in gold up here! __________________ Saskatoon, Saskatchewan Canada

03-18-2003, 09:39 PM	#1
jerry moss Born Psycho Join Date: Feb 2001 Location: brentwood,cal,usa Posts: 4,861	must read magazine article just got my april, 03 "custom classic trucks" magazine and on page 30 is an article on how to shorten a longbed frame done by early classic enterprises. thought some of you might be interested in reading about it. __________________ jerry moss 72 cheyenne super K20- tilt,tach,vacuum,speedwarning,buckets,shoulder belts,am/fm,tow hooks,bumper guards,toolbox,aux. fuel tank,posi front and rear,plus other goodies!!! SOLD 69 suburban K20-tilt,tach,vacuum,speedwarning,buckets,shoulder belts,am/fm,4 inch all spring lift,4 speed, 14 bolt full floater, dana 44 HD,warn winch,posi front and rear,tow hooks,plus other goodies. 73/80 chevy/gmc K20 SB400,turbo 400,205,tilt,a-c,gas hog. 77 K/5 cheyenne blazer-daily driver/beater. SON HAS IT NOW BRENTWOOD,CALIFORNIA

03-19-2003, 08:50 AM	#2
JimKshortstep4x4 Senior Member Join Date: Jul 2001 Location: Muskegon,MI,USA Posts: 6,026	Jerry, I read it and it was not too bad. Interesting that they cut the frame on an angle. Jim

03-19-2003, 08:35 PM	#4
JimKshortstep4x4 Senior Member Join Date: Jul 2001 Location: Muskegon,MI,USA Posts: 6,026	Jerry, For the price of a 2 wheel drive frame, it would be really hard to have someone cut and weld a frame for the same cost. The article implied that short frames were not to be found! Around Michigan, there are no short frames to be found. They must all be out with you! Jim

03-20-2003, 02:45 PM	#9
67cst i love summertime Join Date: Jul 2002 Location: Kelowna BC Posts: 4,303	STINGRAY--->i just got my frame cut about 2 weeks ago, you cant even tell that it has been done, other than the fact that there is a fish plate on the inside frame rail, but they are impossible to find around here so i had no choice, i would prefer a non shortened swb frame but sometimes you have to change things to work for you, and i bet that where the frame was cut, welded and fishplated it is stronger than a regular frame...well at least the machinist that did it figured that __________________ 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

03-20-2003, 05:48 PM	#10
cheyenne10 Senior Member Join Date: Apr 2000 Location: Oregon Posts: 2,512	pros and cons I see both sides. On a nice matching truck cutting at least keeps the vins and title. On the swap it gives the factory frame but different vins (unless swapping vin plates!!) I wouldn't sell a truck that had modifications like either of these without fulling disclosing what I knew and with a "AS-IS" taillight guarranty. I have a LWB cheyenne I would sure like to have as SWB. Anyone want to do a #1 job frame shortening for me!! The key for me is to keep the front half and back half lined up EXACTLY. __________________ Bob

03-20-2003, 08:33 PM	#11
Tuffold72 Registered User Join Date: Oct 2002 Location: Oregon Posts: 69	Here is a link to my frame we did a few weeks ago. Cost me some Beer to have it done right. http://groups.msn.com/ProjectBigRed

03-21-2003, 02:47 AM	#12
67cst i love summertime Join Date: Jul 2002 Location: Kelowna BC Posts: 4,303	cheyenne10---definately key having the frame lined up eh __________________ 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

03-21-2003, 04:03 PM	#13
Woody Registered User Join Date: Feb 2000 Location: Georgetown, KY, USA Posts: 631	Tuffold72, Is that what you did with my $130?

03-23-2003, 10:56 PM	#14
krue Designated A-hole! Join Date: Mar 2003 Location: South Mississippi Posts: 36,450	I haven't really checked, but I am pretty sure short bed frames not too hard to come by down here. Guess it all depends on where you are.

03-24-2003, 10:53 PM	#15
krue Designated A-hole! Join Date: Mar 2003 Location: South Mississippi Posts: 36,450	I asked around at work and found three people who knew where swb frames could be found (back yards, cow pastures, briar patches, etc.) Sounds like I need to load a flat bed and head north!



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03-24-2003, 11:13 PM	#16
jerry moss Born Psycho Join Date: Feb 2001 Location: brentwood,cal,usa Posts: 4,861	short frames are pretty easy to come by around here too, i guess thats why they don't sell very well in my area. i still have a real nice 72 GMC short coil frame if anyone is interested--$150.00. i also know of a few in area wrecking yards that i'm sure could be had for a decent price and some elbow grease. by the way, early classic ent. is located in fresno ca. i think the article was meant for people that don't have the amount of trucks available that we do or already have a nice longbed truck but want a shortbox while keeping the paperwork unchanged. __________________ jerry moss 72 cheyenne super K20- tilt,tach,vacuum,speedwarning,buckets,shoulder belts,am/fm,tow hooks,bumper guards,toolbox,aux. fuel tank,posi front and rear,plus other goodies!!! SOLD 69 suburban K20-tilt,tach,vacuum,speedwarning,buckets,shoulder belts,am/fm,4 inch all spring lift,4 speed, 14 bolt full floater, dana 44 HD,warn winch,posi front and rear,tow hooks,plus other goodies. 73/80 chevy/gmc K20 SB400,turbo 400,205,tilt,a-c,gas hog. 77 K/5 cheyenne blazer-daily driver/beater. SON HAS IT NOW BRENTWOOD,CALIFORNIA

03-24-2003, 11:30 PM	#17
krue Designated A-hole! Join Date: Mar 2003 Location: South Mississippi Posts: 36,450	Thanks Jerry. I'm new to the board and was surprised at what soem people thought was hard to find.

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