Opinions please!..SWB frame switch or cut the original LWB

[IndyRich]

Opinions Please!! So I am switching to a SWB. I bought a factory SWB frame from Fine69 and am about to pull the trigger on getting it sandblasted. BUT, a buddy was trying to tell me that I should consider just cutting the original frame because my truck is an original 71 BB402 AC Sierra. He said cutting the original frame preserves the stamped numbers in the frame......all true, but is that a big deal? Which is worse a SWB frame with non matching numbers or the original frame modified to a SWB......Opinions please!!

[dan42]

It's your truck. Your call.

[SactoJim]

If you're keeping it I say it doesn't matter. If down the road you want to sell it and you disclose you cut the original frame, some may not find that appealing even though it is perfectly fine to do and just as strong if not stronger than original if done right.

[sleepertruck72]

You bought the frame for the reason of using it right? Use it and save yourself alot of work and time. just my 2 cents

[VA72C10]

Originally Posted by dan42

It's your truck. Your call.

Originally Posted by SactoJim

If you're keeping it I say it doesn't matter. If down the road you want to sell it and you disclose you cut the original frame, some may not find that appealing even though it is perfectly fine to do and just as strong if not stronger than original if done right.

Originally Posted by sleepertruck72

You bought the frame for the reason of using it right? Use it and save yourself alot of work and time. just my 2 cents

with all of the above. UNLESS....in your state they check frame numbers....I'd research the law in your state and consider other state laws in case you ever intend to sell it. OR....if your state will not allow a modified frame to be titled.

In VA and many other states I simply go up to dmv with the old title and get a new one with my registration. they never look at the truck at all. But some states check the vin tag, frame #'s and check for modified frames.

[leddzepp]

Originally Posted by VA72C10

with all of the above. UNLESS....in your state they check frame numbers....I'd research the law in your state and consider other state laws in case you ever intend to sell it. OR....if your state will not allow a modified frame to be titled.

In VA and many other states I simply go up to dmv with the old title and get a new one with my registration. they never look at the truck at all. But some states check the vin tag, frame #'s and check for modified frames.

Agree with all of the above. In my case, rather than cutting my frame, I swapped everything over onto a SWB frame. If I ever sell in-state (which is most likely), there is no DMV inspection, only transfer of paperwork. That fact makes it much easier to sell than if I cut the original frame.

[69heavychevy]

like stated earlier, its your call. are you trying to go for a numbers matching build kind of deal?? if thats the case then a cut frame from would kind of negate that i'd imagine.

[keenee]

Here are my thoughts. If you cut the "rare" frame you can never uncut it. If you swap frames you can swap them back down the road.

[cdowns]

a better chance of the truck being right with a factory frame/// a better than average chance of an abortion with a chopjob

[MARKDTN]

Swap it. That way you can fix all the nagging little things along the way.

[Shyguy]

We are swapping stuff to a swb frame from a lwb frame. It is a lot easier and numbers that don't match are not a problem here in Missouri.

We are keeping the lwb frame for a future project.

[N2TRUX]

If done properly a shortened frame can be as strong if not stronger than an original frame. Many people on this forum know that, but Joe Q Public does not. If you ever plan to sell the truck, you have a larger customer base with a swapped frame over a cut one.

[LockDoc]

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Iowa does not check numbers on older vehicles but I shortened the original frame to keep the numbers correct anyway... Just a personal thing.

Lockdoc

[m6z]

swap the frame. It's easier and will give you time to rebuild the short frame while keeping the other truck intact till its time to swap it over.

[LEEVON]

I vote for the frame swap, I think it will have greater appeal for resale that way although like the others said as long as the lwb mods are done correctly they're just as good. But my guess is the average buyer would rather have a nice, documented frame swap. I say documented (check with the DMV) but when I purchased my truck it had an Arkansas title and it had to be inspected by a Kansas highway patrol officer who did verify the frame vin, vin tag and SPID vin. If the frame had been swapped without doing the paperwork the truck would have been confiscated on the spot, no question about that.

Take a guy like my Dad who is consistenly skeptical and would never attempt a major mod like shortening a frame (represents 99% of people who would buy your truck), to him it would always be "messed with" and he'd never buy it.

Those are the biggest considerations in my opinion - resale and documentation.

The frame under my truck has been straightened twice. It bothers me more that it could be out of spec or weak, some day when I do the truck again it will get a new, straighter frame. I'll worry about the stamped numbers after I'm satisfied with the end result.

[RenoKeene]

I swapped everything to a year correct short frame. The people that have the kind of money it takes to by my truck don't want to slide under it and see a spliced frame. We also don't have detailed inspections here in florida, my title says my truck is black...it has never been black, was born green and was blue when I bought it...go figure.
Hypothetically...you could always cut that numbered part of the frame rail out and weld it into the new frame, a quality weld and grind along with POR15 and presto!....just saying...
BTW...always represent your truck honestly. I do.

One more thing...The stamped numbers on my LWB GMC made no sense at all, I believe it started with SP...... I can't find a pic right now but will take one when I get home.

[IndyRich]

Thanks everyone for your opinions. I appreciate your time in replying!

[crazy longhorn]

Its your thing..."dowhatyouwanado"....I have spliced a few old trucks, & they dont scare this old man at all! The next dude might be a little "freaky" about that cut frame.....I know that I would be, if I didnt do the job You have a good swb frame....use it! Either way,it will mess with you on resale......if you plan to keep the old truck FOREVER, no biggie either way My old longhorn matches cab & frame VIN, but is not factory stock! check my signature that old Longhorn has been mine since dec of 1984, & will be mine till that old woman is shuvlin dirt on me crazyL