Relocating spring mounts? - The 1947 - Present Chevrolet & GMC Truck Message Board Network

purplehavoc · 12-18-2014, 09:19 PM

Getting ready to tackle clipping my truck over the holidays, but I also need to shorten the wheel base down from a long bed.
Has anyone just relocated the spring mounts forward and cut the excess off the rear of the frame instead of cutting and re-welding the frame??
Its not a big deal to relocate a couple of cross members forward, and I am not concerned with the step up in the frame where the axle would have been as I will be notching to clear the axle anyway.
Thanks for any advice

mr48chev · 12-19-2014, 12:45 AM

I'm thinking that that frame tapers down top to bottom starting just behind the spring mount. That could be an issue especially if you are going to flip the axle on top of the springs to lower it.

nvrdone · 12-19-2014, 12:03 PM

You also have a curve in the frame above the axle. If you just move the axle forward the axle may hit on the frame.
Search the forum. There are many guys who have shortened frames. One that comes to mind is coach49 (?)

OrrieG · 12-19-2014, 01:04 PM

My two cents. I think for future resale you would want to have the axle kick up in the "correct" visual location. Otherwise it will look like a short cut job and make other work on the truck suspect. Like others said there are threads on the shortening, usually done just behind the rear cab mount location using off set notches and inside fish plates. Some also but weld the connection but offset with horizontal welds will resist bending better.

crossfire84 · 12-19-2014, 05:45 PM

I cut my frame did it in a few hours complete.

purplehavoc · 12-20-2014, 05:27 PM

Thanks for the advice guys.
Looks like I will just cut and shorten mine behind the cab. Just thought I would see if anyone tried this before I took the sawzall out.

_Ogre · 12-20-2014, 07:08 PM

Z cut the frame, not straight cut, this gives more weld length
add a filch plate inside the frame extending 2'' past the z cut and top and bottom flanges

12-18-2014, 09:19 PM	#1
purplehavoc Registered User Join Date: Jun 2008 Location: Kenora Ont. Posts: 59	Relocating spring mounts? Getting ready to tackle clipping my truck over the holidays, but I also need to shorten the wheel base down from a long bed. Has anyone just relocated the spring mounts forward and cut the excess off the rear of the frame instead of cutting and re-welding the frame?? Its not a big deal to relocate a couple of cross members forward, and I am not concerned with the step up in the frame where the axle would have been as I will be notching to clear the axle anyway. Thanks for any advice __________________ 09 GMC 2500HD 6.6L 07 F-250 Super Duty V10 03 Chevy Tahoe 82 K5 blazer plow truck,currently under the knife 56 GMC stepside short,also in progress

12-19-2014, 12:45 AM	#2
mr48chev Registered User Join Date: Jul 2007 Location: Toppenish, WA Posts: 15,500	Re: Relocating spring mounts? I'm thinking that that frame tapers down top to bottom starting just behind the spring mount. That could be an issue especially if you are going to flip the axle on top of the springs to lower it. __________________ Founding member of the too many projects, too little time and money club. My ongoing truck projects: 48 Chev 3100 that will run a 292 Six. 71 GMC 2500 that is getting a Cad 500 transplant. 77 C 30 dualie, 454, 4 speed with a 10 foot flatbed and hoist. It does the heavy work and hauls the projects around.

12-19-2014, 12:03 PM	#3
nvrdone Registered User Join Date: Dec 2011 Location: Moxee WA Posts: 1,468	Re: Relocating spring mounts? You also have a curve in the frame above the axle. If you just move the axle forward the axle may hit on the frame. Search the forum. There are many guys who have shortened frames. One that comes to mind is coach49 (?)

12-19-2014, 01:04 PM	#4
OrrieG Registered User Join Date: Jun 2006 Location: Idaho Posts: 8,800	Re: Relocating spring mounts? My two cents. I think for future resale you would want to have the axle kick up in the "correct" visual location. Otherwise it will look like a short cut job and make other work on the truck suspect. Like others said there are threads on the shortening, usually done just behind the rear cab mount location using off set notches and inside fish plates. Some also but weld the connection but offset with horizontal welds will resist bending better. __________________ 1959 Chevy Short Fleetside w/ 74 4WD drive train (current project) OrrieG Build Thread 1964 Chevelle Malibu w/ 355-350TH (daily driver) Helpful AD and TF Manual Site Old Car Manual Project

12-19-2014, 05:45 PM	#5
crossfire84 Registered User Join Date: Jun 2012 Location: wind lake WI Posts: 1,747	Re: Relocating spring mounts? I cut my frame did it in a few hours complete. __________________ LIL ERV the 50-3600 396 BBC stroked to 415 cid Richmond 6spd over drive C4 rear Porter built a arms Never give the Devil a ride,because he'll want to Drive!

12-20-2014, 05:27 PM	#6
purplehavoc Registered User Join Date: Jun 2008 Location: Kenora Ont. Posts: 59	Re: Relocating spring mounts? Thanks for the advice guys. Looks like I will just cut and shorten mine behind the cab. Just thought I would see if anyone tried this before I took the sawzall out. __________________ 09 GMC 2500HD 6.6L 07 F-250 Super Duty V10 03 Chevy Tahoe 82 K5 blazer plow truck,currently under the knife 56 GMC stepside short,also in progress

12-20-2014, 07:08 PM	#7
_Ogre Registered User Join Date: Jan 2012 Location: Motown Posts: 7,680	Re: Relocating spring mounts? Z cut the frame, not straight cut, this gives more weld length add a filch plate inside the frame extending 2'' past the z cut and top and bottom flanges __________________ cool, an ogre smiley Ogre's 58 Truk build how to put your truck year and build thread into your signature shop air compressor timer



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