1965/73 Cheap Build Up

[Strodder]

There it is.



I put the wheels back on so it rolls. Here it is under the 73 frame. This is where I decided to cut the frame in a different place. Back a little where it's straighter.

[Strodder]

I lowered the body a little at a time so I could get dollies under it. With the hand truck I can wheel it around. I need to go to Harbor Freight to get 2 more dollies.




Notice the doors are closed. It's friggin Raining, snowing, and hailing out side.



Here it's going to sit for a while until I get the frame welded back together.

[joe231]

nice work!
and I dig your shop!

[Strodder]

Thanks!!

[Strodder]

Today I pressure washed the frames, and began to measure measure for
the cut. I thought cutting it at an angle would work, but it didn't. So I
cut it at a 90 degrees. I decided to slip the 2 sections together instead
of but welding together, and welding gussets at the seam. It worked
GREAT, and is very strong this way.

After I decided to slip them together with the front part of the frame be cut at a angle. See it just didn't look right.



So I cut a 90 degree, and slipped them together again.
To make them fit snug I heated the lower part of the rail and
hammered them down to open it up. I also used a ratched tie down
to squeese the front frame together which made it move in & out
better to get the measurement correct. Now the front frame slips
in real nice. I measured the cab mounts to get the correct length
when they are joined. Next I leveled both frames, and crossed
measured to make sure they are square.


The frame still didn't fit tight against each other, so I drilled a hole
through the frame where the didn't fit good. Then I bolted them tight.
This pulled them together. Then I hammered the bottom up tight again to
fit close to the inside frame.



Here it is together, but not welded yet. With both sides drilled &
bolted it's real sturdy. Even lifting it on the lift it stayed put.
When I let it back down I remesured, and it didn't move at all.



Next I'll put the cab & bed on to check the fit. If it isn't right I can still move it.Then I'll weld it.

[Alan's Classic]

Nice progress. I love your shop.

[Strodder]

Thanks Allan.
Got more done today.

I moved the cab over to the lift. So I could lower it onto the frame.






I needed to see how it would fit with the frame just bolted together.

[Strodder]

It didn't sit level with the frame. I'm going to channel the rear of the cab to make it right.

[Strodder]

Mean while I saw that the cab trial fit was good. So I lifted the cab off, and rolled the frame out to do the final welding.
First I leveled, and remeasured. Then I started to weld it.



I took advantage of the holes, and welded them up through the front frame that I slipped into the rear frame.

[CSoliz]

Where exactly is your union of the 2 frames? Is it anywhere near the cab mounts?

Where you cut them, if you wanted, how easy would it have been to shorten the wheel base?

Love your shop too!


Edit: Sorry, we posted at a similar time. I see your mounts. Second question still stands.

[Strodder]

Here's what it looks like all cleaned up. I tried to hide where I joined the frames together, and make it look as clean as possible, and very strong. Notice I welded the holes and ground them smooth.




I have to put the frame back on the lift to weld the bottom. Next I have to modify the rear cab so it fits level.

I'm want to paint the frame ASAP. but after I clean up the rest of it.

[Strodder]

Originally Posted by CSoliz

Where exactly is your union of the 2 frames? Is it anywhere near the cab mounts?

Where you cut them, if you wanted, how easy would it have been to shorten the wheel base?

Love your shop too!


Edit: Sorry, we posted at a similar time. I see your mounts. Second question still stands.

It would be easy to shorten the stock frame. Mine was complicated because of the years I joined together. Normally I would butt the frames together, and gusset them for strength. Like I shortened this S-10 frame to put under a 47 Studebaker Truck. This is a picture before I made the gussets that would sandwich the butt welds. You can make a long bed into a short bed this way. Cut behind the cab though. Make sure your wheels are positioned in the center of the bed wheel wells when you measure.

[Strodder]

BTW Thanks everybody for the complements on my shop. I walk 90 ft to work from my back yard. I love it.



The floor still looks good here. The more work I do the more the floor gets screwed up. OH WELL.



Good thing I walk to work. I wouldn't have made it if I had to drive.....

[protrash64]

I have to say 'nice shop' also. Thats cool how the frames fit together like they did. Nice work.

[joe231]

you do restos/customs for a living?

[ChiefRocka]

Intersting build you got going...I like your plans.

Where abouts is Hesperia ?? Obviously up North some where !!

I was told it's snowing in Nevada City/Grass Valley area. Thats where my wifes grandmother lives.

Curious as to why you wanted leafs, if your gonna bag it ??

[Strodder]

Originally Posted by protrash64

I have to say 'nice shop' also. Thats cool how the frames fit together like they did. Nice work.

Thanks. I glade I decided to do it this way. It's the strongest part of the frame.

[Strodder]

Originally Posted by joe231

you do restos/customs for a living?

Yes if you call it a living....I'm supposed to be retired...haha

[Strodder]

Originally Posted by ChiefRocka

Intersting build you got going...I like your plans.

Where abouts is Hesperia ?? Obviously up North some where !!

I was told it's snowing in Nevada City/Grass Valley area. Thats where my wifes grandmother lives.

Curious as to why you wanted leafs, if your gonna bag it ??

Hesperia is off the 15 fwy just north of San Bernardino. Were at 3,400 foot level.

I don't care about the leafs that much. I like the way the frame rails look. There better to fab a notch. But for now I might leave the leafs. Also the 73 is a 1/2 ton with a 5 lug 12 bolt posi. One more reason is I'm using the 73 short step side bed.

Anybody want to buy the Dana that came out of the 65 8 lug 3/4 ton?

[Strodder]

Here's the latest. I finished welding up the rest of the frame after lifting it up on the lift (note: I LOVE THAT LIFT) Then cutting the back of the cab so it will fit level with the frame.
This is what the cab looked like before I cut it.



This is after




Now it sits level. I'll mount the 65 side cab mounts so I can keep the cab nice and low.

[Strodder]

Next I swapped the 73 front 1/2 ton cross member with the suspension. Witch included the 2 1/2" dropped spindles, and disc brakes.



While the cross member was off I cleaned up & painted the frame, and cross member where it bolted on the frame,

[Strodder]

It's NOW officially a 1965 C-10 Short Bed. Even though it's half a 73

[joe231]

nice work!!!

[LILRED66]

Strodder:

I just read through your build thread from start to finish. Very nice, indeed. I like what you are doing. Keep us posted on your progress and thanks for sharing the numerous photos. I'll stay tuned in for this one.

[Strodder]

I cleaned up the Cragar SS wheels that came with the 73. They look pretty good. Now I need to find one 15x8 with a 4 1/2" back spacing, Or maybe I have to find 2.
This is the 16X8 in the rear.

This is the only good 15" one in the front


They look really good. Better than I expected.