A different approach to a LWB to SWB conversion

[EARNHARDT#3]

I can't remember what show it was (modern marvels or how it's made...one of those) but they showed a HUGE earth mover dump truck. Like big enough to fit 40 pickups in its bed. The frame was welded together from the factory. Each joint had 100's of welds that made up a huge gap (like a foot wide beveled gap). Then when it was done they used the ultrasound thing to check it just like the OP was talking about. If they can use that technique for that big monster it sure as hell is good enough for a C20.

[Dustmaker65]

Very Nice Tony!

Wife made a great decision

[WarMonger]

Build is going good. You are a good welder/fabricator. Keep us posted on the bed.

[Ft.ValloniaStreaker]

If you guys really need something to worry about...worry about all the guys buying these trucks hacked up, rotted out and painted up like a show truck. Some people know what there doing....some think they do, and even their better off than the next bunch...the clueless with cash. That's the people i worry about driving beside me on the road. Carry on Sir!.....as will the rest of us.

[catch2otwo]

imo, there is nothing wrong with all the critiquing. If not one bothered to question, how would you learn anything. Never good to just blindly follow, no matter how much experience the guy has.

Good thread, looking forward to more progress.

[msgross]

nice work...

[72 tigger]

You obviously know what you're doing- (nice job on the COE too!). All the welding drama is entertaining, but I'm excited to see how you do the rear also. Thanks for sharing with us!

[CarterD2015]

I think that the thread title says it all. "A DIFFERENT approach...." Different is just that, different. No claims of being better or worse. It is enlightening to see another person's approach to a common task. I look forward to the rest of the build.

[Andy4639]

36 years in the nuclear construction area and as a fitter I have seen every type of weld there is and by all means this guy knows what he is talking about. I'm glad to see him doing it this way. There is more than one way to skin a cat as they say!

[NTIMID8R]

Very nice work Tony...

For all the haters: read the last sentence in Tony's post #26.

PLEASE keep posting pics!!!, want to see this to the end...

[no1udknow]

I shortened my frame the other way, by cutting the long straight section under the cab. The reason most guys do it there is so they dont have to risk messing with the trailing arm geometry. when you cut it behind the cab you either have to move the trailing arm x-member forward, or shorten the trailing arms (horrible idea). the reason a pen weld is not suggested for these frames is that the metal is fairly soft, and the weld is very hard which makes it rigid and is prone to cracking. Most frames will either do a diagonal cut or an s cut like mine. if you have a vertical pen weld, I would definitely box the frame to spread the stress away from the weld . Having done mine now, i wish I would have taken your approach on the bed. lining up and welding the entire bed section was a pain.

[cooperhw]

I have shortened more than a couple of these frames but am no way anywhere close to any of these professional welders.
Will this frame fail, more than likely not. Looks fine to me.
Would I plate it anyway, H*ll yes. Why not. If you don't want it to be seen fish plate the inside.

Really though, most of these trucks lead somewhat of a pampered life once they end up in our hands. We use our Diesels for heavy hauling.

OP, carry on sir, you are doing a fine job.

Those pointing out potential weakness in the frame butt weld I agree. For most guys (me included) this method should not be used. Leave it alone (or to the professionals) and use a step notch. I even plate these. Cheap & easy insurance for me.

[65standard]

As I said 95% will not like my welded frame. Stay tuned for the rest of the process. I think 95% will like my bed shortening technique since I eliminate over 20' of weld.

[swamp rat]

Originally Posted by 65standard

As I said 95% will not like my welded frame. Stay tuned for the rest of the process. I think 95% will like my bed shortening technique since I eliminate over 20' of weld.

Thanks for comming back!

[no1udknow]

Originally Posted by 65standard

As I said 95% will not like my welded frame. Stay tuned for the rest of the process. I think 95% will like my bed shortening technique since I eliminate over 20' of weld.

I already like the way you did the front of the box, that is genius. I wish I had seen it before trying to cut and weld mine.... would have saved me a lot of grinding and bondo

[lolife99]

Looking forward to the bed work!

[67ChevyRedneck]

Originally Posted by lolife99

Looking forward to the bed work!

I keep checking in and it's more bickering, I keep hoping for new pics!

(and now someone else will check in hoping to see progress and see my post, and be like... a-hole...)

[jjzepplin]

Me too. I have been a lot of places and seen a lot of things. BLAH BLAH... but your work here is very nice and don't let it discourage you in any way this talk about the frame. If it cracks then you can plate it.

[Dads79GMC]

I don't drop by the 67-72 forum very often, but I'm glad i did, this is great work!!!! I like seeing another approach. Anxious to see how you tackle the rest of the box side? Mike

[shawno72]

Me too. Let the bed work commense

[BigMike]

I love outside the box thinking. You don't see it much because of the many builders before us thinking outside the box. Many of those older ideas have become the norm. Who knows, maybe in another 10-20 years 65standard's way will be the norm? Can't wait to see more.

[simplepeddler]

mad skills for sure

[orngsikL]

Man!!! That is nice. I always thought there was a better way to do this. Very nice work!
I would still add fish plates, that's just me.

[ls1nova71]

I'm in for how he does the rear of the bed, but I'm thinking this is where the original paint is going to get burned a bit...

[dubds10]

Nice work and actually done by a certified welder not a backyard hack with no tickets lol Lots of pro welders/fabricators here who know what they're doing and it's great to see the work when completed and actually know the vehicle is safe. Unfortunately I bet only 25% of the trucks on the road today that are being built are done by certified welder/fabricators who really know what the hell they are doing. It's scary looking at airbagged or chopped up trucks at car shows and thinking they actually drive that on the highway when you can visibly see how bad the welds are or the alignment of everything.

This is actually a great method of doing it if you want to hide the fact it's a chopped down LWB from unsuspecting buyers, but I doubt many of the guys chopping LWBs could even pull something like this off anyways lol Can't wait to see how the bed turns out overall.