help has anyone shortened a 60-62 frame
 

I'm currently building a 61 Apache 10 and it is a long bed and Im making it into a short bed, but I'm not shore on how to shorten the frame, and I was wondering if anyone Has ever shortened the frame on a 1960-1962 Chevy before. If so could you post some pictures. And maybe some measurements and show were to cut. Thanks

Colin

Re: help has anyone shortened a 60-62 frame
 

One more thing do you have to modify the X-frame, and if so can you post pics and give measurements and show were to cut. Thanks

Colin

Re: help has anyone shortened a 60-62 frame
 

You beat me to it. I was going to start a thread today with question for my 62 long fleet. I'll stay tuned if you get an answer.

Good luck on your project!

Re: help has anyone shortened a 60-62 frame
 

I have not shortened a '60-'62 frame but I have looked at what it would take and decided it would be way too much work. Yes the big X-member in the middle will have to be either shortened or the entire assembly moved forward. This is one of the few times I would recommend changing the frame to a '63-'72 frame. Even if you had to shorten a long wheelbase frame. If you do change frames make sure you do it so as to be legal in your state.

Re: help has anyone shortened a 60-62 frame
 

Thanks for the the info. But right now with my budget I cant really afford to buy a new frame. But I'm not afraid to have to put a lot of time and effort into shortening the frame.

Colin

Re: help has anyone shortened a 60-62 frame
 

does anyone know the differences between a short bed frame and long bed frame.

Re: help has anyone shortened a 60-62 frame
 

good luck finding any info on this for our frames,..ive looked and havnt seen anything yet,..just a bunch of people asking the same thing,...ive been looking into doing this on my rig without swapping to another frame...im thinking I may just cut the x completely out then shorten as needed and then build in another x after its all done with some 2x4 tube

Re: help has anyone shortened a 60-62 frame
 

Here's a 66 frame on CL that is reasonable (not mine)
http://kansascity.craigslist.org/pts/4925103666.html

Re: help has anyone shortened a 60-62 frame
 

I think you would have to completely remove the X-member, and then shorten the frame. I don't know for sure if the X-member for a short bed is shorter than the X-member for a longbed, but I'm thinking it is. In this case, you will have to either modify and shorten the X-member or fabricate something new as joe dirt mentioned.

Re: help has anyone shortened a 60-62 frame
 

ya you would need to brace framerails and cut out the factory x and then make your cuts to the frame where needed for the shortening process,..then when its all buttoned up just fab up your own x frame and weld it up,,,for my truck I will only need to redo just the front portion of my x as the rear is already gone from my big notch...essentially I just need 2 chunks of rail that will support my carrior bearing

Re: help has anyone shortened a 60-62 frame
 

For those in the future who end up here via Google, I recent completed shortening mine, keeping the X, and looking factory:

How To Shorten a 60-62 C10 Frame

Yes, it's a lot of work.