Frame Shortening Questions

[dtkarst]

Does anyone have any clue at all as to where a frame would need to be cut on a 63 LWB, in the proper place that is, to make a long bed to a short? I have the long bed stripped down to the frame and I am waiting for my brothers 63 shortbed to get to that point so i can set them next to each other and take a look. Just seeing what it would be like from people who have more knowledge on it. Thanks

[Captainfab]

I like to cut the frame just a little forward of the rear cab mount. Of course you will have to move the rear cab mount rearward after the frame is shortend.

Be sure you get good penetration with your welds, and fishplate the joint properly. You don't want that coming apart on you.

[markeb01]

Trucks TV ran a segment in 2007 that show exactly how to do this, both to the frame and the fleetside bed. You can watch it on Amazon.com for $1.99, and save it to your hard drive. Following is the link. It's episode 10 dated 5/27/2007, titled 1/2 a C-10.

Amazon.com: Trucks!: Season 2007, Episode 1...

[dtkarst]

For what year of a pickup?

[SCOTI]

Originally Posted by dtkarst

Does anyone have any clue at all as to where a frame would need to be cut, in the proper place that is, to make a long bed to a short? I have the long bed stripped down to the frame and I am waiting for my brothers shortbed to get to that point so i can set them next to each other and take a look. Just seeing what it would be like from people who have more knowledge on it. Thanks

Krue FAQ index list in the FAQ section. This is how I did mine....

http://67-72chevytrucks.com/vboard/s...d.php?t=123624

[markeb01]

Thanks for sharing that thread. In all the earlier threads I've seen on this topic I've never seen that one mentioned before. It's the most detailed and comprehensive how-to I've read in a long time.

[SCOTI]

Originally Posted by markeb01

Thanks for sharing that thread. In all the earlier threads I've seen on this topic I've never seen that one mentioned before. It's the most detailed and comprehensive how-to I've read in a long time.

It sure is.

I did things a little differently, but if you look through the early pages of my build, you can see how easy it was to duplicate. I simply printed off that thread/post, put the pages into a binder, & used it as my 'how-to' guide to make sure I didn't screw things up.

[dtkarst]

Good work on that frame. But would that be the same for a 63? If it is, that is basically like a play by play haha

[jocko]

Originally Posted by markeb01

Trucks TV ran a segment in 2007 that show exactly how to do this, both to the frame and the fleetside bed. You can watch it on Amazon.com for $1.99, and save it to your hard drive. Following is the link. It's episode 10 dated 5/27/2007, titled 1/2 a C-10.

Amazon.com: Trucks!: Season 2007, Episode 1 "2007 Silverado buildup": Video On Demand

Quick add-on - that TRUCKS series (i.e. ALL the episodes) was really, really good. And I've actually asked the powerblock crowd when/if they are ever gonna release a start to finish DVD for that build like they have for all the other trucks and cars they've built. They wrote back and said it would be out sometime this year. I'll buy it!

[SCOTI]

Originally Posted by dtkarst

Good work on that frame. But would that be the same for a 63? If it is, that is basically like a play by play haha

Yep, same thing.

[LostMy65]

Someday I think I'd like to make a medium bed.
That is, I'd like to shorten a fleetside bed to 7 foot.
I don't know.... I sometimes think the fleetside longbeds look a little too long, and the fleetside shortbeds look a little too short.
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[argonaut]

Cut a 12" section out. The spot directly underneath the cab has the least stress on it, so the best place to put a joint. Grind the edges of the weld joint almost to a point so that you are welding back into a V on both sides. Use the appropriate stick, TIG or Flux Core welder with good heat and penetration. Make the passes slow and wide for good coverage. The strongest joint would be to leave the weld bead on the outside, and fish plate the inside. You want the fish plate to be notched at each end like so: >< that way you don't create high stress points in your frame.

Although, if this is a just a street cruiser, and not towing, hauling, racing or off-roading, then all of this is probably even overkill. You could just weld the joint and be done with it.

There are some photos of how I did mine in my 4x4 build thread. Although I made the cut behind the read cab mount because the 4x4 frame tapers and gets taller underneath the cab.

[LostMy65]

Has anyone used these?
https://www.summitracing.com/parts/c...2rfs/overview/

[rvrfoot]

I cut my frame.

[DLW]

Originally Posted by LostMy65

Has anyone used these?
https://www.summitracing.com/parts/c...2rfs/overview/

I have those sitting in the garage. They fit inside the frame so depending on where you cut the frame will determine if anything is in the way of using them. For me I would need to do some trimming on my PB trailing arm cross-member mounts, where they bolt to the frame. They are stout pieces though and would work nicely for some extra strengthening.

[LostMy65]

Originally Posted by DLW

I have those sitting in the garage. They fit inside the frame so depending on where you cut the frame will determine if anything is in the way of using them. For me I would need to do some trimming on my PB trailing arm cross-member mounts, where they bolt to the frame. They are stout pieces though and would work nicely for some extra strengthening.

Thanks, I'm shortening a longbed frame, and I just wanted a little extra security for my welds.

[Captainfab]

In the past, I just cut a piece of 10ga to the shape I wanted and stitch welded it to the inside of the web of the frame.

[rvrfoot]

Brothers sells a kit that i got.

[LostMy65]

I got my ccp stiffeners from summit today.
Very tight fit. So tight, I was at first concerned.
But they fit so tight, I had to tap them in with a hammer.
They are pretty heavy duty too.
Now to cut a perfectly good longbed frame in half.

[rvrfoot]

No problem cut away. I did mine.

[hotrodder]

I think the medium frame is a great idea! Some one needs to do that. Like they say "If you aren't the lead dog the scenery never changes"

[LostMy65]

Originally Posted by hotrodder

I think the medium frame is a great idea! Some one needs to do that. Like they say "If you aren't the lead dog the scenery never changes"

http://www.67-72chevytrucks.com/vboa...d.php?t=594691

[rvrfoot]

I shorten mine i will see if i can find the pictures.