lwb to swb chop?
 

Does any one know how many inches im going to cut off my lwb to make it a short box and what length my new driveshaft is going to have to be? any help here would be greatly appreciated.

too bad you are so far away I have 3 short frames!

Look in the faq submissions page 3 by glock35ipsc; excellent thread with good pics, I'm going to be referring to this a lot when I get started on shortening my '72 to a s.w.b.-if I can ever find the time that is.......

The April 2003 issue of Custom Classic Trucks they did a article on shortening a 67-72 truck from longbox to shortbox. (Pages 30-35) They cut 8 inches off the back of the frame and then 12 inches was taken out of the frame under the cab area and it was then reinforced and welded back up.

i think i'll just sell the long frame and buy short i found one around town for 350cdn it needs a little lovin but with new cab mount its about the same cond i got now. can i use my old cab mounts? I dont like the idea of cutting my chevys spine

Its possible to use the old cab mounts depending on the condition they are in but is wise to just replace them if they are old and broken down. If you want the article PM your address to me and I will photo copy the article from CCT and send it up to you.

I am in Uxbridge. Just south of you. Do you know a guy up there Name Terry ?

I cut my frame down 12" from under the cab and 6" off the back. I took 8" off but I would like there to be more under the rear sill of ther box.
Now that it's done I dont even think it was a long box I tend to forget.

Here is a pic of the finished truck.

thanx for the info , sweet ride! like your mirrors. I do know terry me and him swap parts all the time. small world.

how did your gas tank relocate go? got any pics, wheres your filler.

Heh, I have 2 SWB frames for sale.

One that's been blasted and treated with a 4/6 drop installed with new kunckles, stainess brake lines and hoses and aluminum fuel line.

now your just teasing, how can you get those frames here and how much?

Shipping can be easily accomplished by Amtrak rail. They will handle up to 1500lbs.

Or you could drive :)

I am no tease BTW. I was building this until I found another vehicle that's in slightly more together.

I have a cab sitting in primer, another cab that needs love, two very solid short bed frames, 2 very good SWB fleetsides, a 402 BBC (both frames are BBC btw), a th400, 2 very solid doors, a 67 front clip, a 71 front clip. We could put a truck together in about 4 hours that would tow the rest back :)

For anyone interested. Here's a frame chop article.

I plan to do it to my Suburban when the '61 is done. Less work than a frame swap IMO.

That is the same article that was in Custom Classic Trucks.

what would you do in my situation, working on my lwb buy the other swb frame for 300 or chop my lwb, i dont plan on selling the truck so value is not an issue. there both roughly the same condition rolling chassis both need brake and line work. help me figure out my thankgiving weekend .

just get the swb frame. unless you are a good welder modding the lwb frame could possible be unsafe. its a ton easier to start with one that you know is right rather than cutting welding measuring a million times etc

I would like to see the frames But the short frame would get the project going faster. Are they rolling ? $300 is not too bad.

I have a 20 gal fuel cell. Filled thru a stainless filler in the bed floor. I have a ECE rear crossmember.


I have removed the mirriors from my truck now all they are is Peep mirrors.. They were totally useless. I guess the name should have told me that.

Ther's your answer. If you have good fab skills and can weld properly mod your LWB frame. If your average Joe hotrodder with minimium or no welding skills swap frames..... :cool:

thanx for all the help, i'll pickup my new chassis tonight if i have time. I think i'll save the cutting for the pros. anyone need a lwb frame?lol