help has anyone shortened a 60-62 frame

[ColinsChopShop]

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

[ColinsChopShop]

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

[53Sparky]

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!

[Captainfab]

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.

[ColinsChopShop]

Originally Posted by Captainfab

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.

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

[ColinsChopShop]

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

[joe dirt]

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

[53lowdown]

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

Originally Posted by ColinsChopShop

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

[Captainfab]

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.

[joe dirt]

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

[SkinnyG]

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.