How do you make a SWB ot a LBW? - The 1947 - Present Chevrolet & GMC Truck Message Board Network

72MARIO · 03-20-2002, 03:57 PM

Could anyone tell me all I need to know about how to shorten my frame what rod to use where to cut and how much I would like to do it on friday . And can i run a one piece drive shaft ? mmthis might help My truck is a leaf sprung truck which I have ordered a pair of drop shackles from Bills Truck Shop that will get me down 2" .I also have a 700R from a 85 Chevy van.

Thanks ...

ebfabman · 03-20-2002, 04:15 PM

See if this helps
http://67-72chevytrucks.com/board/ub...ML/019023.html

this may be of some value also
http://67-72chevytrucks.com/board/ub...ML/019529.html

[This message has been edited by ebfabman (edited March 20, 2002).]

72MARIO · 03-20-2002, 04:24 PM

Thanks that helps tons and extra info would be great .

ebfabman · 03-20-2002, 04:49 PM

what ever you want to know just ask, however you say your truck is a leaf rear, mine is a coil, but I still think to shorten it, 12 inches come out of the area under the cab. The rear cab mounts have to be moved back the same amount. on mine, 8 inches also came off the very rear of the frame, where the bumper bolts. I think you have to do this too.
maybe you'll hear from someone who has shortened a leaf spring truck.

BTW, I have a SWB rolling chassis rear leaf for sale in North Carolina, Probably a ways from you, but just thought I'd mention it

[This message has been edited by ebfabman (edited March 20, 2002).]

72MARIO · 03-20-2002, 05:03 PM

you are pretty far from me I live in Ontairo
Canada . Anyways my frame is already sandblasted and ready for primer once I shorten my frame. I took everything off even stuff that was rivited on . thanks for the help hope to start friday and have it primed and painter by sunday. not too sure if it dooable.

72chevyLWB · 03-20-2002, 06:57 PM

I used a 1 piece driveshaft off a 73-87 chevy pickup on my 72. I had the engine in the forward most holes on the frame and a turbo 400. Also will work with the 700R4 which I have now. I have a longbox and I took the shaft off a longbox too.

------------------
72 Chevy C/10
87 Chevy Silverado 4X4
www.geocities.com/chevylwb/chevylwb.html
Aberdeen South Dakota

72MARIO · 03-20-2002, 07:09 PM

It would be really cool if anyone else could help me out I dont want to cut too much off my frame . hope to have my uncle who is a welder come and cut and weld it up tommorow. If i can get everything all marked out and ready tonight thanks for all you help. Mario

704x4 · 03-20-2002, 07:24 PM

just make sure to diamond plate it
i shortened my frame and we didn't even over lap it we just butt welded it and then diamond plated it and it's been fine for a couple of years now and its in a 4x4
hope this helps i'm not saying not to over lap it im just saying to make sure you plate it

*Fast68Chevy* · 03-20-2002, 07:57 PM

best thing you could do is find soem C channel that can fit over the outside of the frame rail where you butt the ends together, this is how conversion companies welded up the trucks they modified, and they lasted all these years with no problems

that way the frame cant bow down towards ground when the ends are inside that channel

good luck

72MARIO · 03-20-2002, 08:11 PM

Hey do you have to move the hanger bearing crossmember back? or will the cab sit high enough to clear the high point of the crossmember? Thanks !

69 longhorn · 03-20-2002, 08:16 PM

72Mario,you need 12" out of the middle,& 8 " off the back end. I have straight cut them,then plated & boxed.....but i have to say that i really liked the way ebfabman did his.........very slick! .....69 longhorn.

REPO1 · 03-27-2002, 07:46 PM

Sorry to dig this back up, but I want to know something for sure.

Does the 12" have to come out from under the cab? Can it be taken out just behind the cab, so the cab wouldn't have to be removed?

Any thought on this?

Reid

------------------
Sylvan Lake, Alberta, Canada

1970 Chevy C20 Custom Camper
#s matching 402BB Turbo 400 trans.
Air conditioning, power steering, manual brakes.
73,600 Original Miles!!

69 longhorn · 03-27-2002, 08:47 PM

I think you can do that,one reason for cutting a coil truck under the cab is to keep from moving the crossmember that the trailing arms are hooked to. Good luck....69 longhorn.

ebfabman · 03-27-2002, 08:58 PM

It has to be taken from under the cab. If you try to take the 12 inches from behind the cab, you will have to move the rear trailing arm cross member, and shorten the trailing arms.

the rear trailing arms are the same swb and lwb

If you put swb and lwb frames side by side, you will see the difference is the 12 inches shorter under the cab. you will also see the rear cab mounts will have to be moved back 12 inches. Also the swb frame is 8 inches shorter at the very back where the rear bumper bolts.

REPO1 · 03-27-2002, 09:05 PM

So that the reason? For the trailing arms?

My truck has leaf spring suspension.

What about the raised bed mounts. I see there are 2 on the longbed, does the front one usually get removed also on a conversion?

Reid

ebfabman · 03-27-2002, 09:14 PM

REPO1, yes you are right, the front most bed mount has to be removed.

even on a leaf frame it has to be taken from under the cab because of the curve of the frame.

REPO1 · 03-27-2002, 09:24 PM

Ok, I was under it looking. I don't have a tape measure with me, so I couldn't take any measurements. It did look tight to try and cut behind the cab. I was just hoping to save some time.

03-20-2002, 03:57 PM	#1
72MARIO Registered User Join Date: Nov 2000 Location: Huntsville Ontario Canada Posts: 4,051	How do you make a SWB ot a LBW? Could anyone tell me all I need to know about how to shorten my frame what rod to use where to cut and how much I would like to do it on friday . And can i run a one piece drive shaft ? mmthis might help My truck is a leaf sprung truck which I have ordered a pair of drop shackles from Bills Truck Shop that will get me down 2" .I also have a 700R from a 85 Chevy van. Thanks ... __________________ 1968 Suburban numbers matching all original truck now equipped with 6.0/4L80 on Accuair http://67-72chevytrucks.com/vboard/s...d.php?t=625017 1967 C/20 6.0/4L80 Roofing Truck 1990 V2500 Suburban "Plow Truck" 2005 TAHOE DD

03-20-2002, 04:24 PM	#3
72MARIO Registered User Join Date: Nov 2000 Location: Huntsville Ontario Canada Posts: 4,051	Thanks that helps tons and extra info would be great . __________________ 1968 Suburban numbers matching all original truck now equipped with 6.0/4L80 on Accuair http://67-72chevytrucks.com/vboard/s...d.php?t=625017 1967 C/20 6.0/4L80 Roofing Truck 1990 V2500 Suburban "Plow Truck" 2005 TAHOE DD

03-20-2002, 05:03 PM	#5
72MARIO Registered User Join Date: Nov 2000 Location: Huntsville Ontario Canada Posts: 4,051	you are pretty far from me I live in Ontairo Canada . Anyways my frame is already sandblasted and ready for primer once I shorten my frame. I took everything off even stuff that was rivited on . thanks for the help hope to start friday and have it primed and painter by sunday. not too sure if it dooable. __________________ 1968 Suburban numbers matching all original truck now equipped with 6.0/4L80 on Accuair http://67-72chevytrucks.com/vboard/s...d.php?t=625017 1967 C/20 6.0/4L80 Roofing Truck 1990 V2500 Suburban "Plow Truck" 2005 TAHOE DD

03-20-2002, 06:57 PM	#6
72chevyLWB Got 20's???? Join Date: Oct 2001 Location: Aberdeen SD Posts: 1,451	I used a 1 piece driveshaft off a 73-87 chevy pickup on my 72. I had the engine in the forward most holes on the frame and a turbo 400. Also will work with the 700R4 which I have now. I have a longbox and I took the shaft off a longbox too. ------------------ 72 Chevy C/10 87 Chevy Silverado 4X4 www.geocities.com/chevylwb/chevylwb.html Aberdeen South Dakota __________________ 99 Silverado Ex-Cab 2wd, Bagged&WhippleCharged 02 Sierra Ex-Cab 4wd 2500 HD The 72 went down the road.

03-20-2002, 07:09 PM	#7
72MARIO Registered User Join Date: Nov 2000 Location: Huntsville Ontario Canada Posts: 4,051	It would be really cool if anyone else could help me out I dont want to cut too much off my frame . hope to have my uncle who is a welder come and cut and weld it up tommorow. If i can get everything all marked out and ready tonight thanks for all you help. Mario __________________ 1968 Suburban numbers matching all original truck now equipped with 6.0/4L80 on Accuair http://67-72chevytrucks.com/vboard/s...d.php?t=625017 1967 C/20 6.0/4L80 Roofing Truck 1990 V2500 Suburban "Plow Truck" 2005 TAHOE DD

03-20-2002, 04:15 PM	#2
ebfabman Registered User Join Date: Nov 2001 Location: Concord, NC Posts: 2,488	See if this helps http://67-72chevytrucks.com/board/ub...ML/019023.html this may be of some value also http://67-72chevytrucks.com/board/ub...ML/019529.html [This message has been edited by ebfabman (edited March 20, 2002).]

03-20-2002, 04:49 PM	#4
ebfabman Registered User Join Date: Nov 2001 Location: Concord, NC Posts: 2,488	what ever you want to know just ask, however you say your truck is a leaf rear, mine is a coil, but I still think to shorten it, 12 inches come out of the area under the cab. The rear cab mounts have to be moved back the same amount. on mine, 8 inches also came off the very rear of the frame, where the bumper bolts. I think you have to do this too. maybe you'll hear from someone who has shortened a leaf spring truck. BTW, I have a SWB rolling chassis rear leaf for sale in North Carolina, Probably a ways from you, but just thought I'd mention it [This message has been edited by ebfabman (edited March 20, 2002).]

03-20-2002, 07:24 PM	#8
704x4 Registered User Join Date: Feb 2002 Location: Greene, Iowa Posts: 150	just make sure to diamond plate it i shortened my frame and we didn't even over lap it we just butt welded it and then diamond plated it and it's been fine for a couple of years now and its in a 4x4 hope this helps i'm not saying not to over lap it im just saying to make sure you plate it __________________ 70 3/4 ton 4x4 FOR SALE Greene, IA

03-20-2002, 07:57 PM	#9
Fast68Chevy Account Suspended Join Date: May 2000 Location: IL Posts: 0	best thing you could do is find soem C channel that can fit over the outside of the frame rail where you butt the ends together, this is how conversion companies welded up the trucks they modified, and they lasted all these years with no problems that way the frame cant bow down towards ground when the ends are inside that channel good luck

03-20-2002, 08:11 PM	#10
72MARIO Registered User Join Date: Nov 2000 Location: Huntsville Ontario Canada Posts: 4,051	Hey do you have to move the hanger bearing crossmember back? or will the cab sit high enough to clear the high point of the crossmember? Thanks ! __________________ 1968 Suburban numbers matching all original truck now equipped with 6.0/4L80 on Accuair http://67-72chevytrucks.com/vboard/s...d.php?t=625017 1967 C/20 6.0/4L80 Roofing Truck 1990 V2500 Suburban "Plow Truck" 2005 TAHOE DD

03-20-2002, 08:16 PM	#11
69 longhorn Registered User Join Date: Aug 2001 Location: rock island,il,usa Posts: 5,382	72Mario,you need 12" out of the middle,& 8 " off the back end. I have straight cut them,then plated & boxed.....but i have to say that i really liked the way ebfabman did his.........very slick! .....69 longhorn. __________________ http://community.webshots.com/user/hotrodhorn

03-27-2002, 07:46 PM	#12
REPO1 Shortbox wanna-be. Join Date: Mar 2002 Location: Fort St.John, British Columbia, Canada Posts: 773	Sorry to dig this back up, but I want to know something for sure. Does the 12" have to come out from under the cab? Can it be taken out just behind the cab, so the cab wouldn't have to be removed? Any thought on this? Reid ------------------ Sylvan Lake, Alberta, Canada 1970 Chevy C20 Custom Camper #s matching 402BB Turbo 400 trans. Air conditioning, power steering, manual brakes. 73,600 Original Miles!! __________________ 1970 Chevy C20 Custom Camper 402BB Turbo 400 trans. (Slowly becoming a '70 shortbox 1/2 ton) '71 Camaro SS 402/T400 resto '97 Z28 (11.41@127MPH)

03-27-2002, 08:47 PM	#13
69 longhorn Registered User Join Date: Aug 2001 Location: rock island,il,usa Posts: 5,382	I think you can do that,one reason for cutting a coil truck under the cab is to keep from moving the crossmember that the trailing arms are hooked to. Good luck....69 longhorn. __________________ http://community.webshots.com/user/hotrodhorn

03-27-2002, 08:58 PM	#14
ebfabman Registered User Join Date: Nov 2001 Location: Concord, NC Posts: 2,488	It has to be taken from under the cab. If you try to take the 12 inches from behind the cab, you will have to move the rear trailing arm cross member, and shorten the trailing arms. the rear trailing arms are the same swb and lwb If you put swb and lwb frames side by side, you will see the difference is the 12 inches shorter under the cab. you will also see the rear cab mounts will have to be moved back 12 inches. Also the swb frame is 8 inches shorter at the very back where the rear bumper bolts.

03-27-2002, 09:05 PM	#15
REPO1 Shortbox wanna-be. Join Date: Mar 2002 Location: Fort St.John, British Columbia, Canada Posts: 773	So that the reason? For the trailing arms? My truck has leaf spring suspension. What about the raised bed mounts. I see there are 2 on the longbed, does the front one usually get removed also on a conversion? Reid __________________ 1970 Chevy C20 Custom Camper 402BB Turbo 400 trans. (Slowly becoming a '70 shortbox 1/2 ton) '71 Camaro SS 402/T400 resto '97 Z28 (11.41@127MPH)



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03-27-2002, 09:14 PM	#16
ebfabman Registered User Join Date: Nov 2001 Location: Concord, NC Posts: 2,488	REPO1, yes you are right, the front most bed mount has to be removed. even on a leaf frame it has to be taken from under the cab because of the curve of the frame.

03-27-2002, 09:24 PM	#17
REPO1 Shortbox wanna-be. Join Date: Mar 2002 Location: Fort St.John, British Columbia, Canada Posts: 773	Ok, I was under it looking. I don't have a tape measure with me, so I couldn't take any measurements. It did look tight to try and cut behind the cab. I was just hoping to save some time. __________________ 1970 Chevy C20 Custom Camper 402BB Turbo 400 trans. (Slowly becoming a '70 shortbox 1/2 ton) '71 Camaro SS 402/T400 resto '97 Z28 (11.41@127MPH)

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