Which frame should I use - The 1947 - Present Chevrolet & GMC Truck Message Board Network

Blue85 · 06-14-2004, 03:07 AM

Well i finally decided I am just going to cut my frame to make a shortbox, but I have 2 different frames, one is a 1/2ton with coils out back, the other is a 3/4ton with leafs, I want to put a 2/4 drop on the truck. Which frame do you guys think I should use for the build???

Woody · 06-14-2004, 07:44 AM

I think the 1/2 ton frame would be cheaper to lower. It will give you a better smoother ride also.

Tx Firefighter · 06-14-2004, 07:58 AM

I don't know where you are, but I'm in North Texas and I'll sell you a factory short bed half ton frame way cheaper and easier than you can shorten one for.

<HINT> fill out your location by your screen name

LooseCannon · 06-14-2004, 08:59 PM

Quote:

I don't know where you are, but I'm in North Texas and I'll sell you a factory short bed half ton frame way cheaper and easier than you can shorten one for.

How much for a shorty frame?

Tx Firefighter · 06-14-2004, 09:45 PM

68 truck. short wide bed, on a rolling chassis......200 bucks

Basically, no front clip or engine/ trans

**67 cst swb** · 06-15-2004, 04:44 PM

I would shorten' the 3/4 ton frame. leaf springs can be lowered just as easy if not easier (depending on your location/check out your semi or larger truck repair places) and if you going to upgrade to discs up front, you have to change everything that 3/4 ton anyway. Unless your going for a stock look/stock ride height. So, maybe I should say it this way.

option A) shorten' the 3/4 ton leaf spring frame, lower it using dearched
springs or buy a rear "leaf spring" lowering kit. and then get a set
of lowered spindles and new springs for the front.
or
option B) shorten' the 1/2 coil frame, assuming it already has disc brakes
and your keeping the stock ride height.
or
option C) check with people to see if one or the other is more valuable or
sellable and shorten' the other one.

...Just My Opinion...

FRENCHBLUE72 · 06-15-2004, 04:47 PM

TX too bad I was not closer....... I would use the 1/2 ton personnally

glock35ipsc · 06-15-2004, 05:09 PM

I am doing the exact same thing. I am shortening a LWB coil spring frame. Cheap and easy!

Personally, if I had your choice, I would use the coil spring frame. One, for the ride, and two because you have more room for bigger tires. In other words, there are no leaf springs in the way between the back of the tire and the frame. With the coil spring frame, that extra space can be filled with tire!

And three, lowering coils are cheap!

silvertonguedevil · 06-15-2004, 05:28 PM

1/2 Ton coil spring is my vote

Blue85 · 06-15-2004, 07:32 PM

yeah i think i am going to use the 1/2 ton frame, its already got disc brake and 5 lug

06-14-2004, 03:07 AM	#1
Blue85 Oilfield Trash Join Date: Sep 2003 Location: Raymore, Sk, Canada, Earth Posts: 3,170	Which frame should I use Well i finally decided I am just going to cut my frame to make a shortbox, but I have 2 different frames, one is a 1/2ton with coils out back, the other is a 3/4ton with leafs, I want to put a 2/4 drop on the truck. Which frame do you guys think I should use for the build??? __________________ 14 Dodge 3500 Mega Cab 08 Dodge 3500 Mega Cab 87 Chev 3+3 4x4 80 GMC K10 High Sierra bone stock 70 Chevelle 350SS long term project 68 GMC 3ton Grain Truck/Garbage wagon 50 Pontiac 2 Door Coupe Project "I've got a shotgun rifle and a 4 wheel drive and a country boy can survive" Hank Jr.

06-14-2004, 07:58 AM	#3
Tx Firefighter Watch out for your cornhole ! Join Date: Jun 2003 Location: Azle, Texas Posts: 14,162	I don't know where you are, but I'm in North Texas and I'll sell you a factory short bed half ton frame way cheaper and easier than you can shorten one for. <HINT> fill out your location by your screen name __________________ I'm on the Instagram- @Gearhead_Kevin

06-14-2004, 09:45 PM	#5
Tx Firefighter Watch out for your cornhole ! Join Date: Jun 2003 Location: Azle, Texas Posts: 14,162	68 truck. short wide bed, on a rolling chassis......200 bucks Basically, no front clip or engine/ trans __________________ I'm on the Instagram- @Gearhead_Kevin

06-15-2004, 04:44 PM	#6
67 cst swb Senior Member Join Date: Nov 2001 Location: Rapid City, SD Posts: 2,281	my opinion... I would shorten' the 3/4 ton frame. leaf springs can be lowered just as easy if not easier (depending on your location/check out your semi or larger truck repair places) and if you going to upgrade to discs up front, you have to change everything that 3/4 ton anyway. Unless your going for a stock look/stock ride height. So, maybe I should say it this way. option A) shorten' the 3/4 ton leaf spring frame, lower it using dearched springs or buy a rear "leaf spring" lowering kit. and then get a set of lowered spindles and new springs for the front. or option B) shorten' the 1/2 coil frame, assuming it already has disc brakes and your keeping the stock ride height. or option C) check with people to see if one or the other is more valuable or sellable and shorten' the other one. ...Just My Opinion... __________________ My Trucks: 1967 Chevrolet Short Wide Box 327 TH350 9" w/3.90 gears paint will be White - Current Project 1967 Chevrolet Custom LWB 283 TH400 3.73 Posi, no-AC, no-PS, no-PB, bench-seat, small-window - mostly orig driver 1967 Chevrolet CST LWB originally a 327 TH400 3.73 Posi AC PS PB, had Buddy Buckets, Small Window - parts truck 1967 Chevrolet CST LWB, 283 MT 3.73 had Buddy Buckets, Panoramic Window - parts truck 2001 Chevrolet 3500 2WD Crew Cab Dually 8.1L Allison White

06-15-2004, 05:09 PM	#8
glock35ipsc Next project: 1970 K10 Join Date: Feb 2004 Location: Fort Collins, Colo 80524 Posts: 6,684	I am doing the exact same thing. I am shortening a LWB coil spring frame. Cheap and easy! Personally, if I had your choice, I would use the coil spring frame. One, for the ride, and two because you have more room for bigger tires. In other words, there are no leaf springs in the way between the back of the tire and the frame. With the coil spring frame, that extra space can be filled with tire! And three, lowering coils are cheap! __________________ *Bob* 1970 Chevy K10 LWB "Goldie" 350/TH350 *next project!!* 1981 Chevy C10 LWB 355/TH350 - My son's truck LS SWAP FORUM! Tons of LS swap info here! PLEASE CLICK HERE TO SUPPORT THE GREATEST BOARD ON THE NET! CLICK HERE FOR THE FAQ INDEX by KRUE

06-14-2004, 07:44 AM	#2
Woody Registered User Join Date: Feb 2000 Location: Georgetown, KY, USA Posts: 631	I think the 1/2 ton frame would be cheaper to lower. It will give you a better smoother ride also.

06-15-2004, 04:47 PM	#7
FRENCHBLUE72 PROJECT 7DEUCE Join Date: Dec 2002 Location: GRANTS PASS OR Posts: 21,606	TX too bad I was not closer....... I would use the 1/2 ton personnally

06-15-2004, 05:28 PM	#9
silvertonguedevil Senior Member Join Date: May 2004 Location: Seaside, Oregon Posts: 1,789	1/2 Ton coil spring is my vote __________________ -Greg My Chevy trucks, past and present: 1962 C10 SB Fleetside 1964 C10 LB Fleetside BBW 1966 C10 SB Fleetside 1966 C10 SB Fleetside BBW 1968 C10 SB Fleetside 1971 C10 LB Fleetside 1971 C10 SB Fleetside 1972 C10 SB Fleetside Cheyenne 1972 C10 SB Fleetside Cheyenne Super 1972 C10 LB Fleetside Cheyenne Super 1974 C20 Cheyenne 1979 K5 Blazer Cheyenne 1982 K10 SB Fleetside Custom Deluxe 1982 K10 SB Fleetside Scottsdale 1986 C10 SB Fleetside Silverado 2008 Silverado 1500 4x4

06-15-2004, 07:32 PM	#10
Blue85 Oilfield Trash Join Date: Sep 2003 Location: Raymore, Sk, Canada, Earth Posts: 3,170	yeah i think i am going to use the 1/2 ton frame, its already got disc brake and 5 lug __________________ 14 Dodge 3500 Mega Cab 08 Dodge 3500 Mega Cab 87 Chev 3+3 4x4 80 GMC K10 High Sierra bone stock 70 Chevelle 350SS long term project 68 GMC 3ton Grain Truck/Garbage wagon 50 Pontiac 2 Door Coupe Project "I've got a shotgun rifle and a 4 wheel drive and a country boy can survive" Hank Jr.



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