help has anyone shortened a 60-62 frame - The 1947 - Present Chevrolet & GMC Truck Message Board Network

ColinsChopShop · 02-25-2015, 08:52 PM

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 · 02-26-2015, 01:45 PM

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 · 02-26-2015, 10:29 PM

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** · 02-27-2015, 01:15 AM

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 · 02-27-2015, 01:32 PM

Quote:

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 · 03-10-2015, 02:14 PM

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

joe dirt · 03-10-2015, 05:04 PM

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 · 03-10-2015, 05:51 PM

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

Quote:

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** · 03-11-2015, 12:39 AM

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.

SkinnyG · 07-29-2019, 07:59 AM

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.

02-25-2015, 08:52 PM	#1
ColinsChopShop Registered User Join Date: Dec 2013 Location: Evansville indiana Posts: 39	help has anyone shortened a 60-62 frame 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

02-26-2015, 01:45 PM	#2
ColinsChopShop Registered User Join Date: Dec 2013 Location: Evansville indiana Posts: 39	Re: help has anyone shortened a 60-62 frame 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

02-26-2015, 10:29 PM	#3
53Sparky Registered User Join Date: Nov 2013 Location: Northglenn, Colorado Posts: 186	Re: help has anyone shortened a 60-62 frame 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! __________________ We'll burn that bridge when we get there My current project: Rust Therapy 62 C10 Numbers 6:24-26

02-27-2015, 01:15 AM	#4
Captainfab 60-66 Nut Join Date: Mar 2007 Location: Coeur d'Alene, Idaho Posts: 23,252	Re: help has anyone shortened a 60-62 frame 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. __________________ Power Steering Box Adapter Plates For Sale HERE Power Brake Booster Adapter Brackets For Sale '63-'66 HERE and '67-'72 HERE and '60-'62 HERE and "60-'62 with clutch HERE Rear Disc Brake Brackets For Sale. Impala SS calipers HERE Camaro Calipers HERE D52 Calipers HERE 6 Lug HERE Hydroboost Mounting Plates HERE

03-10-2015, 02:14 PM	#6
ColinsChopShop Registered User Join Date: Dec 2013 Location: Evansville indiana Posts: 39	Re: help has anyone shortened a 60-62 frame does anyone know the differences between a short bed frame and long bed frame.

03-10-2015, 05:04 PM	#7
joe dirt Registered User Join Date: Dec 2014 Location: portland oregon Posts: 292	Re: help has anyone shortened a 60-62 frame 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

03-11-2015, 12:39 AM	#9
Captainfab 60-66 Nut Join Date: Mar 2007 Location: Coeur d'Alene, Idaho Posts: 23,252	Re: help has anyone shortened a 60-62 frame 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. __________________ Power Steering Box Adapter Plates For Sale HERE Power Brake Booster Adapter Brackets For Sale '63-'66 HERE and '67-'72 HERE and '60-'62 HERE and "60-'62 with clutch HERE Rear Disc Brake Brackets For Sale. Impala SS calipers HERE Camaro Calipers HERE D52 Calipers HERE 6 Lug HERE Hydroboost Mounting Plates HERE

07-29-2019, 07:59 AM	#10
SkinnyG Registered User Join Date: Feb 2012 Location: Beautiful BC, Canada, eh?! Posts: 2,267	Re: help has anyone shortened a 60-62 frame 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. __________________ 1961 Apache: "Grabber Orange" Shortboxed, pancake, step-notch, air-ride, turbo, LS 1977 Silverado: Shortboxed & dropped, potato-potato V8 Pontiac Firefly (Chevy Sprint): The ultimate engine swap: 5.7L in a 1.0L bag Lotus Super 7 Replica: Scratch-built street-legal rollerskate



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