TECH: Making a LWB to a SWB - cutting a '55 - '59 Chevy Truck Frame

This is where measuring is important, 3rd to the last picture I miscalulated and cut the top portion about 2 inches to short as oppose to the 2nd to the last pic, where the top extends all the way out to the end, its an easy fix, but i could have avoided that if i wasn't in a rush

 

This is the end result:

1957 Chevy LWB to SWB conversion.

 

More misc. pics.

On the side steps, I will probably just buy some SWB steps, swap meet time is coming up and its will look better if those are unmolested, welding and smoothing in between the step ridges is no fun.

 

bttt

 

great tech, thanks

 

Good Job Rey, Can't wait to inspect it up close

 

hahaha, I was about to respond to your post that I have a buddy in Irving that I need to make sure approves of the conversion........and I looked at your avatar and thought, man that looks like Ruben's truck.......hahaha turns out your the buddy I was talking about....hahahaha

Don't worry Ruben, when I am done,,,you will approve.

 

This is an awsome tech article!!! Helps HUGE! What do you guys think about the comment from SAMIAM? Cutting an extra 9.5" off in the front of the frame for the camaro graft and shifting the cab mounts rearward 9.5" to avoid cutting the frame in the rear???? Makes me think that this is the way to go if a persone is going to do both anyway!!!

 

I might be the test dummy for this idea, SamIyam. Sound great!

 

The problem with moving the cab back is all the crossmembers will end up being in the way when you put the motor and ****** back in.as well as the brake pedal and master brackets will also have to move.It is way easier to cut the frame and move it forward like the post shows.

 

Well, im using a firewall mounted master cylinder and a new ****** cross member. Is there any other problems that im not thinking about? I'd like to make one cut as oppossed to two if it only means moving the cab mounts. I think that there is only the one other cross member that is right in line wiht the rear cab mounts. moving that one back shouldn't be too tough. however, cutting all of the rivits (6?) on each cab mount and moving that corssmember may not be any less work than just shortening the frame behind the cab.

 

i don't know nik... it sounds like it will work but for some reason it just feels like something is missing, it sounds too easy, but if you have it figured out, post it, we would be interested in seeing it.

You will have to shorten the rear of the frame also, not a big deal.

 

Having seen my buddy do a couple of trucks with the Camaro stub and shortened frame I would say that you are a lot better off cutting and shortening the frame than trying to move crossmembers. He swapped beds but shortening the bed gives one another option.

 

Those rivits are not easy to remove and for good reason.I would leave them be and cut the frame and shorten it. I went and looked at a truck for sale a few years back that somebody tried to move the cab back on,The frame was destroyed.After the rivits were removed on the cab mounts and crossmembers the frame sprung apart and the guy couldnt get things to line back up strait.so his fix was a torch and welder and it got ugly........Especially that rear crossmember just at the back of the cab,you wouldnt believe how fubared this thing was.

 

Awsome build UPDATES???

 

No updates unfortunately, after doing the camaro clip, it has been on the back burner until i get a 36 Ford truck i am working on out of the garage.

 

I am picking up a 57 3/4 ton long box tomorrow morning and will be doing the same thing, thanks for the awsome and detailed thread!! Is there on on the camaro clip?

 

Yes, here is my post
http://www.jalopyjournal.com/forum/showthread.php?t=367831

and the post I followed from LUX BLUE:
http://www.jalopyjournal.com/forum/showthread.php?t=148978

Everything you need to know about this swap is in LUX's post.

 

I missed this thread the first time around.
Nice to see someone altering a frame the CORRECT way. Well done sir!

 

here it is just got it home, no what to do...

 

see instructions above.....

 

Check out my post in this thread.
http://www.jalopyjournal.com/forum/showthread.php?p=6908121#post6908121

 

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