i thought i read an article once in a classic truck magazine, about a company that had a kit for shortening up a longbed, into a short bed for 55-57 chevy trucks (and 67-72 for that matter as well) anybody know who im talking about? looking for their contact info any help is appreciated! RF ,... remember ever doing an article on this?....maybe you guys know there at the 'zine?
got that already ordered. just talking about the frame section. there is a company out there that sells a kit, and that kit comes with an inner reinforcing plate, a template of where to cut, etc etc etc
you want to know how much to cut out of the frame? wheelbase on 55-57 long beds is 9.25" longer than short beds (123.25 vs 114)
I remember seeing an article about the 67-72 some time back, but don't recall seeing one on the TF trucks. I don't remember which magazine, but you might check the tech articals on the truck mag web sites.
GRSMNKY: I saw that somewhere too.Although, I don't remember what year frame they used but it seems like is was a TF truck. I have most of the last 5 years of the truck mags. Maybe I can find it. What they did is cut the section out, and then used the section they cut out as a "boxing plate" on the inside of the frame at the place where the frame was welded back together. One thing I seem to remember is that the frame was cut at an angle to give more area to weld to. Hope this helps!
when I built my extended cab I had to lengthen the frame, I did this by cutting the back of the frame off long, then cutting the back of another frame off so it would be the correct length when it was all put together. I used some 1/8" x 2" strap to reinforce it. Hasn't come apart yet...10 yrs later...
yeah, you got it. thats exactly what they did. the reason i wanna find out who was the company selling the kit, aint for me. i know where to cut, i have done it maaaaany times before, especially on 67-72's but after thinking about it, im about to do one for a buddy, and i thought ," you know, it would be nice to know the company that offers this kit, so i can refer my customers" its mostly informational so i can pass it on to my customers or others. because i can only explain so well how to do it. but for the customers doing it his first time, would probably feel alot better with a "kit" so to speak
Hey why dont you go to Fred's Truck Parts his number is 520-883-7151. He is in Tucson ask him if he has any more frames at his place. I bought a frame from him a while back, and he had a few long bed and short bed frames. Ask him if you can take some measurements. The area that needs to be cut is right be hind the Cab area anyway and it shouldn't be difficult to cut, fishplate and reweld.
its mostly informational so i can pass it on to my customers or others. because i can only explain so well how to do it. but for the customers doing it his first time, would probably feel alot better with a "kit" so to speak[/QUOTE] see above post
This is what I found. Custom Classic Trucks did a 67-72 frame shortening in the April 2003 issue. The kit they used to reinforce the frame was from Early Classic Enterprises. The website they gave was www.earlyclassic.com. The kit used was "custom formed 3/16" steel to exactly fit the odd inside dimension of the frame, these inserts are welded in place to help support the center of the chassis after it has been welded." If you need the article scanned and emailed, let me know and i will do that!
nope i dont need it scanned, but thanks for the info! that is the company. i have spoke with them and they are sending me some info.
again,,,,,,, I T ' S N O T F O R M E T O U S E! as im about to do one, it triggered me thinking that it would be a good idea to KNOW THIS COMPANIES INFO FOR MY CUSTOMERS so when Joe public walks in my store and says he wants to do it, i can refer him to a kit follow me?
I guess I'm a litle confused here. Why send a customer somewhere to get information on doing a frame shortening . Have him bring you the job and do it for him for a fee. Isn't that the reason your in business? If you do indeed know how to do it sell the service and make some money. I've never heard of a business steering a customer to where the information and kit is available to do a job that his shop is capable of handling. Handing out free information and steering potential customers somewhere else to buy parts (kits) never put any money in the bank for me. Maybe having SEVERAL businesses puts you in a position where you no longer have to generate any income and frees you to run a charity clinic. Must be nice. BTW, the job you refer to is a no brainer provided you own a tape measure and are capable of operating it. Frank
look im not gonna start a pissing war with anyone, BUT a good biz owner tries to learn all the info he can for his customer. cuz not all customers are gonna have you do a job, but if i cant get the job, at least i can sell them the kit! understand now? even though it may seem simple and easy to us, there are alot of do it yourselfers who may have never done it, but could do it with the right rescources. thus the question. comprende?
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