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"Back Halving" a pickup frame for a 4 link suspension.

handloader90

handloader90

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Just curious on this. I know it's called back halving in the Jeep world... not sure of another term for it but basically removing the back half of the frame.

What is the best way to go about this?

Cutting the frame off somewhere behind the cab is an obvious but from there would it be ideal to weld in some rectangular tube as a crossmember then build the new frame rails off of that with some fish plates?

Trying to look at it from a strength perspective, wouldn't want the new portion of the frame braking off from where it would be mated to the original frame rails.
 
A flat section of frame is the easiest way to plate and go off of, and easier to keep it square that way as well. Having lots of jackstands and a level floor is a must.
 
So box the frame?

Or run some plate from frame rail to frame rail horizontally basically terminating the stock frame rails against the piece of plate? Then weld the new frame rails to it?
 
6 of one half of the other. I think the preferred way is to weld a plate to butt the new section to do then plate over the open section of the frame. Whats the end goal for this? Go fast, u4, crawler?
 
jekquistk5 said:
6 of one half of the other. I think the preferred way is to weld a plate to butt the new section to do then plate over the open section of the frame. Whats the end goal for this? Go fast, u4, crawler?
Click to expand...
6 of one half of the other?

DD/ trail rig. Nothing crazy. Not sure if I wanna get into link territory yet. But my rear frame rails are tweaked to the point where I was contemplating parting it out.
 
I think he's saying 6 one way or half a dozen the other. Doesn't much matter.

Is your frame past the point to have a frame shop realign and then you box and brace the hell out of it?
 
Abusfullofnuns said:
I think he's saying 6 one way or half a dozen the other. Doesn't much matter.

Is your frame past the point to have a frame shop realign and then you box and brace the hell out of it?
Click to expand...
Possibly. I'd rather do the work myself if I can too.
 
skunked said:
So keeping the bed and staying on leaf springs?
Click to expand...
Bed is long gone.

More than likely keeping springs and inboarding the spring hanger and shackle mount onto the bottom on some rectangular tube frame rails.
 
If I could get away with running some 2.0 air shocks I would link it.

I don't have the money for coilovers or struts.
 
Maybe some used coil overs? Here's a chopped frame with links. There's coil overs for sale on the Vegas area off road facebook groups that seem reasonable. They pop up often.

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It's not mine. This is what I'd like to do to my 77 when funds are available. Been window shopping the facebook groups is why I mentioned used ones. The simplicity and used shock pricing might put it within reach. Chopping the frame off behind the cab has been something Ive wanted to do for a long time. I'll be watching this thread for info. I hope you can make it happen.
 
The rear frame setup you're going to want for a leaf setup probably isnt going to be the same for a 4 link setup...

Ive back halfed plenty of stuff. I prefer to build the whole thing on a table and then weld it to the car/truck as a unit.
 
Search for this build on the pirate board:

Chevy Crew Cab (C3) Truck Build

Super cool truck with a similar mod to the rear frame as what you are talking about. Pics of the frame chop are on the first page I think. This truck ends up linked though.
 
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