Crew cab frame

[MAXMAN]

Building an 88 crew, and definitely want to shorten wheelbase. I would like to end up with a wheelbase of about 135". I have searched diligently but have failed to come up with a somewhat definitive answer. Assuming that I am going to run 63" rear leafs with 5-6" of lift, is there any specific reason I can't just move my spring hangers to where I want them to be and chop off the back end of the frame versus cutting a section out of the frame. I understand that the original frame is swept upward for axle clearance, but since I am using lift springs (ORD) and will probably only have somewhere between 5-7" of up travel, I think that there should be plenty of room for up travel. What do the experts here on CK5 think is the best route to take? Thanks

 

[sweetk30]

http://coloradok5.com/forums/showthread.php?t=245582 modification starts around post # 189 for what you want to do .

short answer is yes . I did 56" springs and cut off the back end . doing flatbed .

got me 133" wheel base the easy way using holes in the frame for the hangers were I put them .

but can be done . have seen others do it also .

saddle tanks prob going bye bye . unless reposition up under farther and maybe swap to 15-16 gal short bed tanks to help . I am going rear blazer tank if the 40 gal van tank I got cant be made to fit easy .

 

[MAXMAN]

Crew

Thanks a bunch! My main concern was weather or not there would be enough up travel available with about 6" of lift. From the pics, it looks like there would be more than enough.

 

[sweetk30]

I am using 8" front 4" rear 56 and flip with 7" shackles on rear also . rear 56 flipped backwards for less rear over hang . your setup will be different.

glad pics helped you .

you see the carrier bearing crossmember holes made for perfect location of axle for square in frame . and I even frt/back x pattern checked it with the front and right on the money .