Long bed pickup ?

[littlejimmythatcould]

Is it possible to move the rear suspension forward enough on a long bed pickup to get to the wheel base of a short bed pickup by moving the spring hangers forward? I know the frames are different. I was just wondering, in order to get rid of the ugly rear driveshaft clearance. I am debating on putting the stuff from my Jimmy into a pickup and doing a short flat bed for trail stuff. Would moving the axle forward mess with the pinion angle enough to worry about? Just trying to check everything out before I start making plans. Thanks.

 

[desertrat67]

yup. You should be able to move them forward about 24 inches and then the rears would be mounted at a slight angle of the frame arch where the axle relief normally is. I did this to my crewcab and shortened it 23 13/16 inches. here is a pic of the bracket after trelocation.

 

[littlejimmythatcould]

Did you get any lift/lowering out of moving them? Also, did you have the saddle tanks? Or any fuel ideas? That is exactly what I want to do. Is the wheel base shorter than the wheel base on a standard short bed pick up? Looks like it is. Any more pics would be appreciated. I plan on running the 465/205 combo, which from what I understand is a short combo as far as trans/T-case combo's go, would that help with pinion angle do you think? Will brake lines and stuff have to be re-done? Lots of questions so I can know what I'm getting myself into. Thanks.

 

[readymix]

I think the gas tank will need to be moved

 

[Jimbo*]

If you want to go to that much work just to improve pinion angle, why don't you consider a set of portal axles from a Unimog?
Jimbo

 

[littlejimmythatcould]

I've already got my D60 and my thought was that the truck is a 3/4 ton and already has the 14B FF which would save me time over putting it on the Jimmy. And it's what I got/know about.

 

[big83chevy4x4]

I think the gas tank will need to be moved

if you have the 16 gallon tank(s), you can move the springs hangers to be just like the short bed trucks, (right up against the tank) without moving the tanks. if you have the 20 gallon tank(s), you either have to swap to the 16 gallon or move them

 

[silveradoreb]

I am in the process of doing this to my longbed. Gunna shorten about 12". I also ditched the side saddle tank for a fuel cell and not putting the bed back on. I will get some progress pics after I start, first I gotta clean the frame real good...so its dooable.

 

[454k30]

I have seen people cut and shorten the frame in the area behind the cab, just another way of doing it.

 

[littlejimmythatcould]

You mean just cut a section out of the middle to shorten it? Are there any draw backs to the super short wheel base of moving the axle forward?

 

[desertrat67]

I ran a Sub 30 gallon tank in front of the rear axle.

 

[littlejimmythatcould]

Was there any issues with the the drive line getting it (trans/T-case combo and rear drive shaft)? Is the tank off of a suburban much different than a K5 gas tank (because I have one of those)?

 

[desertrat67]

Sub and blazer tanks are the same to my knowledge. I had no driveline issues at all, but remeber that mine was a crewcab. My wheelbase was still 10 inches longer than a Suburban after the shortenning.

 

[darkshadow]

also remember if you move the springs the axle will have strate frame above it, this may limit the amount you can stuff you axle upwards.

cutting the frame and removing however much you want to shorten it and having it welded up and gussetted (s/p) by some one who knows how too. would still give you your frame bends with out the need to remove and mount your springs.

 

[454k30]

the truck I saw the frame shortened on was actually done by a company that normally makes them longer. In other words it was a limo company. From what I saw it was a good looking job and they boxed the frame in the area that they did the mod.