long box to short box?

[dominic]

can someone tell me how many inches to cut out in the frame of my 1986 chevy long box to make a short box?I can't find any helpful information on google or youtube some say 12 inch,other say 14inch,from what I have figure out it would be more around 18 incs.any help would help thanks.

 

[dremu]

can someone tell me how many inches to cut out in the frame of my 1986 chevy long box to make a short box?I can't find any helpful information on google or youtube some say 12 inch,other say 14inch,from what I have figure out it would be more around 18 incs.any help would help thanks.

Well, assuming the boxes are symmetrical front to rear -- I don't have a shortbed handy to measure -- the 14" figure should be correct. A longbed '73-87 pickup has a wheelbase of 131.5", and a shortbed, 117.5".

However, it's possible that the center line of the wheelwell is NOT at the center of the bed, so you'll have to break out the measuring tape and check for yourself. Measure from the front of the bed to the center of the wheel well on both beds and subtract the two.

Note that if you're going to be lifting the truck or otherwise changing the suspension, you might choose to just move the springs forward and then lop off the frame *ends*. This would mean less welding on the frame, but would require careful placement of the spring hangers.

-- A

 

[dremu]

And, umm, you only hafta ask once...

http://coloradok5.com/forums/showthread.php?t=250021