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LWB to SWB Swap

Is it possible to just put the short bed on the long bed frame and just move the mounts around? Move spring hangers forward, then cut off the back of the frame? Would be easier than shortening/boxing the middle. Especially if the person doing this does not have a welder.
 
muddermilitia said:
Is it possible to just put the short bed on the long bed frame and just move the mounts around? Move spring hangers forward, then cut off the back of the frame? Would be easier than shortening/boxing the middle. Especially if the person doing this does not have a welder.
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This is possible but I think it would make more work. The arch over the axle would be in the wrong place and since the bed has shorter supports in the area that sits over the arch you would have to address that issue, which is not as critical as the frame joint but would still require material removal and possibly welding.
 
Sorry but registration and so on goes with the frame in California not the body.

I say shorten the '73 frame and put the short bed on it.
 
No, link.... I'll look it up later if I can remember but I had a '73 'burb (frame) with a body swap. When I moved it from Oregon to California they checked it out and set it up as a '73. I have since sold it as a '73 and all went smoothly.
 
I don't know but in my case I didn't have it on the dash, door or firewall. When the lady complained I explained that a body swap had been performed and asked her to check with her supervisor. The supervisor informed her that the prevailing VIN in California was on the frame.
 
It's been a while but IIRC after the DMV I had to go to the CHP station and they affixed a tag for the door post that showed the frame VIN.
 
SUPER'BURB said:
It's been a while but IIRC after the DMV I had to go to the CHP station and they affixed a tag for the door post that showed the frame VIN.
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Just to clarify California will do either or.
You can request they use the body or the frame.
as long as you have a title that matches either one you are good.
 
imiceman44 said:
Just to clarify California will do either or.
You can request they use the body or the frame.
as long as you have a title that matches either one you are good.
Click to expand...

That is what I figured. A cab swap is stupid simple compared to shortening a frame.

Martin
 
I swapped cabs to make a swb once. I'll cut the frame if I ever do it again. If you poke around in the "garage" over at 73-87.com you'll find a write-up on the frame cut method with dimensions for the cuts iirc.
 
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