shortening a longbed: few ??

[89Burben]

When shortening a long bed frame is it more desireable to move everything forward and then get a longer shackle with the shackle flip?
OR
cut the frame in the middle and gusset it?


thanks

 

[yellowK20]

Ithink it would be stroger to move the hangers and get a longer shackle and easier to how much are you going to cut it down???

 

[89Burben]

wanted a wheelbase of or around a shortbed pick up......so moving the axle about 14" ahead

 

[Goose]

Cut the 18" or whatever out of the frame behind the cab.
Then everything else will still line up correctly.

 

[blazinzuk]

out of the middle of the frame. The frame drops way down towards the cab and I think it would mess stuff up

 

[obijuan]

a guy i know did it and was cut right behind the cab and boxed in. it works great for a few years now, he said it was pretty easy really.

 

[WRENCH-HEAD]

I did it on my truck when I went to 63" rears. I slid everything forward on the frame to the length/wheelbase I wanted to end up with then I cut the bed to match. Mine is in the middle of a long bed and shortbed. I wouldn't have even thought about it if I had to cut and weld the frame, at that point just get a shortbox frame. If you have enough lift and setup bumpstops correctly the frame being lower won't hurt you except for a possible limit on up travel. My tires would personally hit the top of the bed's wheel wells before the axle could even touch the frame and I'm only running 35's.

 

[NJBLZ]

here is a similar thread with pics

http://coloradok5.com/forums/showthread.php?t=182007

 

[89Burben]

im not qualified to see the pics anyone got any links?

 

[79k20350]

dont cut the frame, thats just stupid. move everything forward. its quicker, easier and stronger. its very easy to get everything in the right place height wise.

 

[danny7139]

http://www.73-87.com/7387garage/chassis_suspension/lwb_to_swb.htm every where i've read told me to z cut the frame and remove 12 in the middle and 8 in the back or 14 in the middle and 6 in the back but these were all sport trucks or low riders what ever you want to call them and not rock crawlers or any of that sort i havent done it so i really dont know

 

[BAJA_BLAZER]

Cut the frame just behind the cab in the long straight section. Much easier, you'll only need to modify the driveshaft length and welding the frame is no big deal. Use a diamond shaped (rounded corners and rosette holes in the middle) fishplate for added security if you are really concerned. It's been done a thousand times; you guys worry too much.