Re: Shorten '57 Chev 1 1/2 ton frame?

Posted by db on May 03, 2007 at 15:06:44 from (205.188.116.72):

In Reply to: Shorten '57 Chev 1 1/2 ton frame? posted by Jerrycpp(WA) on May 01, 2007 at 20:19:17:

Everyone's right. Move the springs forward. Cut the chassis. Don't cut all the way through the chassis, just cut out enough to move the angle forward where the chassis is a smaller dimension over the axle. Just cut out the bottom edge and enough of the side to move everything forward. Add some thickness to the frame where the metal is removed on the bottom edge. The weld is stronger than the metal around it, but cracking around the weld from overheating causes the metal to break away from around the weld rather than down the weld, so Use a Sawzall to cut away the bottom edge, and enough to make the new angle instead of using a torch. Buy a new piece of metal the same thinkness and width as the bottom edge and bend angles in it to match the angles removed. If you're not a professional welder figure a way to take the truck on it's front wheels to a licensed welder, even if you have to hire a wrecker. You can clamp all the pieces in place for the welder and save a lot of money. You will have little distortion of the frame from heating, and from the distortion that will take place by removing the stress that the frame is under in it's present state of compression with being riveted together. Move your springs forward and position the spring perches in place. If you don't feel comfortable with positioning it so it tracks right, take it to a body and frame shop, you can tow it at this point with the spring perches clamped in place. Have the shop do a four wheel alignment and drill the holes to bolt or rivet the spring perches to the frame. Have the driveshaft shortened and balanced by a driveshaft shop. I'm not a professional welder, and I've never changed the wheelbase of a truck, but I've done a lot of work with metal, and this seems like the least drastic method of shortening, or lengthening a frame.

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