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Apr 26th, 2026 | | AD Chevy Trucks  Over 6,000 pictures Brad Allen has an awesome collection of Chevrolet factory pictures that he has set up from film strips. Check them out!
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| | | | Joined: May 2013 Posts: 173 Shop Shark | | Shop Shark Joined: May 2013 Posts: 173 | I'm looking to build another truck from the parts i already have from another project, my issues is looking for a 1940 half or 3/4 ton frame (I just stated looking for one so one is bound to surface but...if I decide otherwise) The '40 3/4 ton frame is 122-ish inches and the 41 3/4 ton is 125-ish inches. To save myself $ and time looking for a quick frame, I was thinking about cutting a few inches off the '41 frame to match the wheelbase of the '40 and I wanted to know, how I should do this or if this is a good idea? | | | | | Joined: Oct 2006 Posts: 9,671 'Bolter | | 'Bolter Joined: Oct 2006 Posts: 9,671 | Off road, chopping up frames....it sounds like you're hell bent
on hacking up you 70 plus antique trucks. I think you might
get more response if you were posting these questions to the
hot rodders over in the The HiPo Shop forum.
Denny Graham
Sandwich, IL
Last edited by Denny Graham; 01/03/2016 11:50 AM.
Denny G
Sandwich, IL
| | | | | Joined: Apr 2005 Posts: 7,441 Bolter | | Bolter Joined: Apr 2005 Posts: 7,441 | Denny X2. Why are you posting a frame question in the Engine Forum. More help in the proper forum.
Martin
'62 Chevy C-10 Stepside Shortbed (Restomod in progress)
'47 Chevy 3100 5 Window (long term project)
‘65 Chevy Biscayne (Emily)
‘39 Dodge Business Coupe (Clarence)
“I fought the law and the law won" now I are a retired one!
Support those brave men/women who stand the "Thin Blue Line"! Hug a cop!
USAF 1965-1969 Weather Observation Tech (I got paid to look at the clouds)
| | | | | Joined: Oct 2009 Posts: 46 Wrench Fetcher | | Wrench Fetcher Joined: Oct 2009 Posts: 46 | All my Chev service manuals in those yrs say not to weld anything on the frame. Rivet only. They want the frame to be able to flex. Possibly welding compromised frame strength, also. No doubt alloys changed since then but those early frames were riveted. All repairs and side re-enforcing plates,(some mis-name them fish plates) were to be done w/ rivets, not welding. David | | | | | Joined: Oct 2006 Posts: 9,671 'Bolter | | 'Bolter Joined: Oct 2006 Posts: 9,671 | Those frames were not just simply 1018 mild steel, they were
an alloy and welding to them, as well as any metal, can cause
stress risers which eventually lead to fatigue cracks.
Probably wouldn't see much of a problem on a show truck that's
only driven occasionally, but if it's a work truck that you
put thru its paces every day, I'd bet you would have trouble
somewhere down the line.
Some guys get lucky and weld without post heat treat on
steering and suspension components and with light use, drive
the vehicles for years without incident, but a few do
experience failures at the worst times.
A good example are the rim centers that Charlie had fail on
him a while back. Improper welding technique resulted in
cracks at the weld root. Luckily he caught it before one let
loose out on the road at speed.
dg
Last edited by Denny Graham; 01/05/2016 2:48 PM.
Denny G
Sandwich, IL
| | | | | Joined: Feb 2004 Posts: 29,826 Kettle Custodian (pot stirrer) | | Kettle Custodian (pot stirrer) Joined: Feb 2004 Posts: 29,826 | If you insist on butchering up a frame, make the cuts at 45 degree angles and fish plate the joint for added strength. Getting things right so all the parts fit after the hack job has two possibilities, slim and none!
Jerry
"It is better to be silent and be thought a fool than to speak and eliminate all doubt!" - Abraham Lincoln
Cringe and wail in fear, Eloi- - - - -we Morlocks are on the hunt!
There is nothing noble in being superior to your fellow man; true nobility is being superior to your former self. - Ernest Hemingway
Love your enemies and drive 'em nuts!
| | | | | Joined: Feb 2000 Posts: 5,225 'Bolter | | 'Bolter Joined: Feb 2000 Posts: 5,225 | There are a bunch of trucks with Mustang II fronts welded to the frames and you don't hear about them falling off. Depending on where you cut makes a difference on strength as well as how you cut it. When done right, it should last a life time. Sandwich the cut with same size plates inside and out side the frame rails, long enough to support the weight you plan to have on the frame. I wouldn't put the cut at a suspension mount point. I have seen the plates bolted in and have seen them welded in with spot welds through the center sections of the plates as well as the perimeter.
Joe | | |
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