The Stovebolt Site Forums The Parking Lot Tons 'o Fun Shorten a 1 ton

Has anyone on here shortened a 1 ton. I am looking at a 1 ton with a 9 foot bed. I understand the sheet metal of the box but is there a logical place to shorten the frame? How much did you shorten it? What did you do about drive shaft?

Hy dgrinnan, what would you like to end up with? Do you want to shorten the wheelbase of the truck, or just install a shorter pickup box or deck?

Do not cut the 9ft bed. They are rare as hens teeth. Find a long/short bed to mount on your shortened frame and sell the 9 footer to someone doing a restore.

If I am able to obtain the truck I would initially not do anything to the bed. Just thinking out loud.

Though you didn't mention a year, the 55-9 frames lose their length between the front and rear cab mounts, though the link is for long and short beds, not one ton per se.

Why shorten a 1-ton? They are *way* cooler than 1/2-tons

Just sayin'

Hear! Hear!

I'll be interested in the bedsides, running boards, and aprons if you decide to do something like that. Please don't cut those up. I'll drive to KY from FL for those parts

Dave -- Were we successful in preventing you from doing something very regrettable?

I think the reason no one 'fessed up to shortening a 1-ton is that they know the rest of us would pummel them if they did. Besides, were you to sell a set of original, good condition (restoreable) 1-ton bed parts, you could probably make enough to buy excellent new and US made parts from Mar K or others for a 1/2ton bed.

I've got a nice cut of prime filet, but I want a hamburger- - - - -can anybody recommend what kind of meat grinder I should use?
Jerry

Sell it. Dont shorten it. As all else said, it dam near a crime.....

Heck sell the whole truck, or dont buy it if you haven't bought it already. Buy what your after, dont ruin a truck designed to be a truck. Many of us would love to have, and use it as designed. Got any pics?

I agree don't cut it. I'd build a cab over camper on a chassis like that, I think that would be cool

First off, it's your truck do what you want to it.

Anyhow, The 3800 truck frame is flat on top, there's no rear axle arch. Once you figure out where you want your axle, you could just whack the end of the frame off.

If you're wanting a shorter, lower truck, the 3800 probably isn't the best option to start with. You would need to c notch the frame in the rear. As far as the front goes, the 3800 is quite a bit different than the 3100 or 3600 trucks, so lowering may be an issue. A new chassis, or find someone parting out a 3100 may be the way to go.