The Stovebolt Site Forums The Shop Area General Truck Talk We chopped my truck in half!!!!

Well, after careful deliberation and many ideas on how to repair the driver's side frame rail on my '50, we finally came to a conclusion. We decide to cut the frame in half, and add a new one to the existing one.

We chose a S-10 frame, since we had a bunch of them laying around, and mached everything up. After many measurements, and head scratches, we made the crucial cut.

The "new frame" is welded inside of the original '50 frame. It's overlapped 18 inches, so I doubt that I'll be breaking it anytime soon.

I was against swapping my body onto a whole S-10 frame, because I wanted to keep my front straight axle. I'm happy with the end result, with the exeption that I will not be having that much of a bed when it's put back on. Because the rear half of the frame sits so high, my bed floor is going to have to be raised in order to get the bed to sit where it used to.

Below is the link to all of the pictures that were taken on Sunday. We pulled this whole crazy, maniacle maneuver off in a little less than 8 hours. It may seem like I have a crew working for me, but that's not the case. Apparently, the guys don't know how to operate a camera, so I had to stop working every so often to take pictures.

I know how everyone likes pictures, so enjoy and let me know what you think! Thanks guys!!

http://good-times.webshots.com/album/562824297hZCTmv?vhost=good-times

That looks nice Jenny! It looks like a good, with many more years of life now! My 54 frame was rusted very badly, Greg H was able to provide me with another good 54 frame. Doing something like you did looks like a good option! Very nice!!
Samantha

rasise the box and lower your fenders

You have more nerve and skill then I have. On my '50 3100 I located another frame to replace my cracked/rusted through frame.It was the easier solution for me.

Looks like you did it the right way. Keep the pictures coming.

Nice job Jenny!! Was surprised as to how close the frame are. Good luck and have fun
Dan

Thanks guys!! I had a couple good friends there to help out. I have to give them credit for their involvement.

I was also suprised on how easy it ended up being. But, to tell you the truth, I was scared and very nervous the whole time that the "spinal transplant" was going on! I'm just glad that it all worked out, and that my girl can continue to stick around for another 50+ years.

Looks good Jenny. Now, chop the top three inches, put a big block with a blower up front and you will be good to go. Purists having chest pains and passing out lol !!

gtow -- Naw, you'll have to do better than that!! Us purists are doing fine! Good project and we're following along with great interest!

So there!

John

Nice to seem some Pics Jenny!! I understand the fear. Everything I am doing is the first time on my 58.
brian

Thanks Brian! I remember, a while back, you asking me to post some more pictures. So, hope these satisfied your curiosity for a bit.

Some of you guys may think that I'm nuts, but I'm trying to pull all of this off (an almost full restoration) in about 30 days. Well, now I'm at about 2, maybe 3 weeks. There's still a bunch to do, but at least the hardest part is done. I think it should pretty much fly from here.

Keep on keeping on!! Go Jenny!! I am at 7 years on my 58. At your rate you could have completed.............84 trucks

Well, she's not done yet. I'm putting the rear in and possibly the drivetrain on saturday. I still have a bunch of metal work that needs to be finished before I can drive her. I don't think that the local cops would be too appreciative of being able to see inside the cab with the doors shut.

I know that a lot of people like to take their time on projects like this. I have a personal deadline though. I turn 25 (yea!! I get to join the quarter of a century club!!) on income tax day, and the only thing I want is to be able to drive my truck.

I'll make sure to take more pictures for you and everyone else when I get cracking at her again this weekend. I spend almost every night of the week doing bodywork, but it's nothing really worth taking picures of.

Anyway, thanks brian!!

That's a heck of a timeline... 2-3 weeks to get her done in time for your birthday, but if anyone can do it the way you work for hours on it every night, you can...

The job looks great so far... way to go, jenny!

~Trev