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| | | | Joined: Jan 2010 Posts: 150 Wrench Fetcher | | Wrench Fetcher Joined: Jan 2010 Posts: 150 | I know that the wheelbase on the shortbed trucks is 114". I had a 1973 Chevy Nova Subframe put in the truck about 12 years ago. I didn't really know to check this stuff out then. The truck now has a 113-1/4" wheel base. Does the 3/4" really matter? Has anyone done this and if so what rear end are you running in it? | | | | | Joined: Jan 2010 Posts: 150 Wrench Fetcher | | Wrench Fetcher Joined: Jan 2010 Posts: 150 | Update. I remeasured and verified that the wheelbase is actually 112". I don't see how the thing got chopped that short. Does anyone have any experience lengthening a frame? Would adding 2" back in be fairly easy or would the frame be too weak to mess with? I'd have to take this to a professional welder so cost is a factor. I may just scrap the frame and go with one out of a 73-87 truck. | | | | | Joined: Jul 2005 Posts: 595 Shop Shark | | Shop Shark Joined: Jul 2005 Posts: 595 | if your gonna change frames a pre 73' will work better. | | | | | Joined: May 2001 Posts: 7,438 Extreme Gabster | | Extreme Gabster Joined: May 2001 Posts: 7,438 | If you've been driving it for 12 years without problems why are you concerned about it now? | | | | | Joined: Oct 2002 Posts: 4,066 Bolter | | Bolter Joined: Oct 2002 Posts: 4,066 |
Redryder pixMy HotrodA veteran - whether active duty, retired, national guard, or reserve - is someone who, at one point in his or her life, wrote a blank check made payable to The 'United States of America', for an amount of "up to and including my life."I am fighting cancer and I am winning the fight | Pain is part of life; misery is an option. | | | | | Joined: Jan 2010 Posts: 150 Wrench Fetcher | | Wrench Fetcher Joined: Jan 2010 Posts: 150 | I haven't been driving it. The truck's in pieces in my garage. I got it while stationed at FT Knox. After that I went to Italy for 3 years. I only recently went and got it from my dad's house where it sat for 8 of the 12 years. I'm going to start working on it and I want to put together a decent truck. | | | | | Joined: Feb 2007 Posts: 434 Shop Shark | | Shop Shark Joined: Feb 2007 Posts: 434 | The frame can be lengthened by cutting and welding in a new section. You sort of need to know where you need the extra 2 inches. Don't add them between the core support and the front cab mount if they are needed for the bed, for example.
Cut the frame diagonally and put in internal fishmouth (diamond)braces so you don't have vertical stress points, box the frame around this section and it will be stronger than the original.
Plan ahead and you might get lucky--for example, if you are thinking about C-sectioning over the rear axle and the section needs added there, it would be a great place to make it longer...
May not work for you, but I think it is worth thinking about.
Last edited by R-Bo; 09/21/2010 3:04 AM.
R-Bo
1959 Apache 1/2 ton Big Window, Short bed Fleetside (under reconstruction)
1966 GMC 305V6 in the family
| | | | | Joined: Jan 2008 Posts: 4,961 'Bolter | | 'Bolter Joined: Jan 2008 Posts: 4,961 | If you had a different sub frame put in, the 2 inches has to be in front. Moving the front axle back 2" may get your tires tangled up with your fenders. If you are measuring correctly, I would move the subframe forward 2". If you don't know how to weld, I would recommend a professional welder. Donnie Riske who is right down from the street from you could fix it right. http://www.riskefleetservices.com/
Last edited by crenwelge; 09/21/2010 5:25 AM.
| | | | | Joined: Feb 2004 Posts: 29,796 Kettle Custodian (pot stirrer) | | Kettle Custodian (pot stirrer) Joined: Feb 2004 Posts: 29,796 | Do you have the front fenders, bed, and suspension mounted yet? The only real problem would be the fit of the wheels in the fender openings. 2" of different wheelbase won't affect handling, just looks, as long as the geometry of the front suspension hasn't changed. I'd reccomend a trial-fit of the front end to see how the wheel openings and front wheels look, and making any necessary corrections at or near the point where the subframe was welded on, if necessary. Try NOT to add a very short extension piece, cut the existing subframe weld out, plus a few more inches of frame, and add a spacer at least 6" long. Then box that area of the frame for strength.
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
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| | | | | Joined: Jan 2010 Posts: 150 Wrench Fetcher | | Wrench Fetcher Joined: Jan 2010 Posts: 150 | No front sheet metal yet. I'm trying to find 1955 or 1956 front sheet metal. | | | | | Joined: Jan 2010 Posts: 150 Wrench Fetcher | | Wrench Fetcher Joined: Jan 2010 Posts: 150 | I found a couple of pre 1973 frames on Craigslist in San Antonio. The problem I see are the raised areas in the frame. The frame is lower in the middle. Is there a kit for the swap or does it require some knowledge of fabrication to make the mounts? | | |
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