The Stovebolt Site Forums The Parking Lot Big Bolts '51 Chevy 6500 converted to a 6100

At an overall length of 23', the '51 6500 that I brought home is just too long for city living. Especially without power steering to help me get around corners. So I cut the frame behind the cab and removed 42", then welded the halves back together. The wheelbase is now 137", the same length as a model 6100. It looks short, but the length of the leftover frame is 8'. The bed that I intend to build is sufficient for a cord and a half of wood.

Finished result

That looks like my 4400 now I really like the shorter bed eight feet is plenty.You did a really good job.

props to you and your confidence in your welding skills

Did you fish plate the inside of the weld? I could not see anything in your pictures. I would highly suggest either putting a fish plate or a sleeve inside the frame rail if you did not. A straight vertical cut as you did is the weakest possible way to cut a frame.

It looks like you did a really nice job of prep-work and your welds look nice....I just wouldn't trust any weld on a frame splice like that.

Tad

Looks likw a fun toy!

Looks good. keep us posted on the work and we love pics.

I still intend to fishplate splice. I just wanted to get pictures taken before I had to clean up for the weekend. As for a vertical splice being the weakest configuration... Take a look at this page here. BTW, I did consider the z-cut. Next up: spruce up the brownie box, remount it and modify the lengths on both drive shafts!

Shom you could box in the frame where you did your splice about 16 inch plate from the old frame piece's.There's a cross member in front and behind that would be plenty strong .I consider this also for mine but feel the weld will be strong enough for me.Keep us posted and include pictures I like to see everyone's engineering .

That is a pretty good introductory article. I see where he states to use a straight cut at the splice. I wish that he had explained his reason for saying this. I have always seen to use a tapered cut, or a sideways v cut on the web with the cuts on the flanges, diagonal in opposite directions, one forward and one back.

I seem to have misused the term fish plate as well. I really intended just to ask about reinforcing the splice area....I guess a fish plate is a full piece all the way from the cab to the rear end.

I'm glad you are going to reinforce the splice...all it takes is one small imperfection in your well to act as a stress riser and start a crack.