frames??? need some expet advise
 

Ok guys here goes, I have a 72 lwb chevy that im restoring for my sons first truck when he turns 16. The problem that im having is, I just stripped it down to a bare frame only to find out that it had been hit hard at one point in its life(front leaf spring perch and rad support are bent backwards alone with crossmembers are bent). Now the prob that I have is my boy wants a swb but I cant find a good donor frame. So do I send the one I got in to get straightened and then shorten to the swb or just keep on the hunt for a good swb frame. Any and all advise is welcome and I will be getting my build up on here sometime today so everyone can check it out. Thanks again guys -- Will

Re: frames??? need some expet advise
 

a swb 4wd frame is very rare.

a lwb 4wd frame is not rare at all.

the most cost effective solution is to find a straight lwb 4wd frame (1970-1972 as the earlier frames were different) and then cut it down to swb.

good luck

Re: frames??? need some expet advise
 

Kinda what I though too, but thanks for the quick responce. Ok so follow me for a sec, I was thinking since im going to shorten the frame anyways what if I were to find a donor lwb and just replace the passenger frame from the front back to the cut section. I was thinking this so I could retain the VIN stamps on the driver side.

Re: frames??? need some expet advise
 

I have seen 2wd lwb frames cut down to swb but never a 4x4. Will a welded frame be strong enough? What if you go wheeling or rock climbing? I personally think that a 4x4 looks better as a lwb. SWB 4x4s looks too stubby to me, like a midget. If it were my son, I'd tell him we are leaving it a long wheel base. When he gets his own money, he can cut it down if he wants.

Re: frames??? need some expet advise
 

Also another thought running through my head, lol to funny that you mentioned it. Personally I like lwb for a 4x4, as he will only be 16 there will be no 4x4in or rock crawling just yet(or at least that I will know of you know how 16 year old boys are). Plus I seen the challenge of shorting a 4x4 frame and never being one to back down from a challenge I started checking it out. Still might scrap the whole thing and leave it as a lwb but still wanted to see what everyone here thought. Thanks mclairmo got a good laugh outta that though!!!!!!

Re: frames??? need some expet advise
 

bump

Re: frames??? need some expet advise
 

Board member Ernesto in Colorado springs has one. There's a guy in Denver who lists a bunch of chevy truck parts on Craigslist. His name is PJ.

R

Re: frames??? need some expet advise
 

thanks Rob for the info ill check it out!!!!