frames??? need some expet advise - The 1947 - Present Chevrolet & GMC Truck Message Board Network

BigBlack · 08-23-2009, 10:14 AM

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

1971short4X4 · 08-23-2009, 10:18 AM

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

BigBlack · 08-23-2009, 10:25 AM

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.

mclairmo · 08-23-2009, 10:40 AM

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.

BigBlack · 08-23-2009, 10:50 AM

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!!!!!!

BigBlack · 08-23-2009, 04:58 PM

bump

**Hart_Rod** · 08-23-2009, 10:55 PM

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

BigBlack · 08-24-2009, 07:27 PM

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

08-23-2009, 10:14 AM	#1
BigBlack Registered User Join Date: Jul 2009 Location: Brighton, CO Posts: 24	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 __________________ Projects -- 72 Chevy k10 4x4 lwb 350/350 69 Chevy c10/CST 2x4 lwb BB 396 Last edited by BigBlack; 08-23-2009 at 10:15 AM.

08-23-2009, 10:18 AM	#2
1971short4X4 Registered User Join Date: Nov 2001 Location: Mission Viejo, Ca Posts: 377	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

08-23-2009, 10:25 AM	#3
BigBlack Registered User Join Date: Jul 2009 Location: Brighton, CO Posts: 24	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. __________________ Projects -- 72 Chevy k10 4x4 lwb 350/350 69 Chevy c10/CST 2x4 lwb BB 396

08-23-2009, 10:40 AM	#4
mclairmo Registered User Join Date: Jan 2006 Location: Take Off Posts: 1,908	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.

08-23-2009, 10:50 AM	#5
BigBlack Registered User Join Date: Jul 2009 Location: Brighton, CO Posts: 24	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!!!!!! __________________ Projects -- 72 Chevy k10 4x4 lwb 350/350 69 Chevy c10/CST 2x4 lwb BB 396 Last edited by BigBlack; 08-23-2009 at 10:59 AM.

08-23-2009, 04:58 PM	#6
BigBlack Registered User Join Date: Jul 2009 Location: Brighton, CO Posts: 24	Re: frames??? need some expet advise bump __________________ Projects -- 72 Chevy k10 4x4 lwb 350/350 69 Chevy c10/CST 2x4 lwb BB 396

08-23-2009, 10:55 PM	#7
Hart_Rod ************* Join Date: Apr 2005 Location: Pensacola, FL Posts: 17,827	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 __________________ Rob - https://www.instagram.com/hart_rod_c10 As Iron Sharpens Iron, So One Man Sharpens Another. Proverbs 27:17 FOR SALE: DBW pedal bracket - http://67-72chevytrucks.com/vboard/s...d.php?t=651123 FOR SALE: Hood Brackets http://67-72chevytrucks.com/vboard/s...d.php?t=679945 1987 Silverado SWB - 34.5K original miles http://67-72chevytrucks.com/vboard/s...d.php?t=801834 1969 SuperBurb - http://67-72chevytrucks.com/vboard/s...d.php?t=200387 1968 Farm truck - http://67-72chevytrucks.com/vboard/s...d.php?t=358692 1968 SWB - http://67-72chevytrucks.com/vboard/s...d.php?t=551258 1948 Chevy - http://67-72chevytrucks.com/vboard/s...=122164&page=3

08-24-2009, 07:27 PM	#8
BigBlack Registered User Join Date: Jul 2009 Location: Brighton, CO Posts: 24	Re: frames??? need some expet advise thanks Rob for the info ill check it out!!!! __________________ Projects -- 72 Chevy k10 4x4 lwb 350/350 69 Chevy c10/CST 2x4 lwb BB 396



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