Author Topic: Shortening LWB by moving spring hangers  (Read 2965 times)

Offline ronmohammed

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Shortening LWB by moving spring hangers
« on: June 22, 2020, 11:28:32 AM »
I am shortening a 84 c10 6.2L I have competed the chop on the bed and I am considering the many options to shorten the frame by 14 " however I want to exhaust all the options that involve not cutting the frame in the middle and then if thats not a viable option then I will perform surgery

I am considering moving spring hangers forward and then cutting off the excess frame  in the back ( approx 20")

Also I want to lower the truck 5/7  can anyone refer me to any write up that were done in this method.

So far some things are very obvious in doing this method :
The fuel tanks wont fit

The recess in the frame for the shocks passage wont be there anymore

May have to trim the height from the cross support on the under side of bed where it will sit on the frame hump

Notching may be a problem??

I have seen this done on 70 c10 but I understand the frame geometry is very different also your $0.02 are welcomed


Offline Mike81K10

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Re: Shortening LWB by moving spring hangers
« Reply #1 on: June 22, 2020, 06:53:52 PM »
Someone else may be able to be more help. However, I would go with the recommended and proven way to shorten the frame. Keep in mind that the frame shape (not just length) may be a large factor in trying to put your bed back on the frame after the modification. There are some on this forum that has done the mod and will be able to provide some good advice.
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Offline JohnnyPopper

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Re: Shortening LWB by moving spring hangers
« Reply #2 on: June 22, 2020, 07:02:44 PM »
At first glance I would look to move it up, but I'm sure there will be other item that will need to move, like cross members?
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Offline ronmohammed

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Re: Shortening LWB by moving spring hangers
« Reply #3 on: June 23, 2020, 10:18:58 AM »
johnny & mike thank you for the feed back

your info did give some ideas ,  I will pull the rear wheels and unbolt the bed and slide it forward and see what it takes to have the bed aligned properly the good thing about this model is that it sits directly on the frame rails .
I was trying to avoid cutting because I am also wanting to lower and that's like double the cuts  but point take

Offline frotosride

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Re: Shortening LWB by moving spring hangers
« Reply #4 on: June 26, 2020, 10:03:48 AM »
If you don't mind a ton of extra work you can cut the rear of the frame off and shorten it. Then you will have to modify the short box's bed to be the same. The rails are off everywhere except in the center section about 18" from the cab. If you cut anywhere else you will run into huge headaches trying to fit a stock bed on it.
However if you are doing thinking that your 5/7 drop will raise the bed floor to get over the notch you may just be fab ing a whole new floor either way or at the very minimum most of the mounting holes moved.
No offense when I say this but remember how long these square bodies have being hacked on. The most common method is common because it's the best approach from a fabrication stand point. My '87 R10 will be getting the same treatment when his number pops in the project line.
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Offline VileZambonie

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Re: Shortening LWB by moving spring hangers
« Reply #5 on: June 26, 2020, 12:20:25 PM »
Why are you not wanting to cut it where it should be cut to make the dimensions correct? :o
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Offline frotosride

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Re: Shortening LWB by moving spring hangers
« Reply #6 on: July 04, 2020, 12:29:07 AM »
Why are you not wanting to cut it where it should be cut to make the dimensions correct? :o
+1
"Beat it like a red-headed ford"
1987 v10 Silverado(LQ4), 87 R10,83 K20, 83 cucv 6.2 Detroit
2006 Boulevard M109R 109 cid,2019 M109R BOSS
2009 Jeep XK, (future LS Swap)
GSXR 750 engine awaiting go kart