Crew Cab Short Bed Conversion Question

[Novadiecast]

I have been away for some time but now I am back. I had been collecting parts for a CCSB conversion and I am back at it.

My question is about the frame choice on a conversion. I have been trying to figure out the best way to go about this. The truck will be a lowered Crew Cab with a 6' fleetside bed. I am starting with a 1985 dually.

I could use the 1 ton frame that is 8" tall and shorten it by the 14" required.

or

I could use a 1/2 frame that is 6" tall and extend it.

My question is how does the frame height relate to the truck height.

In other words where is the extra 2" on the 1 ton frame, on top of the frame making the truck sit higher or below the frame reducing ground clearance.

[Captkaos]

Well, If we have to pick, The top
I would shorten the Crew Cab frame.

Welcome back!

[Novadiecast]

Chris are you saying the extra 2" would make the truck sit 2" taller than a Normal 1/2 ton.

[JRConnieK10]

Are you going to use half ton or ton suspension? I would think the ton frame for strength.

[Novadiecast]

I will be using all 1/2 ton suspension.

[Captkaos]

Yes, the body will be higher as the crossmember bolts to the bottom of the frame.

[Novadiecast]

If that is the case, wouldn't I be better off extending a 1/2 ton frame so I could lower it. 2" is a lot to deal with in lowerer.

[HAULIN IT]

Nova, If I'm following correctly...You have the 4dr dually, but you ultimately want a lowered, 1/2 ton, 4dr 6' bed truck, correct? If so, I would get 2 half ton frames (the back one being a 6' bed frame) & cut/splice under the cab between the front & back cab mounts, then add the middle ones accordingly. Just my thought without actually crawling around with a tape measure, Lorne

[Captkaos]

This is a customer of mine that I sold some parts to.  This is a Crew Cab dually that had the rear of a 1/2T spliced into the rear of the 1T frame.  I would just shorten the existing, but are you going to be static lowered or bagged?  This is static with 20's on it.
Are you wanting to be lower than this?

[Novadiecast]

I have read up on that truck. I think that truck sits just a little to high for me. I will be static due to cost. That is why I think those two inches could be very important.

[Captkaos]

Chopped crossmember in the front will cure about 1.5" of the problem.
The rear you could step notch so getting the back down is a non issue.

[VileZambonie]

Why would you want to join the 1/2 and 1 ton frames anyway? Why not just shorten the 1 ton frame?

[Novadiecast]

I do not like the idea of attaching a 1/2 ton frame to the 1 ton frame. That is not going to happen.

I was just thinking it will be easier to stretch a 1/2 ton frame to accomplish lowering the truck especially if the 1 ton frame will make it sit 2" taller. That is 2" I do not want to overcome.

[Captkaos]

A LWB pickup and a CREW cab have different frames and mounting.  YOu can get a crew cab on the ground using the existing frame.

Here is the post with a couple more:
http://forum.73-87chevytrucks.com/smforum/index.php?topic=5905.30

This one is VERY popular, stock 1T running gear on air....