cutting frame rails

[jordan]

I have a 85 F-150 longbed with a 300 6 and a c-6 trans. I am wanting to convert the truck to shortbed. What is the wheelbase for longbed and for shortbed. If you have any pointers or tips let me know.

[R Pope]

For starters, don't just whack a chunk out and buttweld it back together. Cut a horizontal line so the front and back pieces overlap. A torch isn't the best cutting tool either, but will work if you cut back from the lines and grind to them,.

[halftanked]

I've spliced truck frames before and prefer to cut at a 45degree angle to give the butt weld the maximum length. Specs for wheelbase differences can be found in any exhaust system listing,generally about 18 or 19 inches. Box the spliced area,or just flip the piece you cut out ,and weld it on the flanges to make a boxed area

[Matt167]

If you had a truck that was a little less common, I would say section it, but short bed versions of your truck are probably all over the junk yards, just get the frame from 1 of them, you could get the bed too if you don't have 1 arleady.