Thread: Frame ideas, hit a snag

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I planned on using an "overlap" on my frame to put steps in it (Z), and shortening up the wheelbase by 12" (that is two 6" overlaps, one front one back). I got around to measuring more closely tonight and if I do that I won't have enough room in the "gully" of the frame where the cab sits. I would end up about two inches short on space for the cab. I already have to cut that up enough I don't want to have to cut a hole in the back for the frame to stick in to the passenger compartment there as well. I have two frames, and I think what I am going to do is use the rear "clip" off the second frame I have and leave it longer than what I cut off the other frame to add the length I need. This is what I have in mind.





6" z in the front, and place a piece of 6" box in between the two frames in the back to give me 12" in the rear. I got more thinking to do before I cut anything, but I still have a lot of stripping to do on the frames so I have time.

Thanks,
CHAZ

Yeah, use the second frame, after all, what good will it be otherwise? What are the chances you are going to build 2 trucks. We've already discussed I'm not nuts about this method of z-ing a frame, but also we have discussed that it will probably work ok for what your needs are. Just make sure you not only weld the places where the two meet up, but take some 1/4 inch flat steel plate and box both sides of the entire z and also close in the back and front and weld throughout.

Did the Ebay truck give you any ideas???


Don

Yes, it will work that way but to make it look lesss bulky and at the same time be more structurally sound it might be better to use some rectangular tubing and build your kick up in a more conventional manner..... I'm not much on graphics but maybe this will give you an idea of what I mean.... _/ The bottom frame rail, then a piece of 2" x 4" rectangular tubing, or a straight section of spare frame rail going up at a near vertical angle, then the tail piece of the frame... 10 ga. boxing plates on the inside of the frame rail joints would make it plenty strong... The same method would work on the front kickup.

What kind of truck is this. I am starting to plan a 34 or 35 cop and channeled truck and could use some ideas.

Usually a Z'ed frame is cut on an angle so the overlap doesn't shorten it at all. That's where the Z part comes from.