Frame chop done! Lwb to Swb finished!

[RTG_RACING]

If done corect the weld would be stronger than the parent metal. Shouldn't need anything other than the weld it's self.

[flyboy71]

You will need to "fishplate" the joint section where it was cut. If you are not familiar with fishplating, you can Google it or go to the Miller welding forum ( http://www.millerwelds.com/resources/co ... es/mboard/ ) and search there.
If you do not reinforce that diagonal weld you may very well wind up with a two-piece truck.

Ive seen those two piece vehicles at the circus during intermission. Theres usually a clown driving.

[BobbyFord]

If done corect the weld would be stronger than the parent metal. Shouldn't need anything other than the weld it's self.

The crack will almost always happen along side the weld. Frame butt welds should ALWAYS be reinforced.

[flyboy71]

crack kills

[1971ford]

If done corect the weld would be stronger than the parent metal. Shouldn't need anything other than the weld it's self.

You are right about this - The weld itself will indeed be stronger than the metal being welded.
BUTTTTTT do not forget how extremely hot you are getting the frame immediately next to the weld.
The weld itself will not break, but right along side the weld will crack because right there is where LOTS of heat was applied but no weld touched.
Definately dont want to just butt weld to pieces of frame together and call it good.

[aaronb]

If done corect the weld would be stronger than the parent metal. Shouldn't need anything other than the weld it's self.

definitly not advisable, you dont want to leave the frame like that. always plate it in some way.

[jbohall001]

Well I braced it up pretty good, I hope . I would hate to have it split in half going down the road.
Here are some pics of the bed.






Tommorow Im going to get up under the front and try to figure out where and how to notch the front part of the frame. I plan on doing air bags on stock beams, but there is only like 3 inches between the frame and bump stop. I plan to set it up where at normal driving it is set at stock hieght, but when parked roughly lower it 7 to 9 inches.

[aaronb]

sounds good thats exactly what my plans are.

[jbohall001]

Really? Cool, if you get started any time soon you should post pics and such. I hope to get started within a month or two. Kinda tryin to hold out for Mars68 2 link that he's making. I want one badly . I put together a very basic setup on airbagit.com for around $600 bucks. I wanna do some more research into their merchendise though, as far as quality and such.

[mk]

Looks good so far. You might also consider a small section job in the box behind the wheels to balance it out. The ones I've seen without that tend to remind me of those large economy-size women you sometimes see, with lotsa rear overhang...


mike

[jbohall001]

Yea I thought it looked just a little different. Any idea how much needs to go?

[mk]

Here's the best reference I could think of-
http://www.fordification.com/library/ma ... itemId=375

Shows the factory shortbox floor length at 78.19". So, maybe a rear section of about 4"? (if you've taken out 16 already)


mike

[jbohall001]

Yea I took out 16.2 inches, so 4 should look about right. I assume I will have to take a little off of the back end of the frame as well. I found a shop in northern Shreveport that will cut, shorten, weld, and balance my drive shaft for $92. I started cutting out my rusted floor pans today as well.

[JG F100]

Yea I took out 16.2 inches, so 4 should look about right. I assume I will have to take a little off of the back end of the frame as well. I found a shop in northern Shreveport that will cut, shorten, weld, and balance my drive shaft for $92. I started cutting out my rusted floor pans today as well.

yes, its 4" out the back. You could also look around the junkyard or ebay for a shorter driveshaft. Im assuming you are going with a one piece.

[mk]

Last time I had a shaft shortened and balanced it was only 30 bucks, but that was twenty years ago. Swapped a 302/C4 into a 68 merc short flareside that had a 240/4spd. The shaft I pulled out of it was actually a chunk of drilling pipe with the flanges welded on it (non-phased!) Not surprising, I guess, as it had been owned by a rig servicing company...


mike