Extending the frame

[FordGuy100]

Alright guys, for the prices others have mentioned in my other thread, this thing will be staying with me for a long time .

Here is my situation, I dont like having a regular cab, it is without a doubt way to small (I'm 6'5" and even with the seat all the way back it still is a little cramped, I have to kinda slouch otherwise my head will be hitting the roof). So I'm sure I can go out to some junk yard, or someone parting there truck out, and get a CC cab. Now, what I'm wanting to do, is get a CC cab, do all the body work. Then once that's all done, I want to extend my frame. I dont know where I would extend it, or how exactly to extend a frame, whats all invalved in it and what not. I know I would probably need to extend a bunch of things because of the added distance, but I can work around this. I figure if I do all this (minus the paint, I can do the body work, I have a friend who's good with the body filler ).

So walk me through the steps of what would be involved in doing this. Is it something I could do, with a bunch of help from people who know what there doing.....ie been welding for a long time, ect.... Or is this something that would be over my head.

I want a CC damnit, and I'm not selling my truck

 

[7.3shrk]

It can be done - but by the time you are done, you will wish you just sold it and bought another.

 

[sle2115]

Alright guys, for the prices others have mentioned in my other thread, this thing will be staying with me for a long time .

Here is my situation, I dont like having a regular cab, it is without a doubt way to small (I'm 6'5" and even with the seat all the way back it still is a little cramped, I have to kinda slouch otherwise my head will be hitting the roof). So I'm sure I can go out to some junk yard, or someone parting there truck out, and get a CC cab. Now, what I'm wanting to do, is get a CC cab, do all the body work. Then once that's all done, I want to extend my frame. I dont know where I would extend it, or how exactly to extend a frame, whats all invalved in it and what not. I know I would probably need to extend a bunch of things because of the added distance, but I can work around this. I figure if I do all this (minus the paint, I can do the body work, I have a friend who's good with the body filler ).

So walk me through the steps of what would be involved in doing this. Is it something I could do, with a bunch of help from people who know what there doing.....ie been welding for a long time, ect.... Or is this something that would be over my head.

I want a CC damnit, and I'm not selling my truck

Personally, I think you'd be better off to restore a CC and use your parts. You'd have to not only extend the frame, but move the axle. I did all this to my truck. Extended the frame 16" and moved the axle back 9 inches. Was a fun job, but not undoable. If you have to have it welded, etc., you're going to have a ton of money in the thing having all the work done, which would make finding the frame you need a better deal.

 

[FordGuy100]

That is probably the truth guys. But I just dont have the money to go out and buy a CC truck. I mean, I'm fairly sure that I have enough money to go out and find a decent used CC cab, and I already have all the body filler and what not. I just dont think I could go out and find a CC truck for under $800, ya know?

I have access to a big ole Liconln MIG welder, and I know how to weld pretty decent, and I know people that weld for a living that are close friends, so I know I could go and get them to help for free or right near it.

 

[LCAM-01XA]

Extending frame means moving axle, moving axle means longer driveshaft or a two-piece driveshaft, both of which can cost pretty penny - for having my front driveshaft retubed from 28" to 30" and installing new U-joints I got quotes in the $225-250 range, I did however get it done for $150 but only after calling a few big truck shops (which is, quite frankly, where I should have started) - pricing of a new shaft is directly proportional to the length and diameter of tube needed, so unless you find a CC rear driveshaft expect to have some decent expenses in that area too.

 

[Diesel JD]

Justin, you should probably find a CC and restore it unless the truck you have holds a lot of attachement for you which it sounds like perhaps it doesn't. I'd find a gas hog CC F350 4WD. Any truck that isn't wrecked bad and doesn't have cancer will do. You can just take your time restoring it and building it like you like then swap over your good parts from the reg cab. I have thought of doing this myself but said truck would be dedicated for long hauls, vacations, going fishing, etc. I have my eye on an early 90s F350CC 4WD with a gas burner that lives where my dad works. The USDA will probably let it go cheap in a sealed bid auction. *crosses fingers* Good luck

 

[FordGuy100]

Yeah, thats just one of the things that I would have to figure out. I would also have to extend the fuel, brake lines, the parking brake, all the electrical, exhaust, and probably some other things.

So when I was saying extend the frame, are you guys saying extend it after the rear diff, like more towards the rear. I was almost thinking about extending it before the diff, more towards the front, or is that a no no? If it was alright to do it that way, then I would have to move my rear diff would I?

There's pleny more question to come guys

 

[FordGuy100]

Justin, you should probably find a CC and restore it unless the truck you have holds a lot of attachement for you which it sounds like perhaps it doesn't. I'd find a gas hog CC F350 4WD. Any truck that isn't wrecked bad and doesn't have cancer will do. You can just take your time restoring it and building it like you like then swap over your good parts from the reg cab. I have thought of doing this myself but said truck would be dedicated for long hauls, vacations, going fishing, etc. I have my eye on an early 90s F350CC 4WD with a gas burner that lives where my dad works. The USDA will probably let it go cheap in a sealed bid auction. *crosses fingers* Good luck

See thats the thing, I kinda am attached to my truck. I have no idea what my grandpa would so to me if I ever sold it, or made it a CC, or kinda butchered it for parts. See I can see making it a CC, your making it better in sort of a way. I just dont want to canabalize it for parts for some other rig, that'll probably **** off my grandfather, and I really dont want to do that he's a pretty damn cool guy.

 

[towcat]

stretching/shortening frames is nothing new in the towtruck world. I do it pretty regular back when I built carriers. Rule of thumb is you must have at least two feet of straight frame section for the cut. If you're not into DRW CC's I do have a parts truck for sale. Full length CC frame and cab. I'm keeping the dually rear and the doghouses. a mismatched interior also comes with the truck. It's got a centurion interior that's going into another truck. What you'll need to do is graft your front frame clip on for the 4wd and the powertrain.

 

[sassyrel]

me--id do like dieseldj says---cause one of the gas hog cc's would be going cheap now. and if you dont want to cannabalize your truck--find another 2wd diesel, and change that stuff over to make it a diesel---could be a rolled one--all the driveline parts would probably be ok-----waalaaa--two trucks!!!!!!!!!!

 

[94f450sd]

its not hard or expensive to stretch a frame.but IF YOU DONT KNOW WHAT YOURE DOING,DO NOT DO IT!!!!!!!!!!! if it aint done right the truck will crab walk,welds will break and it wont be pretty.

if you start with 2 pickup frames you dont need to touch the axle position.just cut it under the cab and add a length of frame on each side.anybody that says different is an idiot.ive done it and see it done daily.the only time you gotta mess with the rear axle is if you start with an incomplete vehicle chassis.these are the trucks that were used to build tow trucks,ambulances and other non-pickup vehicles.my 94 was stretched 3 feet to turn it from a wheel lift wrecker to a ramp truck.it would be easier and quicker to just get a crew cab even if it is just a cab sitting on 2 frame rails.

 

[Agnem]

I agree with Rich. Your going to want to insert the extra frame section in such a way that the rear cab mounts end up where they need to be. A crew cab is still supported by only 4 mounts, same as a regular cab. It should be as simple as butt welding new sections in, and then plating them over. The only hard part is you need somebody who is good at vertical welding, and knows what kind of rod to use. I'd probably add a few cross members too just for good measure. Naturally the driveline, brake stuff, fuel and electrical will all need to be extended as well. Best way would be to use parts from a crew cab.

 

[LCAM-01XA]

if you start with 2 pickup frames you dont need to touch the axle position.just cut it under the cab and add a length of frame on each side.anybody that says different is an idiot.

Rich, that's what we meant by moving the axle back - you don't physically disconnect the axle from the frame and drill new holes are relocate it, no, but by adding frame before it you are effectively pushing it back from where it was with respect to the tranny.

Also, Mel, I wouldn't trust a butt weld to hold while going over a pothole, let alone for serious driving - you do the butt weld, yes, but you Z-cut your frame first, then after the butt weld you add plates to both sides, weld those good too, and I would also throw some 1/2 bolts in the ends, just for a good measure - longer trucks put more stress on their frames, so the connections need to be really really strong.

 

[RedTruck]

Justin,

I've actually thought about the same thing you are talking about. Instead of lengthening your frame I'd suggest calling around and purchasing the frame from a bone yard (preferably with the cab attached). If you ever decide to sell your rig, that lengthened frame could be a sticking point.


Paul

 

[hahn_rossman]

Justin-
CC are definitely more comfortable! What about finding a crewcab/short box combo? It would depend on how much hauling you do. I would rather keep the shorter wheelbase if I didn't need the room.