Turning an 84-85 LWB frame into a 1979-83 frame
01-29-2013, 08:23 PM
#1
Turning an 84-85 LWB frame into a 1979-83 frame
Hi, the frame is rotten out on my 81 SWB and I have started looking for another one, but they are very hard to come by around here and could end up costing 600-1000$ with shipping if I get a clean one from a rust-free location.
I found a clean 1985 LWB frame for 100$ about 3 hours drive from me, and I am wondering what would I get myself into if I wanted everything from my 1981 truck to fit. How much work would it be to get the correct dimensions, body mounts, etc and how much cutting/welding is required, would it be worth it to save the money and what would you do?
Thanks!
I found a clean 1985 LWB frame for 100$ about 3 hours drive from me, and I am wondering what would I get myself into if I wanted everything from my 1981 truck to fit. How much work would it be to get the correct dimensions, body mounts, etc and how much cutting/welding is required, would it be worth it to save the money and what would you do?
Thanks!
01-30-2013, 12:03 AM
#2
Depends if this is a long term project or if you need this up and running in a few days.
Never having to be in a position to do this job I can only guess that lots of things will be different.
Being you seem to be able to do the work it might be easier to use these good frame parts to replace the bad sections in yours.
Things like this are hard to call with out being up close and personal.
Finding another truck that year in good shape might be a real challenge and using yours as a parts truck.:wabbit2:
Never having to be in a position to do this job I can only guess that lots of things will be different.
Being you seem to be able to do the work it might be easier to use these good frame parts to replace the bad sections in yours.
Things like this are hard to call with out being up close and personal.
Finding another truck that year in good shape might be a real challenge and using yours as a parts truck.:wabbit2:
01-30-2013, 06:29 AM
#3
It can be done. But it's A LOT of work. And it will take you A LONG time to do. Because there's a (capitalized expletive deleted) load of cutting and welding involved. So, you had better be a damn good cutter and welder for one. For another, you'd better have nice flat concrete pad(preferably covered/indoors) to do this all on. You can't just "eyeball" welding a frame together. Which brings me to the next thing, measurements, measurements, measurements, and more measurements. If you want it to come out right, you'd better do it by the book. Good thing there's FSMs with all of those frame dimension specifications.
Oh, and one last thing, I'm speaking from experience.
BTW, don't count on a $100 junkyard frame to be perfectly dead-nuts straight and perfectly usable as-is. Meaning, you might be in for quite a bit of "unexpected" labor just fixing other things wrong with it(besides it being too long, and having most of it's parts welded on in the wrong places). Even if there's isn't a significant amount of rust damage.
Oh, and one last thing, I'm speaking from experience.
BTW, don't count on a $100 junkyard frame to be perfectly dead-nuts straight and perfectly usable as-is. Meaning, you might be in for quite a bit of "unexpected" labor just fixing other things wrong with it(besides it being too long, and having most of it's parts welded on in the wrong places). Even if there's isn't a significant amount of rust damage.
Last edited by MudHippy; 01-30-2013 at 06:36 AM.
01-30-2013, 06:55 AM
#4
Thanks for the advice! I apreciate it!
The frame is aparently in good shape and he is getting rid of it, it's not from a junkyard. I have access to a welder and have a friend with good welding skills but we dont have much fabbing experience. With the money I save with the frame I was thinking about bringing it to a specialized shop and have them do the modifications. As for the body mounts, I'm thinking maybe I don't have to cut and weld them since I have to build a new floor for my cab and I can drill new holes on the floor for the existing body mounts.
So is there only one area of the frame I need to cut and shorten to get the proper wheel base or is there more than one place that will need modifying?.
The frame is aparently in good shape and he is getting rid of it, it's not from a junkyard. I have access to a welder and have a friend with good welding skills but we dont have much fabbing experience. With the money I save with the frame I was thinking about bringing it to a specialized shop and have them do the modifications. As for the body mounts, I'm thinking maybe I don't have to cut and weld them since I have to build a new floor for my cab and I can drill new holes on the floor for the existing body mounts.
So is there only one area of the frame I need to cut and shorten to get the proper wheel base or is there more than one place that will need modifying?.
Last edited by gillesdetrail; 01-30-2013 at 07:16 AM.
01-30-2013, 06:57 AM
#5
Depends if this is a long term project or if you need this up and running in a few days.
Never having to be in a position to do this job I can only guess that lots of things will be different.
Being you seem to be able to do the work it might be easier to use these good frame parts to replace the bad sections in yours.
Things like this are hard to call with out being up close and personal.
Finding another truck that year in good shape might be a real challenge and using yours as a parts truck.:wabbit2:
Never having to be in a position to do this job I can only guess that lots of things will be different.
Being you seem to be able to do the work it might be easier to use these good frame parts to replace the bad sections in yours.
Things like this are hard to call with out being up close and personal.
Finding another truck that year in good shape might be a real challenge and using yours as a parts truck.:wabbit2:
01-30-2013, 07:37 AM
#9
https://www.yotatech.com/forums/f114...wnload-261385/
01-30-2013, 07:42 AM
#10
Yes I have measurement pictures for both the 85 and 81 from the FSM, thanks.
I would need to remove 265mm or 10.43" of wheel base.
The 85 frame is 4.71" longer from the crossmember to the front, so it will probably need a new front drive shaft.
I would need to remove 265mm or 10.43" of wheel base.
The 85 frame is 4.71" longer from the crossmember to the front, so it will probably need a new front drive shaft.
Last edited by gillesdetrail; 01-30-2013 at 08:16 AM.
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