99 long bed to short bed conversion...
01-28-2014, 04:41 PM
#11
I built the 4 link for air ride. I hope it works for drag racing. If it does great. Currently it has cut a 1.8 60' without issue. Not sure how it will do as the truck get's faster.
So far it isn't useless, we will see if it needs some tweeking with time. If it does that is a matter of cutting the bracket off and adding one with multiple holes. And possibly drilling the front support. The front can get as close as 3" apart and the rear the sky is the limit with new brackets.
So far it isn't useless, we will see if it needs some tweeking with time. If it does that is a matter of cutting the bracket off and adding one with multiple holes. And possibly drilling the front support. The front can get as close as 3" apart and the rear the sky is the limit with new brackets.
01-28-2014, 04:42 PM
#12
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01-28-2014, 05:33 PM
#14
1. A 2500 frame and a 1500 frame are different.
2. If you look at were the front leaf spring mounting points on the actual frame on a Long bed Vs. a Short bed frame, its completely different.
3. A parallel style 4 link is not a good set up for Drag racing if that's what you plan to do. They are designed more for cruising and and doing things like air bags that need articulation to lower and raise the vehicle. A Drag racing 4 link uses 2 un-equal length bars to create a point in which to focus the energy effectively.
My advice to the original poster would be to purchase a frame like the one offered and swap it Vs. Hacking up the original frame.
In order to do it correctly, you should section the frame at the seem and move the front leaf mounting point forward to were it is on a short bed frame.
Good Luck with your project!
01-28-2014, 07:12 PM
#15
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I am in the process of doing the same thing to my 03 silverado.
As long as you cut on the factory weld then it will be a breeze.
As soon as I start cutting on mine I will have a progress thread.
Good luck
As long as you cut on the factory weld then it will be a breeze.
As soon as I start cutting on mine I will have a progress thread.
Good luck
01-28-2014, 08:57 PM
#17
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01-28-2014, 08:58 PM
#18
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I won't be cutting and welding mine, I'm only going to move the hangers forward and then chop the end of the frame off.
01-28-2014, 10:07 PM
#19
01-29-2014, 01:15 AM
#20
1. A 2500 frame and a 1500 frame are different.
A LD 2500 frame is similar in shape and if any different I think it might be 2" taller. I think it is identical in every other way. I could be wrong but this is the best info I can find.
2. If you look at were the front leaf spring mounting points on the actual frame on a Long bed Vs. a Short bed frame, its completely different.
No crap!!!!!!!! This is why the simple shortening of the frame seems as much or more work as the 4 link. Plus then it opens up you option for air ride or coil overs!
3. A parallel style 4 link is not a good set up for Drag racing if that's what you plan to do. They are designed more for cruising and and doing things like air bags that need articulation to lower and raise the vehicle. A Drag racing 4 link uses 2 un-equal length bars to create a point in which to focus the energy effectively.
I set mine up for air ride. I already explained that it worked great to run mid-low 13s and got me out of the hole at 1.8 60 ft. I don't see any major issues coming up if I get to the 1.6 area but if they arise I have some changing to do. All fairly simple stuff and not much money spent or lost.
My advice to the original poster would be to purchase a frame like the one offered and swap it Vs. Hacking up the original frame.
This seems like a great option on paper but sounds like a miserable time if you think about it. Depending on the current condition of the frame. Front suspension or not, any lines included(brake, fuel) rusty bolts underneath for the cab mounts. It would be horrible. If you can weld and don't want to 4 link z the frame and find bed. shortening the bed is also an insane amount of work and something I wouldn't be willing to put in the time when you can buy one off the shelf."
In order to do it correctly, you should section the frame at the seem and move the front leaf mounting point forward to were it is on a short bed frame.
Good Luck with your project!
Last edited by custm2500; 01-29-2014 at 01:27 AM.