Pardon the interruption, I am new to this forum, as well as my current project and am hoping I may get a few tips from members experienced in frame stretching. I posted this under the suspension section, because I did not see one devoted to frames. My current project requires the frame of my '87 F-350 Crew Cab Dually to be stretched roughly 32 inches in the cab saddle area. Has anyone here had their frame stretched or done it yourself? Suggestions for reinforcement? Precautions (besides the obvious)? Any info is appreciated.

Neal.

 

Frames are flexible and cutting and welding will make the frame brittle.

All manufacturer's void the warranty if a frame is welded on. Obviously the warranty is long gone, but to prove a point.

Think about over building the area needing to be stretched and extending the added support long past the cut points. (as long as practical) Fully boxing the frame in front, along the stretch and behind the cut area. Make a jig to hold the front and rear square but will slide apart to inset your extension. It is a little more technical than most people think.

Are you making a 6 door?

Good luck..............

 

Thanks for the reply. I had already figured on all of your suggestions, actually, and was not necessarily planning on doing it myself. I have already spoken with a truck and welding shop near my home that has stretched numerous semi frames (alot different since they are straight and have no "saddle"), but have never tackled a pickup frame. I have seen several pictures of converted trucks (6 door F-350s, 4 door Centurion Broncos, etc.), but have had no luck actually contacting an owner, and can never seem to get Centurion to actually answer their phone (they are located just two hours South of me).

No, I am not doing a 6 door. I am actually building a custom hauler (my idea has been done before)- a Peterbilt 359 cab, hood and hi-rise sleeper on the F-350 chassis with the box, though a bit shorter. It's the larger sleeper that causes the issues and requires the frame to be stretched. I am looking into all my options, and will have the stretching performed only as a last result. I really need to get in touch with someone that has either stretched their own truck or had it done. Speaking with Centurion would be ideal, but like I said before...

Neal.

 

I had an idea of doing a 4 door Bronco , but did not happen. I was told that they used a 2 door extra cab shortbed for there conversion.The wheelbases measured out the same , from what I can remember. Dont know about stretching a truck frame though.

 

No, I am not doing a 6 door. I am actually building a custom hauler (my idea has been done before)- a Peterbilt 359 cab, hood and hi-rise sleeper on the F-350 chassis


why couldn't you take a cab and chassis destined for a ramp truck and use that?...the hard part is done as far as the chassis goes

...zap!

 

...when you say 'ramp truck' are you speaking of the F-250 & F-350s seen on the road that have a slanted hauling bed (usually about 14-18 feet) with a standard cab or extended cab mounted on them? I thought about that, however, I have been told that those are actually stretched frames as well (typically started with a new 'chassis cab' option truck from the dealer). The problem there is I don't know who actually makes those trucks. I have seen some on ebay with all different brand names of ramp beds, but the people selling them are typically second or third owner and don't know where the thing came from to begin with, since they are typically still titled as a Ford pickup. The cheapest I have seen one of those sell for in decent shape is around $4-5k, those were gasser models (which I don't want), and I already have about $7k invested in my truck anyways, so I would like to just start with that, and besides- it's a challenege now.

Neal.