Where's the rest of my Frame!

[1952B3b23]

Hey Guys,

So i have a '52 B3b 1/2 ton that came with a flat bed installed instead of the traditional kind of bed from the previous owner. The problem is that they cut the frame rails right at the end of the metal plate that the rear leaf spring shackles attach to. So now that i want to install a regular bed instead of keeping the flat bed, im missing the last bit of frame to be able to mount the rear cross member to. Can some one help me out by measuring the distance from the end of the metal plate to the end of the frame rail? I'm thinking that i'm probably missing at least 6 inches of frame. Another problem that im having is that i cant find C-channel with the same dimensions as the frame to weld on and extend it. Any one have any suggestions, maybe know of where i could get a length of frame?

Thanks in Advance,

-Chris

PS - I will try to post some pics :mad:after work, hopefully the internet is working again.

[Merle Coggins]

I can't help you with measurements right now, but a thought on the channel size... If you have a good metal fab/welding shop near by they may be able to bend up a piece of flat plate to match the frame size.

Merle

[Dave72dt]

From the edge of the bottom flat lip of the crossmember to the rear is 8 3/4". When I wanted fresh frame pieces, I had my local metal supplier cut a piece out of 1/8" flat and bend it in a brake to my dimensions.

[HanksB3B]

Wish I had an extra frame...

Find someone around the corner that's doing a Dakota frame swap?

Best of Luck,

Hank

[Barry Maxwell]

From the edge of the bottom flat lip of the crossmember to the rear is 8 3/4"

On my '51 B3C the measurement from the flat lip of the cross piece to the rear of the frame is 13 1//8". I am surprised at the difference

[Jeff Balazs]

From the edge of the bottom flat lip of the crossmember to the rear is 8 3/4"

On my '51 B3C the measurement from the flat lip of the cross piece to the rear of the frame is 13 1//8". I am surprised at the difference

1'2 ton short bed versus 3/4 ton with a longer bed?

Jeff

[Dave72dt]

1'2 ton short bed versus 3/4 ton with a longer bed?

Jeff

'51 B3B standard size 6 1/2' foot box or common size although I think a longer bed was available for the 1/2 ton which would have been the standard size for the 3/4 ton like Barry has.

[Jeff Balazs]

There appears to be a difference here when you compare the 108" wheelbase frames to the 116" wheelbase frame. I don't know the statistics but it seems to me that most of the 1/2 ton trucks were 108" W/B while the 116" W/B frame is the most common one used for the 3/4 ton trucks. I know this is not by any means an absolute truth......just my observation for what it is worth.

Jeff

[austinsailor]

I've got a 49 3/4 ton and a 53 b3b, I'd be glad to cut the ends off of either and send to you, just pay shipping.

The only downside is it'll be about 4 weeks till I can do it unless I know by tomorrow noonish or so. We're leaving for 3 weeks.

If you want to just pm or reply here.

Gene

Central Mo

[Don G 1947]

Chris,

I am cutting up a frame from a '47 1/2 ton. Not sure if the frame is the same, but if you give me some measurements I can check it out.

Don

[1952B3b23]

Chris,

I am cutting up a frame from a '47 1/2 ton. Not sure if the frame is the same, but if you give me some measurements I can check it out.

Don

The dimensions of the C-channel are 4.5 inches tall with 2 inch legs, and the thickness of it is 1/8th inch. Thanks

-Chris

[1952B3b23]

I've got a 49 3/4 ton and a 53 b3b, I'd be glad to cut the ends off of either and send to you, just pay shipping.

The only downside is it'll be about 4 weeks till I can do it unless I know by tomorrow noonish or so. We're leaving for 3 weeks.

If you want to just pm or reply here.

Gene

Central Mo

Gene i just sent you a PM, thanks.

-Chris

[1952B3b23]

Thanks for your help guys.

[austinsailor]

Pieces are cut, they'll be at UPS in about an hour. I cut off all the junk, like tail light mounts and angles, that had been welded on, but you'll have to do a little more cleanup grinding on them.

As I mentioned, they came off the 49 3/4 ton, same dimensions, but not nearly as rusted. I was afraid the 53 frame was rusted too thin to be any good. This one has a bit of rust, but the original surface is mostly still there.

Good luck.

Gene

Edited September 14, 2012 by austinsailor

[1952B3b23]

Pieces are cut, they'll be at UPS in about an hour. I cut off all the junk, like tail light mounts and angles, that had been welded on, but you'll have to do a little more cleanup grinding on them.

As I mentioned, they came off the 49 3/4 ton, same dimensions, but not nearly as rusted. I was afraid the 53 frame was rusted too thin to be any good. This one has a bit of rusts, but the original surface is mostly still there.

Good luck.

Gene

They looked pretty decent in the pictures that you sent to my phone. I will clean them up and when i get them welded on I'll post up some pictures. Thanks a lot for the quick turn around.

-Chris