Truck Frame Stretching

Yeah I know this thread is a little older. But I just GOT To SAY....UMMMMMMMM PURTY!!!!!!!

 

i'm an owner/operator,so i'm always # various locations. i'm considering buying a day cab,but hell it'd be a long wheel base too lol!!!!!!!!!!!!1

 

We do it all the time in jamaica.........i myself stretch truck bodies..........we stretch tractors and put dump bodies on them...........the avg price for a stretch and a 17-18ft steel body is roughly 10 000us......

 

If you REALLY want the low down on stretching....Head over to the forum on ATHS.org and look for the frame stretch threads there.The best way is a Z cut.90degree across the top and bottom flange,then 45 degrees down about 25% the rail,turn 90 degrees cut 50% turn again 90 degrees cut the rest of the4 25% of the side rail.Make up a template so you can cut both sides the exact same and also use the template to cut the piece your going to weld in.

 

I've lenghtened the wheelbase on 2 KWs and didn't use any Z cut , it was a straight cut at 90 degrees to the frame rail. One added 30 inches and the other 25 inches. There wasn't any double framing done, just a pie wedge backing plate for the flanges. I put over 1 million miles on both these trucks with no problems at all. I know of a shop in Winston Salem NC that does this.
Also in IN any shop that does the big sleeper mounting will modify frames. Double framing is for dump trucks!!!

 

I was in a 300" flat top Pete for a while and yes when I first got into that truck it took some getting used to but after the first week or two you learn to adjust...I miss the truck but not the company !!

 

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=9hdi1RyBD4E

 

Apple's Welding ( George Appleyard )
Northwest blvd.
W-S, NC 334 722 1305 I THINK, IT's in the phone book.

 

you get use to it , then its no big deal .

 

dont use frame an spring in columbus. they stretched mine and double framed it for me 2 years ago and put a steerable lift axle on it. i replaced it with a straight lift. when i unbolted the steerable and took it off i looked at the boltholes and they cut them with a torch. man was i pissed.