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How much weight will I loose if I shorten Frame?

Discussion in 'Trucks [ Eighteen Wheelers ]' started by pudamobile, Feb 17, 2011.

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  1. Feb 17, 2011 #1
    pudamobile

    pudamobile Bobtail Member

    27
    5
    May 31, 2010
    Cooperstown, ND
    0
    Hey everyone. I've been thinking about shortening up my '87 T-600 that had been daycabbed before I bought it. It's got a 230" wheelbase, and all it gets used for it pulling a hopper bottom or Dry van water trailer. I'm thinking I can go down to about a 200" pretty easily. It'll cost about $1200 at the local frame shop.

    My other T-600 is a 195", and that seems alot easier to get into and out of approaches. My questions is, as an added bonus, how much should I expect to loose on tare weight with the shorter frame?
     
    pudamobile, Feb 17, 2011
    pudamobile, Feb 17, 2011
    #1
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  3. Feb 17, 2011 #2
    Bent Wrench

    Bent Wrench Medium Load Member

    588
    205
    Aug 11, 2009
    Cornholio, OR
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    Just the weight of the material removed 2-300lbs?

    I would not do it for weight loss, it might be worth it for maneuverability if you are regularly getting in a jam.

    Shortening the chassis will also raise the loaded weight on the front axle, so if you have been close to the limits on your steers it will be an issue.
     
    Bent Wrench, Feb 17, 2011
    Bent Wrench, Feb 17, 2011
    #2
  4. Feb 17, 2011 #3
    rbht

    rbht Heavy Load Member

    888
    525
    Jan 23, 2010
    CT,NH
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    Buy taking out 2 1/2 feet of frame not enough to make it worth it for weight savings imo. Maybe at most a few hundred pounds. But if you need it shorter to get around then its worth it.
     
    rbht, Feb 17, 2011
    rbht, Feb 17, 2011
    #3
  5. Feb 17, 2011 #4
    pudamobile

    pudamobile Bobtail Member

    27
    5
    May 31, 2010
    Cooperstown, ND
    0
    Thanks guys! I was going to do it even if it didn't save any weight, just so it's easier to move around the smaller yards. I'm also planning on taking one of the 150 gallon tanks off since it only makes short trips now. I was hoping for a little weight reduction since it's my heavier of my trucks but the added maneuverability alone is worth the $$ to do it.

    EDIT: I've been pretty light on my steers anyway, my 5th plate is as far forward as I can get it now, so I don't think the added weight on my steers will be a problem.
     
    pudamobile, Feb 17, 2011
    pudamobile, Feb 17, 2011
    #4
  7. Feb 17, 2011 #5
    mgfg

    mgfg Road Train Member

    1,753
    626
    Mar 29, 2010
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    How is the frame shop doing the job?

    Hopefully they are moving the drive tandems ahead and chopping the excess frame from the rear as opposed to chopping the truck in half, removing excess frame from one or both ends and stitching it back together. This is a terrible way to do it!

    When they mount the 5th wheel plate have them set it up so that the wheel will slide both ahead and behind center. In all probability it's either an 18" or 24" slide and no one needs that much forward slide but lots of time some negative slide is handy.
     
    mgfg, Feb 17, 2011
    mgfg, Feb 17, 2011
    #5
  8. Feb 17, 2011 #6
    ironeagle2006

    ironeagle2006 Road Train Member

    1,611
    3,801
    Mar 27, 2008
    Back in Streator IL taking care of Mom
    0
    Dropping the 150 gallons of fuel is 1000 Lbs right there then the 3 feet of frame and maybe one cross member and 3 feet of Drive shaft maybe a Carrier Bearing you might loose another 500 lbs in dead weight.
     
    ironeagle2006, Feb 17, 2011
    ironeagle2006, Feb 17, 2011
    #6
  9. Feb 17, 2011 #7
    pudamobile

    pudamobile Bobtail Member

    27
    5
    May 31, 2010
    Cooperstown, ND
    0
    They're just moving the axles forward and cutting the rear of the frame off. Good idea on placement of the 5th plate.

    Now if only I can loose about 20 pounds myself, I'll be able to haul about 25 extra bushels of wheat legally!
     
    pudamobile, Feb 17, 2011
    pudamobile, Feb 17, 2011
    #7
  10. Feb 17, 2011 #8
    T800H

    T800H Medium Load Member

    608
    295
    Apr 2, 2010
    The Keys
    0
    not even 200 lbs, if no cross member is remove maybe 100 lbs.
     
    T800H, Feb 17, 2011
    T800H, Feb 17, 2011
    #8
    Jfaulk99 Thanks this.
  11. Feb 19, 2011 #9
    Jfaulk99

    Jfaulk99 Road Train Member

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    May 16, 2009
    Couch
    0
    True, frame length doesn't change the truck weight much. The weight of a 215" WB to a 245" was less than 200# according to the build quote. Also removing a fuel tank doesn't do a whole lot either. We had a 120gal tank and brackets removed from a daycab W900L and had the battery step box moved to it's place and barely cut 200#. Every little bit helps if your looking for lightweight but it's no where near what some think. Just not filling both tanks will do more than removing one, and a whole lot less work.:biggrin_2559:
     
    Jfaulk99, Feb 19, 2011
    Jfaulk99, Feb 19, 2011
    #9
    Native Dancer Thanks this.
  12. Feb 19, 2011 #10
    Mr. Haney

    Mr. Haney Road Train Member

    2,693
    2,040
    Dec 17, 2008
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    If I remember correctly when I speced my truck, every inch of frame length added 7 lbs to the weight of the truck
     
    Mr. Haney, Feb 19, 2011
    Mr. Haney, Feb 19, 2011
    #10
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