Longbox to Shortbox Conversion Suspension Question

[wiscomick]

Hi guys. New member here, long time lurker. I have a 97 C2500 that I'm looking into doing a shortbed conversion on. As far as I can tell from multiple threads here, it's a pretty straightforward deal. Relocate axle 14" forward, trim the rear frame, and deal with a few brake line and driveshaft issues.

My question is this: When relocating the rear end forward, are we then dealing with the same rear suspension geometry and mounting locations as an OEM shortbox truck? The few pictures I've seen of successfully converted trucks looked VERY high in the rear as far as ride height. Is it possible that there might be a need for a spring pack change after this swap?

Just gathering information and I appreciate your input.

 

[RichLo]

Shortbox to longbox or vice-versa?

Either way its not as easy as just reloacting the leaf spring mounts, you have to cut the frame in half and re-weld together and that will always be a weak spot on the frame for the rest of its life nomatter how good you weld it.

 

[454cid]

The best way to do this would be a frame swap, in my opinion.

 

[wiscomick]

Oh for God's sake. Yes, Long box to Short box conversion, hahaha. Christ. What a way to start posting. Truck is a long box now, want to shorten it to a short box. Edited the thread title. Ugh.

 

[Oldblue98]

Oh for God's sake. Yes, Long box to Short box conversion, hahaha. Christ. What a way to start posting. Truck is a long box now, want to shorten it to a short box. Edited the thread title. Ugh.

Many years ago I did a 1965 Dodge pickup, as stated before required cutting frame and shorten, weld frame,plate frame and weld. Required a lot of measuring, leveling, lining up bed with cab, drive shaft etc etc. A lot of work.

 

[JackE]

These trucks don't cost enough to spend that much time and money on when it's easy to sell your long box and buy a short box. If you were trying to make something that GM didn't, it would be a different story. My son had a '79 CCLB Dually that he did the short box conversion on, but only because GM didn't make that animal in '79. When all was said and done, he decided it was a waste of time and money, sold it, and bought a '99 CCSB Dually.

 

[Supercharged111]

Short bed 8 luggers aren't exactly easy to find. My suspicion is that that's what his intent is here. Still a mess of work though. I remember when I was dually hunting how many of the trucks were beat up neglected POSs. Getting tough to find clean examples.

 

[JackE]

I have never been a shortbox fan. My opinion has always been if I'm going to buy a truck, it's going to have 6 wheels on the ground, and 8' in the bed. If I have to leave the tailgate down to haul my 4 wheeler or a sheet of drywall, it's not worth messing with. It's pretty funny to hear my 12 year old give his older brother crap about his shortbox trucks. They loaded my 4 wheeler up in his bed the other day. The front tires were about 1/2 way off the end of his tailgate. Not to mention his truck was sagging under the weight. Those 5.5' 1/2 ton dodges are worthless as a truck!

 

[wiscomick]

Well, the fact is I got the truck for free, and it's got sentimental value. That's not stopping me from making it mine, however. I've seen threads on the shortbox conversion done on this page multiple times, and from the looks of things, it doesn't look too terribly difficult. There's no cutting/re-welding of the frame necessary like on some other models. If there was, I wouldn't be considering it. But yeah, a 6-lug RCSB 2WD 2500 would be pretty awesome in my opinion. Rear end is a big upgrade over the standard 1500 stuff.

As a side question, does anyone have pictures of the frame on an OEM shortbox truck with the box removed?

 

[Supercharged111]

The front spring mount on a short bed sits at the diagonal part of the frame where it's transitioning from the under the cab part to under the bed if that makes sense. You'll need those mounts to keep the ride height correct, Dorman probably sells them.