Shortening the frame on 1983 chevy c30 c&c squarebody

In this video we shorten the frame on project "hotshot" and get it ready to install the new bed.

[@user-tw5ed4uk6s]

Wow! Another great project!

[@HarmonGarage]

Thank you

[@fredmccasland7204]

Great video!

[@HarmonGarage]

Thanks

[@robertyoung5078]

Just love how you made everything seem so simple, you have given me my inspiration to do what I been dreaming off, thank you.

[@HarmonGarage]

The confidence comes from having done a few of these already. I was scared to death when I did the first one. Glad I could help. Thanks for watching

[@thisguy1875]

Love dem old square bodys,, I had a old 77 when I was 19year old. My favorite is the 60-63 not alot of them left worth fixin. Great channel Sir like watchin you getr done,, wish I still had that drive man.

[@HarmonGarage]

Thank you

[@workingmansrestorations7071]

You had me running across my shop when you said the truck fell apart

[@HarmonGarage]

Lol

[@jeffdillard5742]

One great video after another, lots of views, now 1500 subscribers! Harmon Garage is on the move, Congrats!

[@HarmonGarage]

Thank you sir. It’s definitely exciting

[@johnhaynie5727]

these step by step video are excellent

[@HarmonGarage]

Thank you sir

[@BILL-sb5kk]

I guess you are are welding with a 220 volt mig welder ? .035 welding wire ? I was wondering because I have a similar project comming up soon.

[@HarmonGarage]

Yes 220 MIG. .030 wire. Dual pass

[@BILL-sb5kk]

Thanks for the come back. LOVE THOSE VIDS, VERY INFORMATIVE !@@HarmonGarage

[@HarmonGarage]

Thanks for watching

[@steelmill888]

I stopped using a Sawzall for cutting frame rails.I can't cut straight with them either.6 in wheel on a angle works so much better.I like the idea of using the old frame section for reinforcement.Nice work.

[@HarmonGarage]

Thank you.

[@Doogie_Causey]

OutFknStanding Job Sir

[@HarmonGarage]

Thanks bud

[@jheibeck6059]

You don't have to angle or z you can plate and gusset if your worried about hauling weight but it happens every day in body shops and chassis shops backhalfing trucks and cars. your work looks awesome and great explanation

[@HarmonGarage]

Yea. I like doing the double frame setup that I do. It has worked out good for me on quite a few. Thanks for watching

[@TheRoadhammer379]

I have to ask what size welder you used, 110v or 220v. My buddy said there's no way you welded 1/4" frame without a 220v welder.

[@HarmonGarage]

It’s a 220

[@HarmonGarage]

But a good high amp 110 welder would do the job

[@TheRoadhammer379]

@@HarmonGarage, I appreciate the reply. I figured you used 220v also but he just couldn't wrap his head around the fact that guys on KZbin have used high quality 110v welders and multiple passes to weld truck frames. You did a phenomenal job on this truck. Really enjoy the content.

[@HarmonGarage]

Thanks bud. I appreciate the support

[@courchesnemichael6218]

I have a 1981 gmc c35 and would like to convert it to a 6ft short box. How much frame length should I cut?

[@HarmonGarage]

If you go back in my other videos I have another video where I shortened the frame on a quad cab long bed. All the measurements and everything you should need are in that video

[@williamjones9099]

Nicely done my friend

[@HarmonGarage]

Thank you sir

[@johnkozero6842]

Looks great 👍👍👍👍👍💯

[@HarmonGarage]

Thank you.

[@michaelcowan3556]

Great job thanks for taking the time to do these videos and the end of video was great😂🤷🏼‍♂️frame broke

[@HarmonGarage]

No problem. Thanks for watching. I try to make it fun

[@HarmonGarage]

Just posted another video 10 minutes ago. A continuation of this project

[@nickwilliams454]

I have the same truck but the frame is bad. I wanted to know if I could do the double frame using a K20 frame. Did you take anything off the rear of the chassis?

[@HarmonGarage]

You can use the k20 frame if it fits. This truck was a dump truck before I started on it and the frame was hacked off right behind the rear leaf spring mount when they cut the bed off

[@nickwilliams454]

My truck was the same dump truck and you can see the layers in some spots. I measured the rails and it’s 1 1/4 inches taller but same width across.

[@nickwilliams454]

You done the best job I’ve seen compared to the Z cut and others. Welded and bolted double frame has to be stronger. I just want a daily driver that I can haul a little heat and there

[@HarmonGarage]

Ok

[@HarmonGarage]

I’ve shortened a bunch of these frames with no issues. This particular truck tows a 30 foot dump trailer everytime it’s used and it’s never had a problem

[@chrisprater9121]

Did this on a 72 K10 and getting ready to do it on a 66 C30 motor home. Good video

[@HarmonGarage]

Thank you sir

[@ronbunker5778]

Nice job! You probably know this, but Brothers Trucks makes a kit for this. Of course, I like your solution better as you are using what you took off and saving the money on the kit.

[@HarmonGarage]

Yes sir. And it is a lot stronger the way I did it. Thank you for watching

[@TheRoadhammer379]

The brothers kit is for C10 frames, the c30/k30 frame is taller. And this frame job was way stronger than what brothers offers

[@HarmonGarage]

Thank you

[@johnkranz4004]

Very Nice job

[@HarmonGarage]

Thank you sir. Thanks for watching

[@michaelmoran4730]

Had a guy ask me to shorten his dully frame so he could use a step side bed back in the early 80's. Everybody told me I was "ruining the truck" by cutting the frame and putting it back together. lol It was stronger AFTER it was shortened than before.

[@HarmonGarage]

Yes sir. Every one that I have done has definitely been stronger after I cut it

[@elwoodbrusse3991]

Nice job.

[@HarmonGarage]

Thank you

[@timjones8006]

You did right by doing it gm way good job

[@HarmonGarage]

Thank you sir

[@tylertrimsale1259]

Do you ever throw a tack on those through bolt nuts?

[@tylertrimsale1259]

I guess it’s not really necessary once everything is welded

[@HarmonGarage]

They’re nylocs. I’ve never had one come loose

[@leonardorobles5341]

Estos vídeos nadamás enseñan las barbas del que sale aquí.

[@HarmonGarage]

Gracias

[@samfisherskiller]

👍

[@HarmonGarage]

👍

[@headersandstrings6737]

Man how is someone going to have a bed like that, and weld on some gas tank straps for a hitch! Well done sir!

[@HarmonGarage]

I agree. It will have a beefy hitch when I’m done!! Lol. Thanks

[@Jluna369]

Great job as always 👊🏼 How much do you charge to cut my 82 c10

[@HarmonGarage]

To shorten the frame. Rewire the back, shorten exhaust, shorten driveshaft, shorten brake lines and clean and paint everything is about $1500 plus materials. (Paint, some bolts, welding wire, etc.) that does not include the bed. Thanks for watching. I appreciate the support!!

[@samknudsen9179]

Here is a tip for you, since you used a part of the origional chassis as a fish plate, i noticed you had a problem getting the back half getting the back half of the chassis sliding passed the fish plate, since you bolted both fish plates, you should have loosened one of the fish plates so it will allow the back half slide pass the fish plate, once you have achieved what you wanted to do, all you had to do was tightened those bolts up then continue doing the rest of the main job, hope this information helps in the future.

[@HarmonGarage]

Good info, thank you

[@smallblockfuelie]

Why not leave the frame VIN number on the truck?

[@HarmonGarage]

Just the best place to cut it. It’s on the frame in at least one other spot that I know of

[@peterhatch1583]

What about a c20 crew cab why not a construction splice

[@HarmonGarage]

I made a video shortening a c20 crew cab. It’s in your videos on the channel

[@peterhatch1583]

@@HarmonGarage thks just finished watching it thks for your reply

[@HarmonGarage]

No problem. Glad you like the videos. Thanks for watching

[@tylertrimsale1259]

Also you should sand blast that flat bed and hit it with some steel it! Make it last a little longer. I’m super anal about rust i attack that stuff with a prejudice haha

[@HarmonGarage]

I’ll clean it good and paint it. But that is a good method

[@tylertrimsale1259]

@@HarmonGarage have you ever tried that steel it stuff? It’s some solid stuff weld through also

[@HarmonGarage]

Yes I’ve used it before

[@TheRoadhammer379]

I rebuilt the entire back half of my 95 F350 4x4 dually cab and chassis, but I cheated and had my local steel sales place actually bend my new frame rails. I had the bend a second set 20 inches long, same as in this video. I bolted and welded the double frame then used Zinga cold galvanizing on the entire frame, under the cab and in the cab. 5 yrs in upstate NY and impervious so far to rust. Zinga rep stated that cold galvanizing is good for 50-70 yrs at 30% salt exposure, but we will see.

[@HarmonGarage]

Good to know on the coating. I will have to look into it

[@socomsmith3241]

😃👍

[@HarmonGarage]

👍

[@socomsmith3241]

I hope thats a lennox blade.

[@HarmonGarage]

Yes sir it is!

[@HarmonGarage]

Best blades I’ve ever used. I like there utility knife blades also

[@socomsmith3241]

@@HarmonGarage ha! I knew it! Don't forget to drink some water buddy

[@socomsmith3241]

@@HarmonGarage I used to weld their band saw blades together.

[@HarmonGarage]

Lol. I have been. I took a couple cases to the shop

[@pawpawdiablo313]

Killer

[@HarmonGarage]

Thanks.

[@tcollier4017]

@9:00 😆

[@HarmonGarage]

👍

[@pattipopwell8462]

Angle cut like a big rig

[@TheRoadhammer379]

We do frame stretches on our semi trucks and for customers, we do Z, L and straight cuts. All get a double frame insert.

[@HarmonGarage]

I feel that all all the cuts provide the same strength if you double frame them. I am not a fan of the angle cut thou

[@user-nk1px2qv9i]

Great video!

[@HarmonGarage]

Thanks