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1981 F150 lariat super can frame shortening

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Gord

1981 F150 lariat super can frame shortening

Is there a frame shortening kit I can buy to change my 81 F150 to a short box.

Thanks

ArdWrknTrk

Re: 1981 F150 lariat super can frame shortening

Administrator

Welcome to the forum!

I'm not sure you'd need any kind of "kit"
You need a 16 gallon side tank, a cutting & welding rig and to bring your driveshaft to a shop to cut about 16" out and re-balance it

At least I think a regular truck is 133" wb and a Flareside/short box is 117.
Fuel & brake lines are easy enough to shorten.
You could probably get away with making a loop in the electrical harness. 💡

Jim,
Lil'Red is a '87 F250 HD, 4.10's, 1356 4x4, Zf-5, 3G, PMGR, Saginaw PS, desmogged with a Holley 80508 and Performer intake.
Too much other stuff to mention.

ArdWrknTrk

Re: 1981 F150 lariat super can frame shortening

Administrator

Oh. You said super caB...

Do you want to keep the extra cab, and just use the short box?
We're wading dangerously close to modern 4 door trucks with an open trunk, like a Ridgeline. 😆

I don't know if there's room for the 19 gallon mid-ship tank in that configuration, or even where the wheelbase would end up.

Jim,
Lil'Red is a '87 F250 HD, 4.10's, 1356 4x4, Zf-5, 3G, PMGR, Saginaw PS, desmogged with a Holley 80508 and Performer intake.
Too much other stuff to mention.

Gary Lewis

Re: 1981 F150 lariat super can frame shortening

Administrator

In reply to this post by Gord

Yes, welcome! Glad you joined.

Sounds like an interesting project. Hope you'll document it here. Maybe in Projects? Or the main section. Your call.

Gary, AKA "Gary fellow": Profile

Dad's: '81 F150 Ranger XLT 4x4: Down for restomod: Full-roller "stroked 351M" w/Trick Flow heads & intake, EEC-V SEFI/E4OD/3.50 gears w/Kevlar clutches
Blue: 2015 F150 Platinum 4x4 SuperCrew wearing Blue Jeans & sporting a 3.5L EB & Max Tow
Big Blue: 1985 F250HD 4x4: 460/ZF5/3.55's, D60 w/Ox locker & 10.25 Sterling/Trutrac, Blue Top & Borgeson, & EEC-V MAF/SEFI

ArdWrknTrk

Re: 1981 F150 lariat super can frame shortening

Administrator

Here's an interesting video:
https://youtu.be/mtwDvFTfBn8?si=qTMLXwHEz2lObdv4

Jim,
Lil'Red is a '87 F250 HD, 4.10's, 1356 4x4, Zf-5, 3G, PMGR, Saginaw PS, desmogged with a Holley 80508 and Performer intake.
Too much other stuff to mention.