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- » Want to meet your needs and meet NSM Requirements?
Make Vancouver Axle and Frame your provider for frame shortening, frame lengthening, and wheelbase modification in the Fraser Valley, BC! All of our work is certified provincially and federally, and we are authorized to certify the safety of your vehicle with Transport Canada’s National Safety Mark (NSM). We do frame work right–to meet your needs and meet all NSM requirements. We can shorten most medium-duty and heavy-duty vehicles. Contact us NOW to discuss frame shortenings.
Frame Shortenings: Important Considerations
The frame of your vehicle is its spine; it supports all the “running gear” of the vehicle, including the engine, transmission, rear axle assembly in rear-wheel drive vehicles, and all suspension components. Given so many components are involved, the process of shortening your frame is more complicated than it would appear.
Two basic requirements of your truck frame:
- 1. Strength to do the intended job.
- 2. Rigidity in its platform.
Frame modifications include:
- Changes to wheelbase of vehicle.
- Changes to intended use of vehicle.
- Repair of damaged areas.
What do you want your truck to do once it’s shortened? Maybe you want to improve your truck’s appearance. Maybe you want to trim some of the fat since you repurposed a larger vehicle. To help you decide whether or not to shorten your truck frame, ask yourself what results you want. Consider quality of ride, turning radius, load balance, among other variables in performance.
Safety Inspection: Your vehicle should be inspected before modifying it, including a driven inspection to test handling, turning, check for vibrations, etc. An alignment inspection would check rear axle(s) and frame to rate overall condition.
To meet NSM compliance, consider your vehicle specs, before and after shortening.
Helpful terms:
Curb Weight: The “wet” weight of a vehicle with a full tank of fuel and all fluids filled, but without passengers or cargo.
Body Weight: Weight of complete body to be installed on chassis.
Payload Weight: Weight of commodity to be carried.
Gross Vehicle Weight Rating (GVWR): Total of curb, body and payload weight. Includes engine, transmission, brakes, axles, suspension, frame, etc.
Gross Combined Weight Rating (GCWR): Maximum capacity of a vehicle AND a trailer (towed vehicle), including its own weight
Gross Axle Weight Rating (GAWR): The maximum distributed weight that can be supported by an axle.
GVWR and GAWR Considerations: GVWR and GAWR should follow the manufacturer’s recommendations and be consistent with the capability of your vehicle.
Reclassification: Once shortening is done, your vehicle may even be reclassified as a different type of vehicle based on lower weight ratings, new purpose, and other factors.
Still Want to Do the Job Yourself?
Frame shortening should be done at a shop with a great reputation. Too much can go wrong in terms of safety, weight distribution, and alignment.
Frame surgery done in your backyard could end with a frame breakage, an obvious problem. You want to be sure your metal fabrication is done RIGHT—the first time.
What about a less obvious problem, like alignment?
If your frame is misaligned, your truck will travel sideways and “dog track”—making it difficult or even impossible to align your front end properly. A misaligned rear axle is often the culprit. Even a “slight” misalignment can destroy your tires and fatigue your frame. Our Bee Line equipment offers the industry’s best alignment and frame straightening technology to get the job done right.
Your drive shaft angle must be precise; even a “slight” variation will cause extra tire wear, lower fuel economy, and other problems.
Bottom Line: You affect many vital components of your vehicle, even with a small shortening. The science involved is better left to a CERTIFIED frame shop.
We’ll do your frame shortening right! We’re a Transport Canada authorized, NSM-compliant shop and we’ll shore up your frame for best performance as well as safety and compliance. Contact us NOW to learn more!