Would it still be traditional if I stretched my AD chevy cab 8-9 inches? I'm a fat Mfer and want to make my '50 LWB into a SWB. I scored a SWB bed and could shorten the frame 9 inches OR stretch the cab. Any opinions? any pics of one stretched?
I think it's glassguy here on the HAMB that stretched one.....I think his was bout 5 inches and it looks fine....furthermore my father in law stretched the cab of a 46 Chevy 6ish inches and it as well looks fine.
See if someone will do a photoshop for you, but I agree with Chaddilac- 55 2nd series and up look okay stretched, but the earlier years just don't look right.
i say go for it. i think much would be ok and look good. but a photochop would be good to see before hand.
I think it is a great idea. Anything to make it more comfortable for yourself is a good idea in my book. Photoshop would give you some good ideas for sure..
There was a red one up here, did the show circuit a few years back. Stretched 7". You really couldn't tell, it was very well done. I may have to dig up a picture of that.
Your in the AD group there are some that have been done. I have seen some that looked good to me and others that did not. It can be done to look right thats for sure. I think a couple inch in the doors and acoupe in the cab would take less away from the overall shock of a 6ft door.
The best looking example of a stretched AD I ever saw was from a company in one of the Southern States. They stretched the cab in the doors. About 4 inches if I recall. I have also seen a '50ish F-1 done the same way. In both cases, the increased length was subtle and you kinda had to look at it a bit to catch the change. Inside though, where it counts, the difference is quickly noticeable. Something to consider, perhaps. Ray
I always thought a stretch through the doors would be cool on a 30s truck but should be the same on an AD. Do about 4 inches, keep it subtle, then about a 3" chop. I still want to make a pickup out of this cab someday.
I think if you are very careful about the proportions, etc. it could be cool. To me that '57 above is a good example of how NOT to do it. This one's not terrible...
willowbilly3, that would make a cool pickup! There's a guy posted on Stovebolt about his project of stretching and widening an AD truck cab. http://www.stovebolt.com/features/feature_stories/metcalfe/index.html wow!
I did mine because my utility boxes were to short. I added 10 1/2 inches to the length and subtracted 9 1/2 inches from the height. I ate up a COE and a 55 chev 4 door for parts. if I were wanting a good looking truck I would move the B piller and find 2 extra doors and the back half of a cab for the stretch look at shop truck build at www.oldcarglassguy.com I don't think I'll ever have to worry about trophys but mine is strictly built for a work truck
same reason needed space inside..... I did one of those for a guy from Texas,It was on a 80's chassis and I did it thru the doors only as I remember it was 6" longer ...that way the wheelbase was then matched with the longbed frame from the mid 80's... It actually looked good ,had the effect somewhat like a mild chop in it's appearance.
I'm stretching my new cab 9-1/4 inches through the doors and using it with a short bed on a long bed frame that I have had set back for 20 years to do just that. With the chopped top and lowered seat there is a lack of leg room in those cabs.