Wheelbase Alterations

Shortening or lengthening a wheelbase is an added expense for the customer. Therefore, it is often to the customer's benefit to order a chassis from the factory with the desired wheelbase rather than to alter the wheelbase of the chassis on-site.

The preferred method for altering the wheelbase is to slide the rear axle forward or rearward as required. Invariably, this requires the lengthening or shortening of air lines, brake lines, electrical lines and driveline. Extreme care should be taken in the modification of the air lines, brake lines, electrical lines and driveline to make sure that they operate as reliably as those with which the vehicle was manufactured.

If the wheelbase is lengthened, a reinforcement may be required. Consult your dealer before lengthening the wheelbase.

In those instances when it is necessary to cut and weld the frame to alter the wheelbase, the frame must be reinforced with a channel-type reinforcement of the same strength as the original frame material in the area where the frame has been cut. For additional information, refer to: Frame Repair and Reinforcement .

If the frame was built with both a main frame and a reinforcement, the reinforcement should be removed before cutting the main frame. It is essential that a new 1-piece outer channel reinforcement be obtained rather than cutting and re-using the original reinforcement.