I have 1981 F-250 I want to move the rear axle forward about 25 inches. Should I cut the frame and move the whole rear assembly or just move the spring hangers?

The frames neck down funny between the front and the rear wheels. This makes just moving the mounts forward very tough.

I have removed 20 in from a 78 f-250 frame before and used a piece of box tubing as a cross member to weld the front and rear halves together. The box tubing was notched to clear the driveshaft. Truck works great. Sorry the picture doesn't show the chop, just the result.

http://united4wd.com/html/paragon_1.html

You can just see the piece of box tubing behind the first hoop.

inboard the springs and move it forward buy brackets off of blue torch or skymanufacturing

I moved mine(reg cab long box) forward 12 inches, just the right length to use a stock front shaft out back.

All I did was redrill the holes for the stock hangers.

When I did mine oringinally I moved the rear suspension hangers forward 31" & chopped off what was left. My rear shackle/hanger is actually mounted pretty much in the old axle hump on the frame.

Imo its best to shift the hangers forward and trim the extra frame, instead of chopping and splicing the frame. Look at it as an opportunity to build beefier hangers while your at it.

After looking into, I think I'm going to try to mount my body onto a 77 ford bronco frame.

My buddy shortened his 86 F-350 longbed to shortbed length. Took it out of the frame where the cab ends and the bed starts, just welded and plated in the "C", looks good and it has held up for years now.