Re: Scars are in?
 

I noticed that the Z cut has become quite popular. I did it because it's a great way to remove the turn signal and a tad less welding (my truck is a 67). But if you're going to keep the front turn signal (noticed on a few pics above?) it makes more sense to do the straight cut more in the middle of the bed? I guess maybe they plan on shaving the front signals as well?

Re: Scars are in?
 

I don't know about the z-cut as opposed to the straight cut, but one thing is certain, a factory short bed is quickly becoming out of reach. A bed alone in decent shape commands 1000-1500 and still needs body work. As Ledd Zepp said in another thread, a factory short bed frame now commands more than ever. Now if you start with a LWB and buy you a factory frame and luckily find you a bed, you have essentially put 2500-3500 bucks into a truck, not to mention all the work in swapping drive trains, cabs and everything else. MUCH more than a weekend project. THEN you still have body and paint work staring you in the face. Now as I see it, and take heed, I love them all, long ,short and extra long, I just happen to like a SWB the most. So for less than $125 I shortened my LWB truck AND did it safely without total disassembly. Value? Who cares? I don't for one, but the scars? I think it is a fad, but running a 56 chevy without a front bumper was too, and people still do it. There are so many different ways to fix up our trucks and I try to find something about each one of them to like.

Re: Scars are in?
 

My Longhorn has "scars" from the factory, how about that !!!! :)
On a more serious side note: I've seen "scars" in the hot rod world for years, especially rat rods leave the welds visible where they chopped the top, for example, or on custom motorcycles nice welds could be part of the design. Could also be a nod to racing, where going fast is more important than looks and you see chopped up and unfinished body panels. At least they don't try to hide anything: "Sure, it's a factory short bed, oh rats, the SPID got scratched....."

Re: Scars are in?
 

I think the idea behind the z cut on the rear is also meant to help blend out the difference in the body line since it drops as it goes back. It's very subtle, but if you look close you can tell when a bed has been shortened with a straight cut on the rear. There's just the slightest kink in the body line. The z cut pretty much eliminates that and spreads the transition out over several inches instead of one point.

:lol: