1972 GMC Shorty Conversion

[72Cheyenne454]

Well, after much debate I decided to convert my 1972 GMC 3/4 ton long bed into a 1/2 ton short bed. While looking for a short bed fleetside truck several years ago, I ran across this truck and could not pass it up. The truck is a two owner California rust free Sierra Grande - factory big block (has a 454 in it now), TH400, tilt, tach, cold AC, PS, PB and dual battery option. I drive the truck to work on the days that I don't car pool, usually two to three times per week. Since its my only mode of transportation besides my wife's SS Trailblazer, my dad and I installed a used Gear Vendor Overdrive last year to help increase fuel mileage as well as up my crusing speed to keep pace. The truck has served me well, but I have a desire to have a lowered short bed fleetside truck. Since buying this truck, I've continued to search for a clean 1/2 ton shorty for a decent price but they are few and far between. So, after following numerous post on this board, I made the decision to make my own shorty.

In order to convert the truck to 1/2 ton, I picked up a used 12 Bolt rear end that I'm in the process of freshening up. I also purchased a complete rear disc brake conversion set up which included drilled and slotted rotors, e-brake calipers, caliper brackets, e-brake cables, stainless brake lines, etc. For now, I'm planning on fabbing up my own flip kit since my truck has leaf springs. I will most likely swap over to a trailing arm/coil spring set up at a later date, but I'll stick with the leafs for now. I plan on taking out two or three leafs along with the overload spring to help soften the ride. For the front, I have ECE 2.5" (3/4 to 1/2 ton) dropped spindles, 2'' lowered springs, new drilled and slotted rotors, new calipers, pads, wheels bearings, stainless brake lines and lowered sway bar brackets to install on the 1 1/4" sway bar. I also picked up a new master cylinder, proportioning valve and hard lines to work with the 4 wheel disc set up. For wheels I picked up a set of truck rally's that I still need to detail and paint. I plan on running 245/60/15 up front and 275/60/15 in the rear. Once funds permit, I plan on upgrading to some 18's & 20's.

At this point, I've down all the mechanical work on the truck myself. To date, I've shortened the bed (LFD style - thanks!!), completely welded and ground down all the welds on the bed and then dropped it off to get sandblasted and primed. I could have stripped the bed myself, but the inside of the bed had mutiple layers of paint that was peeling off so I thought it would be best (and the easiest) to have the entire bed stripped and primed. After the stripping is complete, I'll drop the bed off at the body shop so they can work it over. After I finished the bed I started on the frame. I removed the rear axle, springs, exhaust, brake and fuel lines, etc to make way for the frame chop. I raised the cab up to allow for some room to work and then layed out my cut marks on the frame using the 45* method for shortening the frame. I cut the frame, removed the 12" sections and completed all the final adjustments needed to get everything lined back up. Once I "V" grind the ends of the frame rails and reinstall/line up the frame, I'll be ready to weld it.

Here are some progress pics. More pics to come...

[72Cheyenne454]

More pics

[72Cheyenne454]

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[72Cheyenne454]

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[72Cheyenne454]

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[72Cheyenne454]

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[72Cheyenne454]

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[72Cheyenne454]

And more pics..

[72Cheyenne454]

More pictures

[72Cheyenne454]

More pictures up my GMC shorty conversion

[72Cheyenne454]

GMC shorty pics

[Sinister]

Nice work!

[72Cheyenne454]

Originally Posted by Sinister

Nice work!

Thank you.

[gopokes]

Looks great!

[sgaylord]

Looks good. You guys out west are so lucky when it comes to rust. I envy you guys....

[kev2809]

man that came out flawless...great job man

[chevy88]

Perfect cutting, I hope I can cut that straight, I am cutting 12 inches behind my cab tomorrow but how much did you take out of frame, I see you wrote 20" on frame but I am sure you just took out 12 inches. Doesn't hurt to double check before I start cutting.

[72Cheyenne454]

Originally Posted by chevy88

Perfect cutting, I hope I can cut that straight, I am cutting 12 inches behind my cab tomorrow but how much did you take out of frame, I see you wrote 20" on frame but I am sure you just took out 12 inches. Doesn't hurt to double check before I start cutting.

The 20" comment on the frame was just a reference point I used. If you look at the pics, there are two factory holes in the frame that are exactly 20" apart. I used these two holes as a reference when I removed 12" of frame from underneath the the cab. Once the 12" has been removed and you slide the frame forward the two holes/scribe lines should be exactly 8" apart.

So to convert from a long to short, you'll need to remove 12" from the wheel base and 8" from the end of the frame.

Thanks for looking.

[crites_72]

On the bed how much do u take out?

[72Cheyenne454]

Originally Posted by crites_72

On the bed how much do u take out?

20" in total, 8" off the back and 12" up front.

[leddzepp]

Awesome work! Wanna shorten my bed so I don't have to buy new bedsides? I will pay you well! I bought a SWB frame, so I don't need to cut down the one I have. I am just up the road from you. I am doing the same thing, click on my build link below

[Hart_Rod]

Great photos! Can't wait to see it all back together.

[nuke1]

Very nice job done so far, that had to make you shed a tear to cut up a box so noce, i know I did when i cut mine, but whatever, short is the way to go! keep us up to date onthis one.

[72Cheyenne454]

Originally Posted by nuke1

Very nice job done so far, that had to make you shed a tear to cut up a box so noce, i know I did when i cut mine, but whatever, short is the way to go! keep us up to date onthis one.

Yeah, I went back and forth for months trying to decide whether or not I was going to cut it up. Finally decided...

Progress has slowed... having to work for a living sucks. Got the frame "V" ground and tacked back together. Should have it welded this weekend.

A few new pics... more to come.

[CheyenneShop]

Awesome job so far! You're right that is a very clean truck - hard to pass it up.

Are you going to change it over to Chevy? I only ask cause of your name?

Either way - great job so far and I looked forward to your progress.