Shorten a long bed? - The 1947 - Present Chevrolet & GMC Truck Message Board Network

Alan in Florida · 09-01-2007, 06:10 PM

I keep hearing people talking about shortening a long bed truck. Is this really practical? Has anyone out there done this sucessfully? Seems pretty scary to me!

krue · 09-01-2007, 07:18 PM

Welcome to the board from South Mississippi! Click on the index in my sig for a list of links, several of which show how to shorten the frame and bed.

cdowns · 09-01-2007, 08:54 PM

most attempts are failures and aborted projects // best way is to buy a bed and a short frame and swing the body and running gear to the short frame

Brad · 09-01-2007, 10:13 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by cdowns

most attempts are failures and aborted projects //

Perhaps down there they are, but not here in the NW. I've got one myself and like it a whole lot better than before. I get waaaaaaaaay more compliments too- even with 9 colors at last count.

As far as the original question, it's not scary at all if done correctly. Do a search here and you'll see lot's of articles. You might even see my build thread.

**LockDoc** · 09-01-2007, 10:27 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by cdowns

most attempts are failures and aborted projects // best way is to buy a bed and a short frame and swing the body and running gear to the short frame

Where in the world did you read that??? I don't remember reading one thread on this board about a frame shortening project going south on someone.... Not saying I didn't miss one but you would have to point it out to me. I did mine using Glocks method and it worked out great. I wouldn't hesitate to do another one...

LockDoc

Rokcrln · 09-02-2007, 02:15 AM

I think it is just one of those urbin miths if you ask me!

It starts on post 195 here http://67-72chevytrucks.com/vboard/s...=223158&page=8

Kevin
LFD Inc.

**Ricks1971** · 09-02-2007, 02:26 AM

I shortened 71 longbed 4X4 to a shortbed and It was pretty easy. I used these folks guide and frame inserts.
http://www.earlyclassic.com/tech.asp...20No!-Shortbed
Then I found a shortbed stepside ans it fit to a tee. My suggestion is the you get someone who has done some welding and fabrication work to do this right. welcome to the board!

LooseCannon · 09-02-2007, 01:32 PM

I've read many threads on successful long-short conversions and plan to shorten my long, once at that stage.

dan468 · 09-02-2007, 01:51 PM

measure twice cut once...not that hard to me

powell72 · 09-03-2007, 12:56 AM

It's done all the time in the big truck industry, as long as you know what you're doing it's perfectly fine.

wibilly · 09-03-2007, 02:13 AM

mesure it with a micromiter, mark it with a crayon and cut it with an axe. seriously i have a shortened 3/4 ton 4x4 with a shut box[not a shortened box} and a blazer frame with a shortened step box

jott_06 · 09-03-2007, 07:58 AM

This is a good thread. I am actually thinking about doing this myself. There isnt really that much involved in it from what i can see. Cut 12 inches from the middle, 6 or 8(Ive heard both?) from the rear run some new brake line on the back, have your drive shaft shortened, and either shorten your bed or throw a short bed on it and be done. Seems pretty simple to me.

O'l Buck · 09-03-2007, 09:21 AM

P/O shortened my 72, did not do a very nice job, just cut it straight down and welded it back together then gloved it...looks like crap, but is still holding, at least for now. it does drive nice though.

energiesource · 09-03-2007, 11:11 AM

Are most of you talking about the bed or the frame?
Shortening the bed is pretty retarded, id just buy the panels for $400 a piece. as for the frame, well id shorten it over buying a swb frame. the odds of finding one up here for me are impossible

Rokcrln · 09-03-2007, 12:26 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by energiesource

Are most of you talking about the bed or the frame?
Shortening the bed is pretty retarded,

I always thought I was retarded and now I know for sure. You know what they say, those who can, "do" and those who can't buy parts

Kevin
LFD Inc.

68GenIII · 09-03-2007, 01:06 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by energiesource

Are most of you talking about the bed or the frame?
Shortening the bed is pretty retarded, id just buy the panels for $400 a piece. as for the frame, well id shorten it over buying a swb frame. the odds of finding one up here for me are impossible

Whats more retarded? Spending $800+ on parts (dont forget about the inner bed sides) Or do it for free?
http://67-72chevytrucks.com/vboard/s...d.php?t=197851

Dingfodgy · 09-03-2007, 01:11 PM

[QUOTE=Rokcrln;2339957]I always thought I was retarded and now I know for sure. You know what they say, those who can, "do" and those who can't buy parts

Preach it Brotha! No truer words have been said. Any old bloke can go out and drop a grand on new bedsides. It takes a certain degree of intestinal fortitude to do a bunch of cutting, welding, grinding, bumping, grinding some more, welding some more, bumping some more, and on and on and on and on for what seems an eternity to take a LWB down to SWB!

BTW- I've followed project Pennicillin and Lemon Drop.....you are a metal magician- I totally envy your mad skills!

**1971K54X4** · 09-03-2007, 01:16 PM

kombreeze · 09-03-2007, 05:59 PM

"Trucks" last week had an episode on how to shorten a longbed. They used the 64 long bed and they made it look easy. They really gave people a good understanding on how to and what to expect.

energiesource · 09-03-2007, 06:06 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by 68GenIII

Whats more retarded? Spending $800+ on parts (dont forget about the inner bed sides) Or do it for free?
http://67-72chevytrucks.com/vboard/s...d.php?t=197851

well, the reason i see it to be 'retarded' is because my box is screwed up anyway, some chick hit it with her car, so i gotta buy new ones anyway, i guess if your truck is already done and you want to do it, then it would be a smart idea.

68GenIII · 09-03-2007, 07:57 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by energiesource

well, the reason i see it to be 'retarded' is because my box is screwed up anyway, some chick hit it with her car, so i gotta buy new ones anyway, i guess if your truck is already done and you want to do it, then it would be a smart idea.

Well thats a big piece of info you failed to mention

**WorkinLonghorn** · 09-03-2007, 09:01 PM

Quote:

I keep hearing people talking about shortening a long bed truck. Is this really practical?

No,it's not. You will end up with a "cute" truck that you can't use.

NONHOG · 09-03-2007, 09:23 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by WorkinLonghorn

No,it's not. You will end up with a "cute" truck that you can't use.

jamis · 09-04-2007, 12:02 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by WorkinLonghorn

Quote:
I keep hearing people talking about shortening a long bed truck. Is this really practical?

No,it's not. You will end up with a "cute" truck that you can't use.

Not True
I half dozen loose bowling balls inside a short bed will pick up less momentum in stop and go traffic in a short bed then in a long bed. And less momentum equates to less force that equates too less damage. So the short bed is more practical.

71tahoe · 09-04-2007, 02:38 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by jamis

Not True
I half dozen loose bowling balls inside a short bed will pick up less momentum in stop and go traffic in a short bed then in a long bed. And less momentum equates to less force that equates too less damage. So the short bed is more practical.

I've never had bowling balls loose in the bed of my truck. Aparently I've had smaller stuff but it wouldn't stay in because of a warped tailgate. I know this only because someone told me I lost my marbles when I bought that truck.

09-01-2007, 06:10 PM	#1
Alan in Florida Registered User Join Date: Aug 2007 Location: Kissimmee, Florida Posts: 3	Shorten a long bed? I keep hearing people talking about shortening a long bed truck. Is this really practical? Has anyone out there done this sucessfully? Seems pretty scary to me!

09-01-2007, 07:18 PM	#2
krue Designated A-hole! Join Date: Mar 2003 Location: South Mississippi Posts: 36,450	Re: Shorten a long bed? Welcome to the board from South Mississippi! Click on the index in my sig for a list of links, several of which show how to shorten the frame and bed. __________________ "If it ain't broke, fix it 'til it is!" Being stupid ain't illegal. We're Still Debt Free Except for the House!!! www.daveramsey.com 70 GMC SWB Stepside project "Green Booger" soon to be 6.0l/4l80e 93 S-10 "Poppaw's Truck"

09-01-2007, 08:54 PM	#3
cdowns Senior Member Join Date: Jan 2003 Location: daytonabeach Posts: 22,956	Re: Shorten a long bed? most attempts are failures and aborted projects // best way is to buy a bed and a short frame and swing the body and running gear to the short frame __________________ 71c-10 350/2004r/4:11 lowered3/4 longbed/dead by hurricane MEANING OF DEATH::::: SOMEBODY ELSE GETS YOUR STUFF DONT BELIEVE EVERYTHING YOU THINK TAKE MY ADVISE;I DON'T USE IT ANYWAY

09-02-2007, 02:15 AM	#6
Rokcrln Senior Member Join Date: Jul 2005 Location: Winters Ca. 95694 Posts: 4,843	Re: Shorten a long bed? I think it is just one of those urbin miths if you ask me! It starts on post 195 here http://67-72chevytrucks.com/vboard/s...=223158&page=8 Kevin LFD Inc. Attached Images

09-02-2007, 02:26 AM	#7
Ricks1971 Senior Member Join Date: Mar 2006 Location: Clarkrange Tennessee Posts: 1,774	Re: Shorten a long bed? I shortened 71 longbed 4X4 to a shortbed and It was pretty easy. I used these folks guide and frame inserts. http://www.earlyclassic.com/tech.asp...20No!-Shortbed Then I found a shortbed stepside ans it fit to a tee. My suggestion is the you get someone who has done some welding and fabrication work to do this right. welcome to the board!

09-02-2007, 01:32 PM	#8
LooseCannon Registered User Join Date: Mar 2004 Location: Boiling Springs, PA Posts: 391	Re: Shorten a long bed? I've read many threads on successful long-short conversions and plan to shorten my long, once at that stage. Last edited by LooseCannon; 09-02-2007 at 01:33 PM.

09-02-2007, 01:51 PM	#9
dan468 Registered User Join Date: Nov 2006 Location: Sun City, Arizona Posts: 430	Re: Shorten a long bed? measure twice cut once...not that hard to me __________________ 68 C-10 Build thread http://67-72chevytrucks.com/vboard/s...d.php?t=414699

09-03-2007, 12:56 AM	#10
powell72 Senior Member Join Date: Jan 2005 Location: Loveland Co. Posts: 3,098	Re: Shorten a long bed? It's done all the time in the big truck industry, as long as you know what you're doing it's perfectly fine. __________________ Chris 74 Custom Deluxe SWB 350/350/3.73’s 99 2wd Silverado RCSB 5.3/4L60/3.90’s http://www.classictrucks.com/feature...short_bed.html

09-03-2007, 02:13 AM	#11
wibilly Senior Member Join Date: Nov 2005 Location: northwestern wi Posts: 2,111	Re: Shorten a long bed? mesure it with a micromiter, mark it with a crayon and cut it with an axe. seriously i have a shortened 3/4 ton 4x4 with a shut box[not a shortened box} and a blazer frame with a shortened step box __________________ common sense isn't so common anymore

09-03-2007, 07:58 AM	#12
jott_06 Camaro Club Join Date: Jun 2007 Location: ohio Posts: 472	Re: Shorten a long bed? This is a good thread. I am actually thinking about doing this myself. There isnt really that much involved in it from what i can see. Cut 12 inches from the middle, 6 or 8(Ive heard both?) from the rear run some new brake line on the back, have your drive shaft shortened, and either shorten your bed or throw a short bed on it and be done. Seems pretty simple to me.

09-03-2007, 09:21 AM	#13
O'l Buck Recovering Truck Driver Join Date: Mar 2002 Location: Orleans, NE USA Posts: 1,883	Re: Shorten a long bed? P/O shortened my 72, did not do a very nice job, just cut it straight down and welded it back together then gloved it...looks like crap, but is still holding, at least for now. it does drive nice though. __________________ 67 K-20 350, SM465, Eaton rear, 4.56 no spin option 00 Dodge 2500 4x4, 24V cummins, 5 speed Chad South Central Nebraska

09-03-2007, 11:11 AM	#14
energiesource Registered User Join Date: Apr 2007 Location: Edmonton, AB, CAN Posts: 346	Re: Shorten a long bed? Are most of you talking about the bed or the frame? Shortening the bed is pretty retarded, id just buy the panels for $400 a piece. as for the frame, well id shorten it over buying a swb frame. the odds of finding one up here for me are impossible

09-03-2007, 01:11 PM	#17
Dingfodgy Lemme show you something!! Join Date: Apr 2007 Location: St.Helens, OR. Posts: 876	Re: Shorten a long bed? [QUOTE=Rokcrln;2339957]I always thought I was retarded and now I know for sure. You know what they say, those who can, "do" and those who can't buy parts Preach it Brotha! No truer words have been said. Any old bloke can go out and drop a grand on new bedsides. It takes a certain degree of intestinal fortitude to do a bunch of cutting, welding, grinding, bumping, grinding some more, welding some more, bumping some more, and on and on and on and on for what seems an eternity to take a LWB down to SWB! BTW- I've followed project Pennicillin and Lemon Drop.....you are a metal magician- I totally envy your mad skills! __________________ '67 CST-10 LWB ("Crusty") SOLD '67 GMC SWB ("Murdock") 2000 K1500 Suburban ("Betty") '95 BMW 325i ("Joy")

09-03-2007, 01:16 PM	#18
1971K54X4 Member Join Date: Jan 2007 Location: Manchester, Iowa Posts: 1,493	Re: Shorten a long bed? __________________ Korey 1955 Bel Air 2 door hardtop 1971 Blazer 4x4 1973 Z-28 Prostreet

09-03-2007, 05:59 PM	#19
kombreeze Registered User Join Date: Jul 2006 Location: Fresno, Ca Posts: 154	Re: Shorten a long bed? "Trucks" last week had an episode on how to shorten a longbed. They used the 64 long bed and they made it look easy. They really gave people a good understanding on how to and what to expect. __________________ 68 chevy truck 70 Datsun 510 2000 Nissan Sentra 2006 Toyo Camry Soon 69 Firebird 400 Convertible I'm getting it back Soon Trailblazer or 4 Runner



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