Longbed-Shortbed Conversion
 

I'm sure you've noticed the popularity of short beds v.s. long beds. I myself own a longbed, and I love it. But I must admit, I wouldn't mind having a short bed. The beautiful thing about short beds are they're easy to make look good, and they look really good dropped. Long beds can look just as good if not better than short beds, but you have to get it right. Restoring a short bed is not easier, but you're more likely to end up with something everyone loves.

And that leads me to my question. Has anybody modified their longbed into a short bed? And if so, how'd it go?

It turns out it's not only possible, but appearingly easy. LMC Truck paired up with the T.V show "Gearz", to give you an illustration of how one might do this.

The process was pretty simple:
1- Remove the bed
2- Measure and cut a section from the chassis
3-Fit together and weld the chassis back together
4-Install a short bed

The whole process can be watched on YouTube, and the first video can be found here, @https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=O9zy08qsahk&feature=youtube_gdata_player

**The rest of the show can be watched in separate videos on the suggestions below the video


So, take a look at the video, and tell me what you think! I would love to hear any stories!

Re: Longbed-Shortbed Conversion
 

its done all the time on here. id rather have a long bed myself.

Re: Longbed-Shortbed Conversion
 

And to go through the effort to shorten a truck means you are literally working way too hard to be like every one else. If you're gonna put the effort in, you should take an eight foot bed truck, and make it into a ten foot bed. Make some brains explode.

Re: Longbed-Shortbed Conversion
 

:lol: i agree with you

Re: Longbed-Shortbed Conversion
 

My crew was shortened, cuz I don't need an 8 footer. 14 inches in front of the axle, 7 behind. Jay

Re: Longbed-Shortbed Conversion
 

I did one last year. I just happen to like shortbeds. Those who have been on here a while know I've built a pile of shortbeds over the years. Its a straightforward job on a 73-87 truck.

http://i276.photobucket.com/albums/k...project004.jpg

http://i276.photobucket.com/albums/k...d30ca4e14f.jpg

http://i276.photobucket.com/albums/k...18fd783390.jpg

http://i276.photobucket.com/albums/k...E61F6AFACA.jpg

http://i276.photobucket.com/albums/k...98575ADB22.jpg

http://i276.photobucket.com/albums/k...ab05d09990.jpg

Re: Longbed-Shortbed Conversion
 

Sounds like you ~do~ care (grin).

I did one last spring, exactly as Tx Firefighter did (same cut, same weld, same fish plate and everything). I, too, happen to like short box trucks. They are also super scarce where I am. I had a long box. I also had a plasma cutter, and a welder, and I wasn't afraid to use either.

It wasn't hard to do at all. A bit time consuming, but care and attention-to-detail means less mistakes.

Good luck! And post pictures of the job!

Re: Longbed-Shortbed Conversion
 

I like the comment about a 10' bed----that would make me look twice for sure! :-)

I have a short bed and a long bed, short bed looks nice but the long bed is the smoothest truck I have ever driven --- great for Sunday drives !!

Re: Longbed-Shortbed Conversion
 

I'm more a man of utility. Lifted trucks allow for bigger tires, which handles difficult terrain better. Longer beds allow for more stuff. As an added bonus, larger lifts look better with longer trucks. If I could, I would have a quad-cab long bed.

Re: Longbed-Shortbed Conversion
 

bigger tanks and more room. lb def has the advantage.

Re: Longbed-Shortbed Conversion
 

I did the same thing too. I like the idea of having a crew cab short bed, a vehicle GM never made (but should have). It also fits in my driveway a lot better as a short bed than it did as a long bed.

Re: Longbed-Shortbed Conversion
 

has anyone made a longbed box into a shortbed . If so where do you cut on the box.

Re: Longbed-Shortbed Conversion
 

Wonderfull thing about these trucks. Long or short you can have six in your backyard each one radically different than the others. But still they are all the same truck.

Re: Longbed-Shortbed Conversion
 

Personally I think long beds look way better lifted and short beds look way better lowered.

RIZ

Re: Longbed-Shortbed Conversion
 

I appreciate your opinions ,but that still doesnt tell me where to cut the box to make it a shortbed

Re: Longbed-Shortbed Conversion
 

Few people cut the beds down. That's much more common on earlier model trucks. As yet, 73/87 beds are plentiful enough that most guys can find one. That's why you're not getting much response on the process of shortening the bed itself. I'm sure it will become more common as the short bed supply further dries up.

Re: Longbed-Shortbed Conversion
 

The thing is I have 2 sets of long box sides.I Know how to cut down a 67-72 bed but how much and where do I cut a 73-87 bed . Surely some has done this.

Re: Longbed-Shortbed Conversion
 

Cut behind the forward box mounting hole.

http://gwellwood.com/wordpress/wp-co...3s-480x358.jpg

Cut 5 to 6" off the back. I cut 5".

http://gwellwood.com/wordpress/wp-co...25-480x360.jpg

You will likely need to drill a new box mounting hole here:

http://gwellwood.com/wordpress/wp-co...27-480x360.jpg

My write-up is here: http://www.gwellwood.com/project-car...ing-the-frame/

I was going to cut down my box, but had to start with this, so I didn't:

http://gwellwood.com/wordpress/wp-co...32-480x360.jpg

Since the box doesn't really have any "style" along the sides, I would remove from the front edge of the box, and from right behind the tail lights.

I had lucked out and found a local short box for slightly more cost than replacement wheel arches for the ratty long box.

Re: Longbed-Shortbed Conversion
 

does anyone have the measurements for a shortbox . Measurement from front of box to wheelwell. Measurement from rear of box to wheelwell. Thanks . Sorry but shortboxes are hard to find up here. I have 2 longboxes that I would like to cut down for a crewcab Im building.

Re: Longbed-Shortbed Conversion
 

I can take a measurement on mine when I get home from work tonight and let you know. Someone else may respond before then.

Re: Longbed-Shortbed Conversion
 

This is a build I following with a bed cut down for a short box. If you got the parts, the time and skills give it a go.

http://67-72chevytrucks.com/vboard/s...d.php?t=422169

Re: Longbed-Shortbed Conversion
 

I second this. Also in my neck of the woods you put a crossover toolbox in and use up some room. Nothing looks worse to me than a 6 foot bed truck with a big tool box in it. Might as well have an explorer sport or an avalanche. I think camper shells look can look bettrr on longbeds too. I prefer 3/4 and 1 ton trucks and the longer wheel base helps with ride quality in my opinion. :metal:

Re: Longbed-Shortbed Conversion
 

like the op said it doesnt to make a short bed look good. so to me make a longbed look good you have accomplished something and stayed out of the norm cookie cutter. you get the same thing with a body gms. 10 chevelles for one skylark or cutlass. that said ppl will forget about the chevelle when a nice skylark is setting beside it cause it stands out.

Re: Longbed-Shortbed Conversion
 

I have a 78 C20 crew cab long bed that I want to make a short bed. I've seen many ways to do it on here and 67-72chevy but I'm curious as to why hasn't anyone just cut 20" off the rear of the frame instead of messing around splicing the frame? All I would have to do then is make new holes for the rear bed mounts and setup my 4 link to square the rear end, unless I'm missing something. Is this for guys who want to just move the rear suspension forward or is the frame not long enough in the rear with a straight shot to relocate the rear bed mounts?

Re: Longbed-Shortbed Conversion
 

This guy knows that's up...

http://www.ebay.com/itm/1983-chevy-K...p2047675.l2557

Re: Longbed-Shortbed Conversion
 

I spent some real time poking around your website. Great stuff there. You got me to wanting another Nissan pickup after reading about your adventures. My first truck that I built was a Nissan.

Re: Longbed-Shortbed Conversion
 

several have mentioned the better ride with a long bed, I have a crew cab short bed (1/2 ton) and it rides great with the add'd wheel base the crew cab add's.
I've always preferd short bed to long bed's but I do see the benefit of a long bed , its just harder to make em look good.

Re: Longbed-Shortbed Conversion
 

I personally like the LWB, they look sleeker going down the road... As was said, if they are set right...

Re: Longbed-Shortbed Conversion
 

Thanks!

Re: Longbed-Shortbed Conversion
 

This was actually a question. Any help would be appreciated

Slim

Re: Longbed-Shortbed Conversion
 

There was a truck on here that was done that way, IIRC. You might be able to get away with it on a 1/2 ton, but on my 3/4 ton the height of the rails makes me think it might be a limiting factor, unless you cut off some of the height of the rail. At that point, it might just be easier to section them.

Re: Longbed-Shortbed Conversion
 

That's what I was thinking too. I'm trying to figure it all out with the bed still attached. Well I guess there's no other way around it. Sectioning it from the middle definitely will take so more time removing/relocating gas tanks and all

Thanks much

Re: Longbed-Shortbed Conversion
 

You will have to drill the holes for the rear gas tank mounts too. I used the sections of frame that were cut out as a fishplate and sleeve and it worked out pretty slick, too.

Re: Longbed-Shortbed Conversion
 

Do you have any pics of your setup ??

Slim

Re: Longbed-Shortbed Conversion
 

you will have to use 16 gal tanks (SWB), 20 gal (LWB) will not fit, it can all be done in a day if you have everything lined up. the drive shaft would be the only issue, most have there cut done. On mine I went from 1ton to half ton so I need'd a new shaft. I discover'd that front half from a late '80 Suburban and a mid '80's Delta 88 work out to be the perfect length .

Re: Longbed-Shortbed Conversion
 

I may just use the aluminum 18 gallon fuel cell that I have. The drive shaft may need to be new cause I just found a cheap 700r4 that I'm going to throw in there