"progress" on my longbed to shortbed project..
 

so after having already shortened the frame on my truck years ago, I have been struggling trying to find a shortbed to put on it. the long bed i had was beyond repair or shortening, being far too dented and rusted to make it worth the effort. I located a good drivers short fleet bedside, and an excellent pass. side long fleet bedside. here are some pics of what i have done so far....


heres the bed mocked up more or less. ive found it very hard to align the cut bedside parts to each other for welding unless everything is more less sitting as it will be when its all put together.
http://img3.uploadhouse.com/fileuplo...c30e84d47d.jpg

I feel pretty good about the way the inside here, its all matching up perfectly.
http://img4.uploadhouse.com/fileuplo...4a066cb2e7.jpg

the best about this side is that there are not dents on it and it still bears the original paint.
http://img9.uploadhouse.com/fileuplo...a851a7cdf0.jpg

ill cut and weld any day before ill fill a bedside up with bondo.
http://img2.uploadhouse.com/fileuplo...26dc6bd1ce.jpg

this end is a bit worse. as you can see the cut wasnt as good and it needed to be. ill have to adress this a bit farther down the road.
http://img6.uploadhouse.com/fileuplo...ff726a00b6.jpg

Anyways, I hope this is useful to someone. I havent really read up on the proper way to do this, so I am learning as i go. Any tips, pointers or sympathies would be appreciated.

Re: "progress" on my longbed to shortbed project..
 

Cool! Nice work. have you started a build thread to keep all the progress together?

Re: "progress" on my longbed to shortbed project..
 

not sure if you know this i didnt until capt. fab told me the longbed has a bigger wheel well opening than the shortbed. i was going to do the same thing and still might have to but it will have to be cut in the center as well to match.

Re: "progress" on my longbed to shortbed project..
 

yep x2 check the wheelwells.

Re: "progress" on my longbed to shortbed project..
 

Scotts62: I haven't yet but i might make this one the beginning of one...

I seriously didnt know there was a difference between the wheel spacings. so am i dont for? did i just destroy a perfectly good long bedside? Where do I need to measure?

Re: "progress" on my longbed to shortbed project..
 

Do you still have the old long bed sides. Just cut the wheel opening out of it and put it in place of your short side opening. I wanna say they are like 3" in difference
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Re: "progress" on my longbed to shortbed project..
 

Yes the lwb wheel opening in the fleetside is 3" wider then the swb.

On a side note, what are those clips? Im new to attemping body work and have not seen those before.

Re: "progress" on my longbed to shortbed project..
 

my buddies keep telling me you cant look at both sides at the same time, but i believe it would drive me crazy knowing it was that way, which would be a short cruise anyway. lol. in other words if it maks you happy leave it alone drill out the stake pocket spot welds and pull it and weld up the hole, tada you have a bedside.

Re: "progress" on my longbed to shortbed project..
 

Those welding clamps can be purchased at Harbor Freight or, if you want to spend triple the price for the exact same clamp, Eastwood sells them.

Re: "progress" on my longbed to shortbed project..
 

Murdoc,

Is that the long bed side you got from me? If so, I have it's mate still sitting out here!

Re: "progress" on my longbed to shortbed project..
 

Who cares if there's a 3" difference in the wheelwell size? Takes a real fanatic to spot it, and I've seen people on here say the longbed wheelwell looks better on the shortbox anyway.
Full disclosure: Mines like that, and I think it looks great. On to bodywork!
Ralph

Re: "progress" on my longbed to shortbed project..
 

777ralph: thats my philosophy exactly!! i appreciate that input. in all the years ive looked at and admired these trucks, ive never seen the difference a fore mentioned, although i do appreciate it being brought to my attention.

Jason: the bedside you donated to the project is still intact, altho that will probably change this weekend. I appreciate the contribution and i hope it wont be in vain. Thanks again man!! when we gonna get together and work on your project?

Re: "progress" on my longbed to shortbed project..
 

No problem!! We appreciate your donation for the contribution!! The heater controls will work nicely. If you need the drivers side, let me know. It is just sitting out there, all lonely, getting rustier and rustier. I'm sure we can work out another trade!!

Re: "progress" on my longbed to shortbed project..
 

I too think the long wheel base on the shorties look better... If I was to cut my LB down I would keep the original LB spacing........

It looks good but it also looks like a lot of hard work.......

Re: "progress" on my longbed to shortbed project..
 

looks good keep us updated

Re: "progress" on my longbed to shortbed project..
 

Just another perspective w/no significant value..... 3" difference on both sides? Sure. It's different but symmetrical. 3" on one side but not the other? That's a lack of concern for 'details' or being lazy.

If it's just a beater/work truck where function, safety, & mechanical soundness are priority, it's not a big deal. If it's anything more, I'd re-think the 'who-cares' philosophy . . ....

Re: "progress" on my longbed to shortbed project..
 

Although trucks like ours are very common in the southern farmland here in Idaho, rarely do we ever encounter 1/2 ton short fleet trucks here. I would say 90% of all the trucks around here were base model, long bed, four speed trucks. We do what we can with what we have.

*I did measure and investigate both wheel wells on my bed, and yes, there is about a 2'' to 3'' difference. That said, I dont think I ever would have noticed were it not mentioned here in this thread.

*I did the headlight relay conversion yesterday and felt really good about it the placement of the relays. They are completely hidden from view, yet accessible when the window washer fluid container is removed.



heres one pic of the location, nasty cell phone pic but u get the idea.....
http://img3.uploadhouse.com/fileuplo...b3f36ec612.jpg


rusty nut and bolt removal. The nut actually cracked inside of the socket. A first for me. Proof that craftsman tools aren't all that bad..
http://img9.uploadhouse.com/fileuplo...c8d243164c.jpg


Here's a shot of the beat up pass. bedside that im replacing. Now that I'm looking at it again, maybe its really not that bad...:lol:
http://img5.uploadhouse.com/fileuplo...3f276937bf.jpg


Here's an interior shot, I don't know why....
http://img3.uploadhouse.com/fileuplo...edf51b50cc.jpg



I'm gonna try to post some more pics of my bedside welding tomorrow. I think I'll be welding by then.