1955 chevy 1300 project
 

Hi I am a newbie to this site,This is my 1955 Chevrolet 1300 1/2 ton project.The truck sat on a relatives farm in alberta ,Canada for 40 years.So far I have cut the frame and box to achieve the short bed dimensions.It is a six cylinder manual trans model.

Re: 1955 chevy 1300 project
 

Welcome to the site, I am planning on cutting down my 59 longbed to a shortbed this summer. Do you have any pictures of cutting the frame down?

Click the link in my signature to check out my build thread.

Re: 1955 chevy 1300 project
 

Hi Thanks,I cut 9.25 inches from frame,The cut starts at the cab mount bracket back.Then took the front of bed off and drilled out the spot welds holding the steak pocket on and then cut the same amount off the bed sides then spot welded the pocket back on.

Re: 1955 chevy 1300 project
 

This is the before.

Re: 1955 chevy 1300 project
 

Welcome.
Be sure and document your build as others will like the info on the changes you make.
Kim

Re: 1955 chevy 1300 project
 

Welcome.

I'm glad you're shortening both ends of the bed. There was a guy near my house when I was a kid that had a 58 with a "1/2 short" bed. He'd cut the rear of the bed but left the front at stock length. It just looked wrong.

Re: 1955 chevy 1300 project
 

Hi, thanks. One thing Iv come to understand is there must have been 3 different lengths of beds, I only shortened the 9.25 inches from the front.?

Re: 1955 chevy 1300 project
 

55-57 Longbed stepsides where only longer in front of the fender. 58-59 Longbed stepsides are longer in front and behind the fender. The shortbeds are the same length from 55-87.

Re: 1955 chevy 1300 project
 

nice job on the frame shortening. i'm glad to see some people still know how to build things properly (not directed to anyone here)

Re: 1955 chevy 1300 project
 

Thanks, plan is to shorten the driveshaft and get the brakes working then drive it once before taking it apart and start on the rust repair . When I got it last summer I put a battery in it and a set of points and with a little fuel down the carburator it started. It hasn't run in 30 odd years. Plans are to do a full restoration with ifs suspension and a v8.