Should I convert to shortbed?

[Se7en Deuce]

So I recently purchased my 4.5/6 ECE for my 72 3/4 LWB.
I already have the front end from a 72 1/2ton and rear end to match.

Original plan was to just convert this to a 1/2 ton and drop it and drive it, but I came across a guy who will sell me a swb frame and fleetside bed in good condition for $400.

I like the lwb look but I see that swb trucks are worth more $, so Im wondering If I should by the frame and bed and make mine a shorty.

discuss.

[chevy88]

If you like the long wheelbase look for you, I would keep it long.

[capev86]

swb's look cool but a long bed is more practical. the route i might take in this case would be to swap all the stock 3/4 ton running gear onto the 1/2 ton frame and make yourself something the factory should have done just for kicks. i certainly dig the beefy track bar on the h.d. trucks! there are plenty of slammed 1/2 ton swb's out there, but you would instantly stand out in the crowd with your unique approach!

[rusty baker]

If it's a work truck, you will want the long bed. You can't haul much in a SWB. If it's for looks, it's whatever you like.

[culp7]

Originally Posted by capev86

swb's look cool but a long bed is more practical. the route i might take in this case would be to swap all the stock 3/4 ton running gear onto the 1/2 ton frame and make yourself something the factory should have done just for kicks. i certainly dig the beefy track bar on the h.d. trucks! there are plenty of slammed 1/2 ton swb's out there, but you would instantly stand out in the crowd with your unique approach!

x2

[junkyardjohn]

PERSONALLY I LIKE DRIVING SHORTBEDS & BLAZERS. $ ASIDE I'VE NEVER EVEN CONSIDERED DOING A LWB TRUCK. YOU PROBABLY WON'T LOSE AS MUCH MONEY, WHEN YOU DECIDE IT'S TIME TO SELL IT. BUT IT'S ALL A MATTER OF PERSONAL PREFERANCE. IF SOMEONE WILL SELL YOU A NICE SWB FRAME & FLEET BED FOR $400..... WELL THATS A SMOKIN DEAL EVEN IF YOU DON'T USE IT & SELL IT AS IS. JMHO. JOHN

[leddzepp]

Do it! If you ever go to sell it, SWB bring more money, period. This holds true no matter what year the truck is. $400 is a steal for a SWB frame and box if they are in good shape. I am doing the exact same thing....got a perfect 3/4 ton survivor and am converting it to 1/2 ton SWB. Click on my build thread to see pics.

[tim21391]

in my opinion shortbeds look really good but if your goin for the money option of being worth more.. in my opinion your truck wont reach shortbed price range since on the vin it was originally a long bed...

[GruntMoanCough]

IMO, keep the 3/4 ton as is and buy the SWB/bed and build another one.........C'mon, do it.

[Se7en Deuce]

Originally Posted by GruntMoanCough

IMO, keep the 3/4 ton as is and buy the SWB/bed and build another one.........C'mon, do it.

honestly I would love to do that but space and the wife probably wouldnt allow lol.

I know according to vin this will never be worth alot even as a short bed but I would assume just as a seller on craigs etc. it would bring more money as a shorty w a good frame.

[leddzepp]

Originally Posted by Se7en Deuce

honestly I would love to do that but space and the wife probably wouldnt allow lol.

I know according to vin this will never be worth alot even as a short bed but I would assume just as a seller on craigs etc. it would bring more money as a shorty w a good frame.

There is nothing in the VIN that indicates if a truck is LWB or SWB. The VIN does however tell you if the truck was 1/2 ton or 3/4 ton. Obviously if it was a 3/4 ton truck, it was LWB originally.
It will be worth more money as a converted short bed than it will be as a stock long bed (all other things being equal). I saw a 3/4 ton that was converted to a SWB sell for over 20K on Ebay.

[hicktownhotrodder]

Originally Posted by GruntMoanCough

IMO, keep the 3/4 ton as is and buy the SWB/bed and build another one.........C'mon, do it.

x3 its a deal you cant really pass up imo

[70cst]

Do what pleases you...I would never pay the same price for an original SWB verses a converted SWB.

[Hubscrub]

go with what you like, but i agree too, that is too good of a deal to pass up even if you don't use it

[OldSkool71]

I would say if you are doing it for the value factor...forget it...if your doing it because that is what you really want...and it will be a great deal less money to get it...then do it...My truck is converted and I love it...not really interested in what it will bring if I sell at this point...Cuz at the end of the day it is what it is now...just my 2 cents...good luck either way...and keep us posted if you do the conversion...Ron

[hugger6933]

I am in the same shap with my 70. It was a long and a really nice one at that . I decided that it needed to be short to bring the money it should demand. I plan on usig the long frame to go under my 3/4 ton just for the coil srings and a better ride . The truck that I am putting the long frame under I plan on keeping but I am sure it will be for sale as soon as the paint dries if not sooner .jim

[oldblue1968chevy]

thats a good deal im assuming it has title id be on that like white on rice!!!

[Se7en Deuce]

well i will buy the parts regardless since they are harder to find these days and it seems like a pretty good deal.
The thing is I dont need the 3/4ton capabilities, I just want a kool old truck to drive around now and then haha.
That being said im not looking to do an expensive restore job either, my thoughts were basically if i made it a swb and spent some $ on it and made it look clean then if the time ever came and I needed to sell it I could get more for it as a swb.
Im not building it to sell just getting some ideas