Long bed to Short... - The 1947 - Present Chevrolet & GMC Truck Message Board Network

MILLER TIME · 03-11-2011, 12:56 AM

What is the easiest way to convert a long bed frame into a short bed...?

Twisted Elegance · 03-11-2011, 01:59 AM

http://67-72chevytrucks.com/vboard/s...d.php?t=123624

http://67chevyc10shorty.blogspot.com/

bigblock73 · 03-11-2011, 02:03 AM

http://www.73-87.com/7387garage/chas...lwb_to_swb.htm

MILLER TIME · 03-12-2011, 11:13 PM

Anyone know how much this would cost if the bed was already off and everything...?

MILLER TIME · 03-12-2011, 11:14 PM

And thanks for all the help as well!

78maliburat · 03-13-2011, 12:22 AM

I DID MINE YESTERDAY

**N2TRUX** · 03-14-2011, 10:35 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by 78maliburat

I DID MINE YESTERDAY

I really hope that is not the finished product. I would be very concerned with the integrity of that splice.

If you want to see how it should be done take a look below-

78maliburat · 03-21-2011, 12:34 AM

HAHA WHATEVER

1BadSS · 03-21-2011, 12:51 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by 78maliburat

HAHA WHATEVER

No really, that's a horrible cut. I'd be afraid to drive that truck on the street like that.

**N2TRUX** · 03-21-2011, 10:59 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by 78maliburat

HAHA WHATEVER

Shrug it off if you like, but that is poor construction. As for having a your "96 pete" done the same way, that scares me even more. I'm no expert on Peterbuilt frames, but I was under the impression they were heat treated and you should never drill or cut them.

It's your truck so do as you see fit. Just don't post it as an example of how a frame splice should be done and not expect to get negative feedback.

**hatzie** · 03-26-2011, 07:33 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by 78maliburat

HAHA WHATEVER

Geez. That will never pass a state safety inspection or insurance inquiry.

N2TRUX showed pictures of the right way to execute a frame repair.

If that truck were involved in an accident the driver and maybe the welder would be held financially responsible. Maybe even criminally responsible for a frame failure due to improper repair procedures.

Insurance companies will completely void all coverage in accidents where they find improper frame modifications. The driver will be left completely responsible for any property damage and injuries. If the driver knows who did the mod they will likely sue them.

State police investigators and insurance investigators will not be as amused as you. The gummint can be very unpleasant when they notice you.

bigblock73 · 03-21-2011, 01:14 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by 78maliburat

I DID MINE YESTERDAY

Doesn't look like you even prepped the metal before you started welding, at least on the bottom fish plate. Glad I don't have to share the road with you. You should really take into consideration the feedback you have been given, after all it is to help you, not be mean to you.

MILLER TIME · 03-13-2011, 11:29 PM

What did you do just mark 14" out and cut it out? have you mounted the bed back yet?

franky69c10 · 03-14-2011, 12:46 AM

78maliburat Nice work

any pics with the bed on it yet and what did u do for the drive line and gas tanks
Posted via Mobile Device

78maliburat · 03-14-2011, 03:44 AM

My buddy has a step side bed i might use ,putting swb tank on it , about done with the motor also

franky69c10 · 03-14-2011, 09:57 PM

Any more pics when u were cutting it down
Posted via Mobile Device

67swb72klb · 03-21-2011, 06:28 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by MILLER TIME

What is the easiest way to convert a long bed frame into a short bed...?

he did say EASYEST

BigBlocksRule · 03-21-2011, 06:51 PM

Easiest is to find a good short frame, use a hoist and swap everything across.
You guys should try doing this to an '88 - '98, those frames are hourglass shaped and a royal pain. I'm grafting a '97 1-ton 4x4 front frame clip onto a '94 cab & chassis, then shortening the frame to shortbed length and converting to dually along with 4-link. Cool thing about the cab & chassis is they have straight frame rails, a lot like the '73 - '87 trucks, much easier to work with. Frames are welded under the front of the cab, I'm grinding welds to separate them, then slipping them back together just like the factory did. It'll be a lot of work, but there will be no welds on the frame other than in the factory location.
Oh, engine will be pump gas 565, looking to burn 6 at a time

rayfinseats · 03-26-2011, 08:29 PM

N2TRUX did it right but that other picture 78MALIBU would probably hold since he put a brace on the bottom. NOT how I would do it but I'm not driving that truck so I don't care. If there was a plate welded on the backside like in that other picture it would be alright. There are 3 ways to do things. The right way, the kinda right way, and the way the idiot that owned my truck stripped the lug nuts and spliced the wires about every 4 inches.

BigBlocksRule · 03-26-2011, 08:34 PM

It would help a lot to box that section in with a 2' piece of plate adjacent to the butt weld.

03-11-2011, 12:56 AM	#1
MILLER TIME Registered User Join Date: Jan 2011 Location: Fort Worth, TX Posts: 54	Long bed to Short... What is the easiest way to convert a long bed frame into a short bed...? __________________ Doin Work! Little At A Time....

03-11-2011, 01:59 AM	#2
Twisted Elegance Registered User Join Date: Oct 2009 Location: Beloit, Wi. Posts: 27	Re: Long bed to Short... http://67-72chevytrucks.com/vboard/s...d.php?t=123624 http://67chevyc10shorty.blogspot.com/

03-11-2011, 02:03 AM	#3
bigblock73 yeller Join Date: Oct 2001 Location: Twin Cities Posts: 13,824	Re: Long bed to Short... http://www.73-87.com/7387garage/chas...lwb_to_swb.htm __________________ Jeff 73-87.com 73-87.com Facebook page 73-87 cab corner 6x9 speaker brackets for sale 67-72 cab corner speaker brackets for sale 47-54 cab corner speaker brackets for sale

03-12-2011, 11:13 PM	#4
MILLER TIME Registered User Join Date: Jan 2011 Location: Fort Worth, TX Posts: 54	Re: Long bed to Short... Anyone know how much this would cost if the bed was already off and everything...? __________________ Doin Work! Little At A Time....

03-12-2011, 11:14 PM	#5
MILLER TIME Registered User Join Date: Jan 2011 Location: Fort Worth, TX Posts: 54	Re: Long bed to Short... And thanks for all the help as well! __________________ Doin Work! Little At A Time....

03-13-2011, 12:22 AM	#6
78maliburat Registered User Join Date: Jul 2009 Location: cleburne texas Posts: 174	Re: Long bed to Short... I DID MINE YESTERDAY Last edited by 78maliburat; 03-13-2011 at 12:23 AM.

03-21-2011, 12:34 AM	#8
78maliburat Registered User Join Date: Jul 2009 Location: cleburne texas Posts: 174	Re: Long bed to Short... HAHA WHATEVER

03-13-2011, 11:29 PM	#13
MILLER TIME Registered User Join Date: Jan 2011 Location: Fort Worth, TX Posts: 54	Re: Long bed to Short... What did you do just mark 14" out and cut it out? have you mounted the bed back yet? __________________ Doin Work! Little At A Time....

03-14-2011, 12:46 AM	#14
franky69c10 chevy runs deep Join Date: Mar 2006 Location: PHOENIX AZ Posts: 1,074	Re: Long bed to Short... 78maliburat Nice work any pics with the bed on it yet and what did u do for the drive line and gas tanks Posted via Mobile Device __________________ RAIDER NATION 1969 c10 swb soon 2 b on the road... My LWB is a SWB now http://67-72chevytrucks.com/vboard/s...d.php?t=498241

03-14-2011, 03:44 AM	#15
78maliburat Registered User Join Date: Jul 2009 Location: cleburne texas Posts: 174	Re: Long bed to Short... My buddy has a step side bed i might use ,putting swb tank on it , about done with the motor also

03-14-2011, 09:57 PM	#16
franky69c10 chevy runs deep Join Date: Mar 2006 Location: PHOENIX AZ Posts: 1,074	Re: Long bed to Short... Any more pics when u were cutting it down Posted via Mobile Device __________________ RAIDER NATION 1969 c10 swb soon 2 b on the road... My LWB is a SWB now http://67-72chevytrucks.com/vboard/s...d.php?t=498241

03-21-2011, 06:51 PM	#18
BigBlocksRule Registered User Join Date: Jun 2008 Location: Lubbock, TX Posts: 2,047	Re: Long bed to Short... Easiest is to find a good short frame, use a hoist and swap everything across. You guys should try doing this to an '88 - '98, those frames are hourglass shaped and a royal pain. I'm grafting a '97 1-ton 4x4 front frame clip onto a '94 cab & chassis, then shortening the frame to shortbed length and converting to dually along with 4-link. Cool thing about the cab & chassis is they have straight frame rails, a lot like the '73 - '87 trucks, much easier to work with. Frames are welded under the front of the cab, I'm grinding welds to separate them, then slipping them back together just like the factory did. It'll be a lot of work, but there will be no welds on the frame other than in the factory location. Oh, engine will be pump gas 565, looking to burn 6 at a time

03-26-2011, 08:29 PM	#19
rayfinseats Registered User Join Date: Dec 2010 Location: sioux city, iowa Posts: 619	Re: Long bed to Short... N2TRUX did it right but that other picture 78MALIBU would probably hold since he put a brace on the bottom. NOT how I would do it but I'm not driving that truck so I don't care. If there was a plate welded on the backside like in that other picture it would be alright. There are 3 ways to do things. The right way, the kinda right way, and the way the idiot that owned my truck stripped the lug nuts and spliced the wires about every 4 inches. Last edited by rayfinseats; 03-26-2011 at 08:40 PM.

03-26-2011, 08:34 PM	#20
BigBlocksRule Registered User Join Date: Jun 2008 Location: Lubbock, TX Posts: 2,047	Re: Long bed to Short... It would help a lot to box that section in with a 2' piece of plate adjacent to the butt weld.

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