47-55.1 Bed Measurement Request

[Rabid Anti-Dentite]

My new project truck is getting delivered in a few weeks, its a 55 Series 1 3100 Short Bed. I am looking to see if anyone can provide me with a measurement while I wait.

Looking for the distance from the front of the bed to the front of the rear fender, and the distance from the back of the bed to the back of the rear fender.

Thanks for the help!!

[mongocanfly]

Mine Is 7 and 17....

[Rabid Anti-Dentite]

Thank you for the measurements. I am going to be using an S-10 chassis, and the wheel base is off. So the more I look at the pictures of my 55, I think it might look good with the bedside lengths closer to even. I am going to make a bedside out of plywood first, bolt the fender to it, and cut down the front to get an idea of the look.

[mongocanfly]

A 55 1st bed side has recesses where the fenders fit the bed....moving the fender on the bedside won't work out...which s10 are you using?...it's been covered on how to adj the wb so it fits better...a lab reg cab is the one you want....or were you planning on shortening the bed?

[Rabid Anti-Dentite]

I was planning on cutting where the stake post mount is, sliding it back 9 inches and doing new spot welds. The fender would stay in the original location, but now the gaps between the front and rear of the bed sides would be more symmetrical. I am actually using a 4 door 2002 blazer frame, easier to find then the S-10 where I am living now. I did a 54 last year on the reg cab long bed frame and it turned out nice, but I have just always though the bed height and length looked a little off, so I was gonna change it this go around.

[dsraven]

you can get s10 specs at:

https://www.gmupfitter.com/pdflists/view/6


scroll through for frame dimensions etc

this site also has specs on other trucks as well. just gotta dig a bit

[dsraven]

sounds like the same idea I would use, use the existing frame as is so driveshafts etc work without spending extra time and money, then adjust the box to fit-up to a point as long as it still looks symetrical for the series of trucks you have. too much straying from the stock look will likely get you some odd comments, as far as box lengths etc. it is YOUR truck though, so do what you want with it, remembering the safety of others who use the same roads.
I have seen some weird stuff through the years, definately some "unsafe for public roads" stuff as well. sounds like you have your game figured out though.

[Rabid Anti-Dentite]

Originally Posted by dsraven

you can get s10 specs at:

https://www.gmupfitter.com/pdflists/view/6


scroll through for frame dimensions etc

this site also has specs on other trucks as well. just gotta dig a bit

Thank you, this site is awesome. Such detailed information.

[dsraven]

rabid,
take care if you plan to move the axle because the front of the rear axle spring mounts would than possibly be an issue. better to grind off the weld that connects the front and rear frame sections and move accordingly. one part slides inside the other part. measure carefully, support the frame to eliminate sag, have your welder put it back together. check the site, several guys do it that way on here. just ensure the blazer frame is the same in that area.
or cut the box to match your wheelbase on the new frame
your truck.....

[Rabid Anti-Dentite]

Originally Posted by dsraven

rabid,
take care if you plan to move the axle because the front of the rear axle spring mounts would than possibly be an issue. better to grind off the weld that connects the front and rear frame sections and move accordingly. one part slides inside the other part. measure carefully, support the frame to eliminate sag, have your welder put it back together. check the site, several guys do it that way on here. just ensure the blazer frame is the same in that area.
or cut the box to match your wheelbase on the new frame
your truck.....

Thank for the advice. Gonna start with the cab and go from there. Just need to see what looks good. Ideally want to keep everything on the frame as is. I'm going to start a build thread here soon.

[mongocanfly]

You mentioned bed height....I saw one foose did where he raised the bed like a in or so....made a huge difference in the look...I've seen beds with shortened front and it just looks imbalanced to me...but like raven said... it's your truck...

[Rabid Anti-Dentite]

Originally Posted by mongocanfly

You mentioned bed height....I saw one foose did where he raised the bed like a in or so....made a huge difference in the look...I've seen beds with shortened front and it just looks imbalanced to me...but like raven said... it's your truck...

Yeah I like when a strip is added into the raise the bed height. To me it just seems like the bed should be around the same height as the raised section around the cab, just flows a little smoother. I may take a few inches off the front of the bedside, slide the rear end back a few inches, center the wheel up in the fender and raise the bed side an inch or 2. Worse case I have to buy new bedsides. I just don't feel super comfortable with cutting and welding a frame yet, so even moving the axle might be a stretch, but I think I can reattach the leaf spring mounts and shock cross member with bolts. I have to double check my frame. On the last truck, I used the Code504 system and it was slick, however, I am fabbing up all the mounts for this one and sending them out to be welded, then I will bolt them onto the frame. I got all the mount designs from various threads on here.