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#1 |
Sell it before it's finished
Join Date: Dec 2003
Location: Wilmington, NC
Posts: 631
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Long bed to short bed conversion?
I am sure this has been discussed but I'm not havving alot of luck searching. I am in the market for my first classic truck after 15 years of 1st gen Camaros. I originally would onlt consider buyin a short bed. After a couple weeks of looking I notice there are quite a few more long beds available and at better prices. What options are there for converting to a short wheelbase? I guess 1 obvious would be to change frames and beds. Are there any other possibilities? I've been lurking here for a few weeks and the level of expertise and quick respones on this board are amazing. I feel lucky to have found this place. Thanks in advance.
Brian |
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#2 |
Too many is never enough!
Join Date: May 2003
Location: Idaho Falls, ID
Posts: 455
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swb
Early Classic Enterprises sells a kit to use when shortening a LWB to SWB. To over simplify it, 12" are taken out of the center section of the frame and then welded back together. The kit comes with braces that are welded to the inside of the frame rail. Actually, that may be the whole kit. Either find a short bed to put on it or shorten the long bed. You can guess which would be easier. There was an article, I believe in Truckin magazine, not too long ago. Was pretty good on details for shortening the frame. Good luck.
Jason
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Jason 1968 K10 SWB Fleetside 1971 K2500 GMC LWB 1968 K20 (later frame, donor body) 1972 C20 LWB parts truck 1993 K2500 Suburban, tow rig, 454, 4L80E NEW!! 18' Siem's car hauler 2004 Honda Odyssey (family man!) |
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#3 |
Registered User
Join Date: Apr 2003
Location: missouri city, tx
Posts: 4,486
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70 longbed 496/th400/Ford 9" |
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#4 |
Sell it before it's finished
Join Date: Dec 2003
Location: Wilmington, NC
Posts: 631
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That's exactly what I was looking for! Thank you.
Brian |
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#5 |
Registered User
Join Date: Aug 2002
Location: Muskogee, Oklahoma
Posts: 2,914
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Now all you have to do is find a short fleetside bed donor.
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#6 |
Registered User
Join Date: Dec 2003
Location: here
Posts: 5,789
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the strongest (but not easiset) way to do the frame is to Z it out. Cut the frame on a vertical scribe, cut a 12" section off of the front half top section & 12" off of the rear half bottom section. Make sure you cut at the frame centerline. weld the front & rear halves together at the cut seams. Weld a plate to the inside of the splice & you have a VERY strong section. Here's a picture I did in photo suite to better show what Im trying to say. Does this make any sense at all?...corn
Last edited by corn; 09-16-2007 at 06:24 PM. |
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#7 |
Senior Member
![]() Join Date: Jun 2002
Location: Kansas
Posts: 702
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Cornfed63 shows a good explanation, thats how I did mine, then put new bed sides on the shortened (longbed) bed floor. Cutting your frame that way also keeps your frame straight.
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The kid Build threads: 51 Jimmy http://67-72chevytrucks.com/vboard/s...d.php?t=154951 http://67-72chevytrucks.com/vboard/s...d.php?t=219902 http://www.classictrucks.com/feature...uck/index.html 68 C10 http://67-72chevytrucks.com/vboard/s...ad.php?t=50348 |
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#8 |
Sell it before it's finished
Join Date: Dec 2003
Location: Wilmington, NC
Posts: 631
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Makes perfect sense. thanks
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#9 |
Registered User
Join Date: Jul 2002
Location: North Carolina
Posts: 140
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I have a couple of shortbed frames if you don't want to cut up the long bed that you have
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Bowtie Club of the Carolinas |
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#10 |
Sell it before it's finished
Join Date: Dec 2003
Location: Wilmington, NC
Posts: 631
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Haven't bought a truck yet. Being able to shorten opens up a lot more trucks.
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#11 |
Registered User
Join Date: Jul 2002
Location: North Carolina
Posts: 140
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If you don't want to cut up a frame and I have two or three shortbed frames if you are interested in the Jonesville area.
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Bowtie Club of the Carolinas |
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#12 | |
Registered User
Join Date: May 2000
Location: Flin Flon, Manitoba, Canada
Posts: 8,855
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Quote:
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My name's Tim and I'm a truckaholic My 56 Chevy shop truck build http://67-72chevytrucks.com/vboard/s...d.php?t=562795 |
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#13 |
Registered User
Join Date: May 2000
Location: Flin Flon, Manitoba, Canada
Posts: 8,855
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Then he welded it up and fish plated the back
Nice clean job, he's our resident welding GOD
__________________
My name's Tim and I'm a truckaholic My 56 Chevy shop truck build http://67-72chevytrucks.com/vboard/s...d.php?t=562795 |
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#14 |
Registered User
Join Date: Dec 2003
Location: here
Posts: 5,789
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VERY NICE! Thats exactly how I would want it if it were mine. Im not real thrilled with the slant cut seam, Im sure it would hold up just fine but it doesnt look quite as strong...corn
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