long bed vs. short bed - The 1947 - Present Chevrolet & GMC Truck Message Board Network

Peregrine · 12-06-2004, 12:37 AM

Since joining this board I've not seen many people express a love of the long bed. I see people converting LBs to SBs all the time and I just don't understand why. I know it's all up to personal preference and that's ok, I was just wondering. I love my long bed. Yeah, as soon as I pull into a parking lot I've scanned the lot and picked out the place that takes the least amount of work to get to, but now I walk the 800 feet to Blockbusrtt from Wal-Mart. It's in the same shopping center anywho. I'm young and I guess I just adapted to it. My dad hates his long bed now cause it's too big to. I just think the LB looks cooler and is better for drag racing (if you were into that kind of thing

) And I know if someone hits me in the bed I'm screwed when it comes to parts. But that's ok. Just wondering what your guys opinions are on it.

Longhorn Man · 12-06-2004, 12:54 AM

Persoanlly, I don't care for the 127" Wb...too common. The 115" looks sharp....muscular, looks mean.
However, i also love the longer ones....the Longhorn (133" WB) is cooler than any of them...personal preference...like you said.

However, the long step...or one ton step, they just look funny. I like them...but I think it is mostly freak value as to why I like them.

lukecp · 12-06-2004, 12:59 AM

I also love long beds. I think they look just as good as short beds. Plus, a short bed truck usually cars a $1000+ premium on the price. Also, you have a foot and a half more cargo room for hauling stuff. I'm defenitly keeping my truck a longbed.

68CST327 · 12-06-2004, 01:03 AM

I sometimes think the short beds look a little too short on these trucks. Plus, a truck is supposed to be a truck. At least in my opinion. Not that I haul a lot of stuff, but being able to fit a 4"x8" sheet of plywood in the back comes in handy. I like 3/4 tons better than the 1/2 tons for the same reasons. They're bigger/taller, can carry more, just seem more burly to me. Everyone can make a 1/2 ton go fast. I like it a lot more when people make a LWB or 3/4 go fast.

Related to what I'm talking about: I've always loved the way Dion's truck looks, as well as departed board member Mike P. (departed from the board, not from life!). Also the guy with the blue C20 with blown 383 in it (sorry, I don't remember your name!).

Longhorn Man · 12-06-2004, 01:07 AM

plywood is easy....drop the tail gate.
How often do you haul something more than 6 1/2 feet long? (For some reason, i just KNOW this responce will lead to 5000 billion ppl telling me about the 8 foot what ever they hauled home last week)

Cat Fuzz · 12-06-2004, 01:12 AM

I love being able to haul stuff with the tailgate closed. Long beds rule!!

69ChevyLB · 12-06-2004, 01:21 AM

I too like the looks of the long fleets. Can make the difference between 1 and 2 trips if you are hauling a bunch of stuff. Back in the days a lot of farmers bought the short steps because they were cheaper than the long beds.

Castiron9 · 12-06-2004, 01:25 AM

LONGHORN................Baby.................

Peregrine · 12-06-2004, 01:12 AM

about the 1000 dollar premium, the guy who I got my truck from said he'd had dozens of calls where the callers first question was "Is it a shortbed?", found out it wasn't and dropped the conversation right there. I'm kind of offended......

garold99 · 12-06-2004, 01:17 AM

When I first got mine I thought the short beds looked cooler. But since I've grown to like the long beds better. Mines a long bed.

mblackburnjr · 12-06-2004, 01:19 AM

Nah,size dont really matter. I used to haul a 100 foot tape measure in my luv truck all the time!...lol

Peregrine · 12-06-2004, 01:28 AM

Please tell me you didn't take that on the highway... :P

68CST327 · 12-06-2004, 02:32 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Peregrine

Please tell me you didn't take that on the highway... :P

I had to haul a complete set of living room furniture like that, minus the trailer. I had a loveseat, a three person couch, a chair, an ottoman, and all the cushions in the bed. I had to put the long couch standing up on it's end, right behind the cab, so that everything would fit.

Man, the wind resistance of all that going down the freeway was kind of scary. I was trying to make it back in a decent amount of time, but I couldn't go that fast.

moodybo · 12-06-2004, 01:47 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by ZOOMY

It's a preference thing. My preference is 4x4, long; 2WD, short. We have 2 of each around here, not counting complete parts trucks, & enough excellent parts to build at least 1 more of each.

Thats it Zoomy! Just get one of each case settled!

68w/sbc406 · 12-06-2004, 01:49 AM

LWB (long wide bed right

) all the way baby. i just see everyone wanting a lowered SWB so LWB was the way i had to go. i dont care if i have to haul anything, thats not the reason i like it. it just looks better to me.

now i would love to see a longhorn on 20's and bagged

sactoC10 · 12-06-2004, 01:58 AM

Here you go... I LOVE MY LONGBED. Until I had it, I was definitely one to "go with the flow" and prefer the shortbed. But the more I look at it, the more I love it. The ONLY thing that bothers me about it is that it dwarfs my 295/50/15's which are nice fat meats tha fit nicely back there, just can't really show them off all too well.

The DUB CITY 1:64 trucks are longbeds, so someone out there knows that they have a following!

Castiron9 · 12-06-2004, 01:58 AM

My middle name is Jed.................

I just can't make up mind as to which one I like better

ACES · 12-06-2004, 02:09 AM

I've owned a 69 short stepside and I currently own a Longbed fleetside. I like 'em all. I've gone back and forth about which is best. My current feeling (which will probably change in the next 15 minutes) is that a longbed is usually cheaper and I use my truck for hauling stuff a lot. It only made sense for me to get the longbed. They're all Cool though.

Brainchild · 12-06-2004, 03:38 AM

I like the longbeds better,they look better porportion wise,plus I can have my toolbox in the back and still have a shortbox payload

Can't make it without the toolbox,glovebox ain't big enough for my fishin pole

I'd love to have a longhorn,but I haven't seen any around here,but I do have a hammered bed for one that I have no idea how I got it,but there must have been at least one at one time

As far as parking the LWB is pretty nimble compared to a 75 LWB 1 ton 4x4

GMC Jim · 12-06-2004, 07:24 AM

and the long beds ride better!!! if you are into camping; a camper for a long bed is the way to go....and I do a fair amount of hauling ( more cu.ft in a long bed ) after all originally pickup trucks were made for hauling!!! A few years ago; one had to have at least 4 rifles displayed on a gun rack visible thru the rear window. LOL !!... The macho thing now is to pull a covered horse trailer behind the pickup ( trailer all shiny and no horse sh!t on the rear of trailer) !....Not sure if these showoffs even own a horse.....To each his own, I suppose !!!

68C15 · 12-06-2004, 08:12 AM

the other day I saw Lefty's twin sister with a goose-neck horse trailer. OMG! how does he stop with non-power-assist 4 wheel drum brakes?!

glock35ipsc · 12-06-2004, 09:14 AM

I like em both, but what I always wanted was a SWB 2wd. My 68 was a LWB, and I liked the way it looked. But after getting hit, I though that was the chance to have the truck I have always invisioned. A 2wd SWB, slightly lowered, shaved this and that, some custom stuff here and there, and have something different. Now, that's not to say I don't like or want another LWB. My 70 K10 is a LWB, and the 67 GMC 2wd (next project) is a LWB. They will both remain LWB's.

I won't use the 68 for work or to haul anything, period. So cargo space has no meaning to that truck. It is just a toy, nothing more.

But, if I had to drive one everyday (67-72), I would definately be a LWB. My 03' is a SWB extended cab. The ext-cab LWB's are just too long for me, and especially for the better half

67ChevyRedneck · 12-06-2004, 09:23 AM

I bought my '67 swb stepside when I was 15. My dad soon after bought a nice 68 lwb fleetside. I loved my dad's truck as much as mine. I used to beg him to trade me every once in a while and I got a lot of looks when I rolled up in the ole high school parking lot in that Maui Blue Chevy!!! Having driven both trucks I think the longbeds handle a little nicer than the shortbeds....but I do have to say that the longbed stepsides are kinda ugly and awkward looking.... just my opinion!

SLS · 12-06-2004, 10:05 AM

"about the 1000 dollar premium, the guy who I got my truck from said he'd had dozens of calls where the callers first question was "Is it a shortbed?", found out it wasn't and dropped the conversation right there. I'm kind of offended......"

I must have been one of those offending callers...LOL!

I spent the better part of 2 years looking for the 'right' SWB project after I decided to take 'the plunge'. Probably looked at over 100 trucks (a VAST majority of them were LWB trucks) over that 2 year period...so I'm guessing that the SWB's may be a bit harder to find??? I could only find a handful of the SWB's around here...and I drove to KY and AL looking for them too. The few I did find were either total wrecks....or BIG $$$ restified/restored units.

I finally found a SWB 'Custom Deluxe' that had a 350 with a 350 TH, tinted glass, power steering, power brakes, and AC (well, most of the AC anyway)...and it was/is a total mess. It needs practically everything repaired or replaced. Even went to Virginia to get another complete bed for it....and still have a LONG way to go to make her right.

Count me in as one of those 'offensive' SWB lovers. I just HAD to have a SWB!...and I wish I had a 100 more....

PS: I have a 12' trailer to haul the 'longer stuff'......heh heh heh

SLS has attached this image:

GreyHoundSteve · 12-06-2004, 11:08 AM

Im a SHORT BED MAN and dont care for the long beds at all. Ive seen one or two here all done up that look ok but everythime i see a decked out long bed my first though is .... wow that truck would kick ass if it were a short bed.

In case no one has noticed truck beds arent getting any longer. In fact if you look at the new hot rod trucks the bed is tiny and getting smaller every body style change.

If i were looking for an old beater work/farm truck then i would look for a long bed but if i was looking to drop some $ into a truck i wouldnt waste my money on dressing up a long bed.

Its like the old expresion goes ..... you can dress a pig in a prom dress but its still a pig.

12-06-2004, 12:37 AM	#1
Peregrine Registered User Join Date: Sep 2004 Location: Louisville, Ky Posts: 329	long bed vs. short bed Since joining this board I've not seen many people express a love of the long bed. I see people converting LBs to SBs all the time and I just don't understand why. I know it's all up to personal preference and that's ok, I was just wondering. I love my long bed. Yeah, as soon as I pull into a parking lot I've scanned the lot and picked out the place that takes the least amount of work to get to, but now I walk the 800 feet to Blockbusrtt from Wal-Mart. It's in the same shopping center anywho. I'm young and I guess I just adapted to it. My dad hates his long bed now cause it's too big to. I just think the LB looks cooler and is better for drag racing (if you were into that kind of thing ) And I know if someone hits me in the bed I'm screwed when it comes to parts. But that's ok. Just wondering what your guys opinions are on it. __________________ Brian 72 C10 longbed 350/th400 Let the world change you and you will change the world.

12-06-2004, 12:59 AM	#3
lukecp Formerly yellow72custom Join Date: May 2001 Location: Austin, TX Posts: 7,531	I also love long beds. I think they look just as good as short beds. Plus, a short bed truck usually cars a $1000+ premium on the price. Also, you have a foot and a half more cargo room for hauling stuff. I'm defenitly keeping my truck a longbed. __________________ '72 Chevy C10 Mild 350/TH350/3.07. Ochre/White. Old high school ride. '70 GMC C2500 '62 327 4bbl/SM465/4.56-geared Dana 60. White/White. Project or parts truck. '97 Saturn SL DD. 1.9/5-speed. 40+ highway mpg

12-06-2004, 01:21 AM	#7
69ChevyLB Active Member Join Date: Aug 2004 Location: Canton, OH Posts: 249	I too like the looks of the long fleets. Can make the difference between 1 and 2 trips if you are hauling a bunch of stuff. Back in the days a lot of farmers bought the short steps because they were cheaper than the long beds. __________________ 69 C10 LWB Project 47 Cushman Scooter Project It is better to have loved and lost than to live with a psycho all your life.

12-06-2004, 01:25 AM	#8
Castiron9 72 LONGHORN OWNER Join Date: Sep 2002 Location: Seattle Wash. Posts: 963	LONGHORN................Baby................. Attached Images __________________ 72-SUPER CHEYENNE/20 LONGHORN 70-C/30 DUALLY

12-06-2004, 01:12 AM	#9
Peregrine Registered User Join Date: Sep 2004 Location: Louisville, Ky Posts: 329	about the 1000 dollar premium, the guy who I got my truck from said he'd had dozens of calls where the callers first question was "Is it a shortbed?", found out it wasn't and dropped the conversation right there. I'm kind of offended...... __________________ Brian 72 C10 longbed 350/th400 Let the world change you and you will change the world.

12-06-2004, 12:54 AM	#2
Longhorn Man its all about the +6 inches Join Date: Jan 2001 Location: Hilliard Ohio Posts: 2,690	Persoanlly, I don't care for the 127" Wb...too common. The 115" looks sharp....muscular, looks mean. However, i also love the longer ones....the Longhorn (133" WB) is cooler than any of them...personal preference...like you said. However, the long step...or one ton step, they just look funny. I like them...but I think it is mostly freak value as to why I like them.

12-06-2004, 01:03 AM	#4
68CST327 Registered User Join Date: Aug 2002 Location: USA Posts: 443	I sometimes think the short beds look a little too short on these trucks. Plus, a truck is supposed to be a truck. At least in my opinion. Not that I haul a lot of stuff, but being able to fit a 4"x8" sheet of plywood in the back comes in handy. I like 3/4 tons better than the 1/2 tons for the same reasons. They're bigger/taller, can carry more, just seem more burly to me. Everyone can make a 1/2 ton go fast. I like it a lot more when people make a LWB or 3/4 go fast. Related to what I'm talking about: I've always loved the way Dion's truck looks, as well as departed board member Mike P. (departed from the board, not from life!). Also the guy with the blue C20 with blown 383 in it (sorry, I don't remember your name!).

12-06-2004, 01:07 AM	#5
Longhorn Man its all about the +6 inches Join Date: Jan 2001 Location: Hilliard Ohio Posts: 2,690	plywood is easy....drop the tail gate. How often do you haul something more than 6 1/2 feet long? (For some reason, i just KNOW this responce will lead to 5000 billion ppl telling me about the 8 foot what ever they hauled home last week)

12-06-2004, 01:12 AM	#6
Cat Fuzz My son, my joy. Join Date: Sep 2003 Location: Spokane WA Posts: 463	I love being able to haul stuff with the tailgate closed. Long beds rule!!

12-06-2004, 01:17 AM	#10
garold99 Registered User Join Date: Nov 2004 Location: Moore, Oklahoma Posts: 129	When I first got mine I thought the short beds looked cooler. But since I've grown to like the long beds better. Mines a long bed.

12-06-2004, 01:19 AM	#11
mblackburnjr collector of vintage rust Join Date: Apr 2004 Location: southern ohio Posts: 421	Nah,size dont really matter. I used to haul a 100 foot tape measure in my luv truck all the time!...lol

12-06-2004, 01:28 AM	#12
Peregrine Registered User Join Date: Sep 2004 Location: Louisville, Ky Posts: 329	Please tell me you didn't take that on the highway... :P __________________ Brian 72 C10 longbed 350/th400 Let the world change you and you will change the world.

12-06-2004, 01:49 AM	#15
68w/sbc406 Got Light Emitting Diode? Join Date: Apr 2004 Location: Newberg, OR Posts: 2,485	LWB (long wide bed right ) all the way baby. i just see everyone wanting a lowered SWB so LWB was the way i had to go. i dont care if i have to haul anything, thats not the reason i like it. it just looks better to me. now i would love to see a longhorn on 20's and bagged __________________ 1968 1/2 ton 2wd lwb 6 lug disc and bags up front. Next c notch and rear bags '02 Chevy Silverado LT ext cab short bed 2WD 5/7 drop on 22's(the family car) 1993 Cherokee work ride/weekend wheeler

12-06-2004, 01:58 AM	#16
sactoC10 71 DELUX Join Date: Sep 2003 Location: Northern CA / Sac Posts: 1,055	longer Here you go... I LOVE MY LONGBED. Until I had it, I was definitely one to "go with the flow" and prefer the shortbed. But the more I look at it, the more I love it. The ONLY thing that bothers me about it is that it dwarfs my 295/50/15's which are nice fat meats tha fit nicely back there, just can't really show them off all too well. The DUB CITY 1:64 trucks are longbeds, so someone out there knows that they have a following! __________________ 5/4 drop LWB wood bed - 15x8 front 235/60 - 15x10 rear 295/50 2003 FORD Escape 1998 Honda VTR1000

12-06-2004, 01:58 AM	#17
Castiron9 72 LONGHORN OWNER Join Date: Sep 2002 Location: Seattle Wash. Posts: 963	My middle name is Jed................. I just can't make up mind as to which one I like better Attached Images __________________ 72-SUPER CHEYENNE/20 LONGHORN 70-C/30 DUALLY



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12-06-2004, 02:09 AM	#18
ACES Life is a gamble Join Date: Oct 2003 Location: Lee's Summit, MO Posts: 796	I've owned a 69 short stepside and I currently own a Longbed fleetside. I like 'em all. I've gone back and forth about which is best. My current feeling (which will probably change in the next 15 minutes) is that a longbed is usually cheaper and I use my truck for hauling stuff a lot. It only made sense for me to get the longbed. They're all Cool though. __________________ 1970 Orange CST C-10 w/350, posi, Longbed The torpid artist seeks inspiration at any cost, by virtue or by vice, by friend or by fiend, by prayer or by wine. -- Ralph Waldo Emerson

12-06-2004, 03:38 AM	#19
Brainchild Still drivin' a Rat Rod Join Date: Sep 2004 Location: Monett Missouri Posts: 4,925	I like the longbeds better,they look better porportion wise,plus I can have my toolbox in the back and still have a shortbox payload Can't make it without the toolbox,glovebox ain't big enough for my fishin pole I'd love to have a longhorn,but I haven't seen any around here,but I do have a hammered bed for one that I have no idea how I got it,but there must have been at least one at one time As far as parking the LWB is pretty nimble compared to a 75 LWB 1 ton 4x4 __________________ Rusty Member #13872 Instead of saying.....you are a discomfort in the back of my front.....one should be able to say...... you are a pain in the a$# 71 GMC LWB 49 Chevy 85 Chevy G20 Check out my website

12-06-2004, 07:24 AM	#20
GMC Jim Senior Member Join Date: Dec 2002 Location: Portland, Oregon Posts: 901	and the long beds ride better!!! if you are into camping; a camper for a long bed is the way to go....and I do a fair amount of hauling ( more cu.ft in a long bed ) after all originally pickup trucks were made for hauling!!! A few years ago; one had to have at least 4 rifles displayed on a gun rack visible thru the rear window. LOL !!... The macho thing now is to pull a covered horse trailer behind the pickup ( trailer all shiny and no horse sh!t on the rear of trailer) !....Not sure if these showoffs even own a horse.....To each his own, I suppose !!! __________________ '71 GMC;fleetside;PB/PS/AC/CC/402 Eng./Custom Paint/110,000act miles/3 fuel tanks(52gal).

12-06-2004, 08:12 AM	#21
68C15 blood type; Retumbo Join Date: Jan 2004 Location: next to my reloading bench Posts: 10,269	the other day I saw Lefty's twin sister with a goose-neck horse trailer. OMG! how does he stop with non-power-assist 4 wheel drum brakes?! __________________ Man rule #77...if you own a 67 stepside with a caddy 472 you will never be in danger of loosing you man card

12-06-2004, 09:14 AM	#22
glock35ipsc Next project: 1970 K10 Join Date: Feb 2004 Location: Fort Collins, Colo 80524 Posts: 6,684	I like em both, but what I always wanted was a SWB 2wd. My 68 was a LWB, and I liked the way it looked. But after getting hit, I though that was the chance to have the truck I have always invisioned. A 2wd SWB, slightly lowered, shaved this and that, some custom stuff here and there, and have something different. Now, that's not to say I don't like or want another LWB. My 70 K10 is a LWB, and the 67 GMC 2wd (next project) is a LWB. They will both remain LWB's. I won't use the 68 for work or to haul anything, period. So cargo space has no meaning to that truck. It is just a toy, nothing more. But, if I had to drive one everyday (67-72), I would definately be a LWB. My 03' is a SWB extended cab. The ext-cab LWB's are just too long for me, and especially for the better half __________________ *Bob* 1970 Chevy K10 LWB "Goldie" 350/TH350 *next project!!* 1981 Chevy C10 LWB 355/TH350 - My son's truck LS SWAP FORUM! Tons of LS swap info here! PLEASE CLICK HERE TO SUPPORT THE GREATEST BOARD ON THE NET! CLICK HERE FOR THE FAQ INDEX by KRUE

12-06-2004, 09:23 AM	#23
67ChevyRedneck Hittin E-Z Street on Mud Tires Join Date: Nov 2004 Location: Greenville, SC Posts: 23,090	I bought my '67 swb stepside when I was 15. My dad soon after bought a nice 68 lwb fleetside. I loved my dad's truck as much as mine. I used to beg him to trade me every once in a while and I got a lot of looks when I rolled up in the ole high school parking lot in that Maui Blue Chevy!!! Having driven both trucks I think the longbeds handle a little nicer than the shortbeds....but I do have to say that the longbed stepsides are kinda ugly and awkward looking.... just my opinion!

12-06-2004, 10:05 AM	#24
SLS Finish the'71..or bust! Join Date: Jun 2003 Location: Nashville, TN. Posts: 441	"about the 1000 dollar premium, the guy who I got my truck from said he'd had dozens of calls where the callers first question was "Is it a shortbed?", found out it wasn't and dropped the conversation right there. I'm kind of offended......" I must have been one of those offending callers...LOL! I spent the better part of 2 years looking for the 'right' SWB project after I decided to take 'the plunge'. Probably looked at over 100 trucks (a VAST majority of them were LWB trucks) over that 2 year period...so I'm guessing that the SWB's may be a bit harder to find??? I could only find a handful of the SWB's around here...and I drove to KY and AL looking for them too. The few I did find were either total wrecks....or BIG $$$ restified/restored units. I finally found a SWB 'Custom Deluxe' that had a 350 with a 350 TH, tinted glass, power steering, power brakes, and AC (well, most of the AC anyway)...and it was/is a total mess. It needs practically everything repaired or replaced. Even went to Virginia to get another complete bed for it....and still have a LONG way to go to make her right. Count me in as one of those 'offensive' SWB lovers. I just HAD to have a SWB!...and I wish I had a 100 more.... PS: I have a 12' trailer to haul the 'longer stuff'......heh heh heh SLS has attached this image:

12-06-2004, 11:08 AM	#25
GreyHoundSteve Registered User Join Date: Oct 2004 Location: DFW TX Posts: 769	Im a SHORT BED MAN and dont care for the long beds at all. Ive seen one or two here all done up that look ok but everythime i see a decked out long bed my first though is .... wow that truck would kick ass if it were a short bed. In case no one has noticed truck beds arent getting any longer. In fact if you look at the new hot rod trucks the bed is tiny and getting smaller every body style change. If i were looking for an old beater work/farm truck then i would look for a long bed but if i was looking to drop some $ into a truck i wouldnt waste my money on dressing up a long bed. Its like the old expresion goes ..... you can dress a pig in a prom dress but its still a pig.

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