55-59 Long --> Short Bed - The 1947 - Present Chevrolet & GMC Truck Message Board Network

RabidScott · 12-28-2006, 02:05 PM

Any of you guys cut down a longbed of this era? I may have found an excellent parts truck for my '57, I want to use the cab and front clip off of it, and the bed as well, but its a longbed.

I was wondering if it was as simple as cutting off the end nearest the cab a few inches, and putting it all back together, or does a little need to come off each end? I'm not talking about framework, but that might be interesting to see as well.

I don't have the trucks next to each other, so I can't visualize, but looking at pictures on the 'net it looks like maybe just cab end of the bed needs to be cut.

Thanks guys!

5Mike7 · 12-28-2006, 03:26 PM

There's some recnt thread about this a bit down on the page.

BTW, I'm about 40-45 miles from Livermore and have a decent shorbox, as well as some shortbox bedsides and the shorter steps as well. Might save you some work.

Daniel U · 12-30-2006, 11:01 AM

If the longbed chassis is the same as the '54, my mom wants one(If you don't cut it). I know that the '54 chassis differs from the '47-'53(from experience). Not completely sure why/when GM switched. My mom has a sb '54 Chevy pick up, but wants a long bed. She has the bed sides, just not the chassis. P.M me if you're interested or know if it would work.(Are you in SF?) Thanks, Daniel U

5Mike7 · 12-30-2006, 12:03 PM

I'm pretty sure the '54 frame is narrower than the 55-59's.

Daniel U · 12-30-2006, 12:10 PM

So the 54-551st series truck frames were unique to that model production? Hmmmmm? Makes getting aa longbed chassis for my mom tougher then.

5Mike7 · 12-30-2006, 03:25 PM

I don't know about that Daniel, you may find more info on the "ole-trucks" list. If you don't want to subscribe, let me know and i'll post the question for you.

Daniel U · 12-31-2006, 10:47 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by 5Mike7

I don't know about that Daniel, you may find more info on the "ole-trucks" list. If you don't want to subscribe, let me know and i'll post the question for you.

PM sent

Gene Sharp · 12-30-2006, 10:17 PM

If memory serves we well some of the 3/4 ton models had longer beds in the late 40s early 50s trucks

Gene Sharp

12-28-2006, 02:05 PM	#1
RabidScott Registered User Join Date: Apr 2004 Location: Tracy CA Posts: 21	55-59 Long --> Short Bed Any of you guys cut down a longbed of this era? I may have found an excellent parts truck for my '57, I want to use the cab and front clip off of it, and the bed as well, but its a longbed. I was wondering if it was as simple as cutting off the end nearest the cab a few inches, and putting it all back together, or does a little need to come off each end? I'm not talking about framework, but that might be interesting to see as well. I don't have the trucks next to each other, so I can't visualize, but looking at pictures on the 'net it looks like maybe just cab end of the bed needs to be cut. Thanks guys!

12-28-2006, 03:26 PM	#2
5Mike7 Senior Member Join Date: Apr 2005 Location: Oakdale,Ca Posts: 283	Re: 55-59 Long --> Short Bed There's some recnt thread about this a bit down on the page. BTW, I'm about 40-45 miles from Livermore and have a decent shorbox, as well as some shortbox bedsides and the shorter steps as well. Might save you some work. __________________ 55-9 stuff that need a new home http://67-72chevytrucks.com/vboard/s...d.php?t=226133

12-30-2006, 11:01 AM	#3
Daniel U Registered User Join Date: Oct 2006 Location: Central Coast, CA. Posts: 1,202	Re: 55-59 Long --> Short Bed If the longbed chassis is the same as the '54, my mom wants one(If you don't cut it). I know that the '54 chassis differs from the '47-'53(from experience). Not completely sure why/when GM switched. My mom has a sb '54 Chevy pick up, but wants a long bed. She has the bed sides, just not the chassis. P.M me if you're interested or know if it would work.(Are you in SF?) Thanks, Daniel U __________________ Mom's 1954 (TBI 5.7/700R4/14 bolt 4:10) 5 Chevrolet window 3/4 ton long bed Pick up build thread ->http://www.67-72chevytrucks.com/vboa...d.php?t=228674 My 1954 (TPI 5.7/700R4/10 bolt 3:73) Chevrolet 5 window 1/2 ton short bed Pick up build thread->http://67-72chevytrucks.com/vboard/s...3&goto=newpost 1960 (400/T350/?) Apache 10 short/fleet side-big window 1973 (TPI 5.7/700R4/14 bolt 4:10 w DANA 60 front) Chevrolet Cheyenne 4X4 2013 (Vortec 5.3/6-speed 6L90 automatic) Sierra LT CREW CAB Doing my part to warm the globe Last edited by Daniel U; 12-30-2006 at 11:49 AM.

12-30-2006, 12:03 PM	#4
5Mike7 Senior Member Join Date: Apr 2005 Location: Oakdale,Ca Posts: 283	Re: 55-59 Long --> Short Bed I'm pretty sure the '54 frame is narrower than the 55-59's. __________________ 55-9 stuff that need a new home http://67-72chevytrucks.com/vboard/s...d.php?t=226133

12-30-2006, 12:10 PM	#5
Daniel U Registered User Join Date: Oct 2006 Location: Central Coast, CA. Posts: 1,202	Re: 55-59 Long --> Short Bed So the 54-551st series truck frames were unique to that model production? Hmmmmm? Makes getting aa longbed chassis for my mom tougher then. __________________ Mom's 1954 (TBI 5.7/700R4/14 bolt 4:10) 5 Chevrolet window 3/4 ton long bed Pick up build thread ->http://www.67-72chevytrucks.com/vboa...d.php?t=228674 My 1954 (TPI 5.7/700R4/10 bolt 3:73) Chevrolet 5 window 1/2 ton short bed Pick up build thread->http://67-72chevytrucks.com/vboard/s...3&goto=newpost 1960 (400/T350/?) Apache 10 short/fleet side-big window 1973 (TPI 5.7/700R4/14 bolt 4:10 w DANA 60 front) Chevrolet Cheyenne 4X4 2013 (Vortec 5.3/6-speed 6L90 automatic) Sierra LT CREW CAB Doing my part to warm the globe

12-30-2006, 03:25 PM	#6
5Mike7 Senior Member Join Date: Apr 2005 Location: Oakdale,Ca Posts: 283	Re: 55-59 Long --> Short Bed I don't know about that Daniel, you may find more info on the "ole-trucks" list. If you don't want to subscribe, let me know and i'll post the question for you. __________________ 55-9 stuff that need a new home http://67-72chevytrucks.com/vboard/s...d.php?t=226133

12-30-2006, 10:17 PM	#8
Gene Sharp Registered User Join Date: Nov 2003 Location: Texas Posts: 183	Re: 55-59 Long --> Short Bed If memory serves we well some of the 3/4 ton models had longer beds in the late 40s early 50s trucks Gene Sharp



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