bedchop

[riot936]

Ok I purchased a extra frame for my 63 stepside to chop into a shortbed. I found awesome link explaining exactly how to chop the frame. With that said anybody have a link or can post a write up on exactly where and how to chop the bedsides and the "step"?

[poorboy]

You might try and find a stepside bed. If I remember right they are the same from the late 50's to the mid 80's.

[63Ton]

Step side beds from 2nd design 55 to 66 are the same.

[riot936]

Thanks man. I'm really trying to go low buck on this thing. Soni really want to use what I have. But I will look around and see. The only difference on the beds are the bedsides correct and steps correct? The fenders will be the same?
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[fleetsidelarry]

the only shortening to the frame happens ahead of the rear axle, correct? (actually in front of the trailing arm cross member) if so, only a 12" section from the front portion of the bedsides and out of the middle of the steps should be required.

[riot936]

No I do believe you also chop 8" off the rear. Also i cant find the damn link but i read that on a stepside you cut the bed differently than the fleetside sonething like 15" frint 5" rear. I'm thinking I may just buy new short steps and then cut the bedsides.
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[fleetsidelarry]

Originally Posted by riot936

No I do believe you also chop 8" off the rear. Also i cant find the damn link but i read that on a stepside you cut the bed differently than the fleetside sonething like 15" frint 5" rear. I'm thinking I may just buy new short steps and then cut the bedsides.
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Ya, you're right of course, I forgot that the bed is shorter than the difference in wheelbases so something has to come off the back. You know that the axle center line is 12" forward, can't you take some measurements and figure out what to take off/where based on putting the wheel in the center of the fender opening? as for the rear, that is sort of arbitrary based on what you do to the frame, right? I mean 5" or 6" or whatever, I don't know if anyone will know.

check this link, it has a board lengths chart and a diagram, might give you an idea:
http://www.gmcpauls.com/47-72_BedWood_Info.htm

according to the chart the difference in wood length is just shy of 20 inches. if you take 12 off the front that leaves you with the 8 that you were thinking and timmytimm did to his fleet

[timmytimm3]

I chopped my long fleet down to a short fleet. 12" between the cab and trailing arm crossmember and 8" off the back. Do a search, there is a ton of information on it.

Good luck

[1963c-10]

Yeah, the bedsides are shorter and the steps are shorter. All the other longbed parts will work for a shortbed conversion. And correct that the late 55-66 beds are the same, although most of the bed components are correct and interchangeable from 55-87, although big differences are the fenders and taillights.