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#1 |
Registered User
Join Date: Jul 2014
Location: Ft Whoopup, Ab
Posts: 317
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SWB or LWB
Well, I have my 1960 home and have been making plans.
Got a body man all lined up for the cab and front fenders. The plan is to use a 63-66 frame, and eventually air bags and a 4 link. This will have a big block, and besides power, I want good weight transfer to the rear tires and good handling. As it sits, it's a LWB. But I kind of like the SWB look. If you were after performance and handling, which wheelbase would you go with? |
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#2 |
UCA63
Join Date: Aug 2005
Location: Lloydminster AB Can.
Posts: 1,637
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Re: SWB or LWB
I think with a BB in a short might be a little squirrely ??
Obviously you'll have a big a$$ front sway bar sooo ??? A short might get the front wheels in the air though LOL Currently doing a 61 on a 63 chassis (GMC) the 63 is definitely more forgiving to work with than the 60-62"s. The only "need to change pieces" are Cab mount location, Grill support and front bumper (rear too I think)can come from a 63-66. Probably stuff you already know. If it were mine,I'd keep it a LB they're cool too (unless its a stepper) Throw some pics up love to see it Trent
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member#7816 "63 sb ss bbw 350\350 12 bolt rear Pwr Fr Disc PS tilt '61 GMC in progress '63 GMC to use for parts '90 Chevy Ext cab sbfs 5.7l (current d d) |
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#3 |
State of Confusion!
![]() ![]() Join Date: Jul 2002
Location: Gulfport, MS USA
Posts: 46,861
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Re: SWB or LWB
Suspension pieces equal, the handling with the SWB will be better, but the ride of the LWB will be better. Straight line performance (drags) I normally find the LWB is a better choice.
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Bill 1970 Chevy Custom/10 LWB Fleetside 2010 Toyota Tacoma PreRunner SR5 Double Cab - DD Member of Louisiana Classic Truck Club (LCTC) Bill's Gallery Life isn't tied with a bow, but it's still a gift. Live simply. Love generously. Care deeply. Speak kindly. Leave the rest to God! |
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#4 |
Senior Member
![]() Join Date: May 2007
Location: Doodah Kansas
Posts: 7,773
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Re: SWB or LWB
I'd recommend the shmedium bed. mechanic77 did to his old blue, longer than a shorty but shorter than a long. shmedium! its a great look, slightly longer than the short which is just enough
http://67-72chevytrucks.com/vboard/s...9&postcount=74
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the mass of men live lives of quiet desperation if there is a problem, I can have it. new project WAYNE http://67-72chevytrucks.com/vboard/s...d.php?t=844393 |
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#5 |
Registered User
Join Date: Oct 2014
Location: Metro Detroit, MI
Posts: 202
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Re: SWB or LWB
Interesting!
I prefer the long bed trucks myself. My short bed is much like someone above described, a bit squirrely handling. It has all original suspension parts and bushings though. |
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#6 |
Registered User
![]() Join Date: Sep 2006
Location: San Francisco
Posts: 4,780
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Re: SWB or LWB
I have both. I can't really compare them because the short has 75 suspension parts along with the front sway bar, is also lowered 3/4 with some 60 series tires with a BB in it and the long bed is stock with a 283, and yes it has body roll. Needless the say the BB works in the Short Bed.
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"A man and his truck, what a beautiful thing" 65 Short Fleetside BBC 65 Long Fleetside 283 3 on the tree for now. my build thread http://www.67-72chevytrucks.com/vboa...d.php?t=259536 |
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#7 |
Registered User
Join Date: Sep 2009
Location: California Delta
Posts: 2,163
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Re: SWB or LWB
You can get some bite with shortbed that's for sure.
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Name: Rich Current Ride: 1964 C-10 Short Fleetside Daily Driver: 2005 GMC crew cab short fleetside /2001 Chevy Tahoe Past GM Trucks: 1959 GMC short stepside 1968 GMC short stepside-4x4 1973 Chevy short stepside 1989 Chevy short fleetside-reg cab 1993 Chevy short fleetside-Xcab 2002 Chevy short fleetside-Xcab Save the dinosaurs, use synthetic oil. |
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#8 |
Registered User
Join Date: Sep 2009
Location: California Delta
Posts: 2,163
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Re: SWB or LWB
Sometimes too much.
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Name: Rich Current Ride: 1964 C-10 Short Fleetside Daily Driver: 2005 GMC crew cab short fleetside /2001 Chevy Tahoe Past GM Trucks: 1959 GMC short stepside 1968 GMC short stepside-4x4 1973 Chevy short stepside 1989 Chevy short fleetside-reg cab 1993 Chevy short fleetside-Xcab 2002 Chevy short fleetside-Xcab Save the dinosaurs, use synthetic oil. |
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#9 |
Registered User
Join Date: Aug 2012
Location: Rathdrum ID
Posts: 1,128
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Re: SWB or LWB
I like the swb for 2wd and long for 4wd.
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66 shorty ![]() |
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#10 |
Registered User
Join Date: Feb 2013
Location: central California
Posts: 2,736
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Re: SWB or LWB
I had everything I needed to convert my longbed and when it came down to the wire...I changed my mind. After so many good years, I just couldn't cut it up.
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#11 |
Post Whore
![]() Join Date: Mar 2013
Location: Southern Oregon
Posts: 10,384
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Re: SWB or LWB
I like both myself....short stepper and ong bed fleeter here.
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1966 Chevy C10 "Project Two Tone" http://67-72chevytrucks.com/vboard/s...d.php?t=596643 1964 GMC "Crustine" semi-build:http://67-72chevytrucks.com/vboard/s...d.php?t=665056 My youtube channel. Username "Military Chevy": https://www.youtube.com/channel/UC_h...fzpcUXyK_5-uiw |
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#12 |
Registered User
![]() Join Date: Mar 2005
Location: apple valley, ca
Posts: 2,670
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Re: SWB or LWB
I built nothing but shortbeds for years, and my '64 is my first longbed. Initially, I wasn't sure if building it as a hot rod was a good choice, but it has really grown on me. I'm starting to see a lot more board members building long bed hot rods, so maybe we're starting a new trend!
A SWB will ride good because of the coil springs and trailing arms, but because of the extended wheelbase, a LWB will ride even better. The LWB bed being 2ft longer comes in really handy when you need to haul something like a motorcycle or 8ft 2x4s. You can't go wrong with either one, but you need to consider what you plan to use the truck for, and then make your decision.
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Check out my latest endeavor: https://roundsixpod.com My build threads: '55 Chevy: http://67-72chevytrucks.com/vboard/s...d.php?t=247512 '64 C-20: http://67-72chevytrucks.com/vboard/s...d.php?t=446527 |
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#13 |
Registered User
Join Date: Jul 2013
Location: Nashville, TN
Posts: 216
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Re: SWB or LWB
I am going sorta against the grain here. I have always preferred the look of the short steppers, but could not find one when when I was in the market. Most of the ones I found were long steppers. I bought it and have loved it. I really think the look of the stepsides on the long bed just look more at home. If we are talking fleet though, it's definitely a tossup. I love the look of a slammed long bed for some reason. Although, that shmedium looks pretty hot. Good luck on your choice, but really you can't go wrong.
James
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'64 C10 Build Officially LQ/NV3500 swapped and Bagged |
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#14 |
Enjoy your truck
Join Date: Oct 2007
Location: Newmarket, Ontario, Canada
Posts: 1,066
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Re: SWB or LWB
I like the 7' shmedium look.
Greg
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1 Corinthians 10:13 1963 Chevrolet 1/2 ton 2010 Camaro SS/RS 2014 Jeep Grand Cherokee 2016 Jeep Cherokee |
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#15 |
SIR
Join Date: Apr 2005
Location: grants pass oregon,usa
Posts: 658
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Re: SWB or LWB
I rely love our long bed I take HWY 199 to the coast often and with a good sway bar, good shocks & tires it handles curves like it's on rails....long bed.....
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66long low fleet http://community.webshots.com/user/LVNR66 |
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#16 |
Registered User
Join Date: Jul 2014
Location: Ft Whoopup, Ab
Posts: 317
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Re: SWB or LWB
I appreciate everyone's response, I guess it does come down to personal preference.
My 60 is buried in snow at the moment, but I will take better pics soon. It's sitting in the snow so my 76 stepside can get worked on. ![]() ![]() ![]() |
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#17 |
Registered User
Join Date: Oct 2014
Location: Abilene Kansas
Posts: 19
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Re: SWB or LWB
Man that's a straight hood and grill. Wish mine was as nice!
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#18 |
Registered User
Join Date: Jul 2014
Location: Ft Whoopup, Ab
Posts: 317
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Re: SWB or LWB
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#19 |
Registered User
Join Date: Feb 2011
Location: Post Falls, ID
Posts: 113
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Re: SWB or LWB
Short looks way better IMO
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-Chapa 65 SWB step-side / 383 stroker / TH350 / 4:10 gears / static drop 4 1/2" front 5" rear. |
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#20 |
Registered User
Join Date: Jun 2013
Location: Somewhere
Posts: 3,074
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Re: SWB or LWB
Heh,
I like trucks. Trucks have 8' beds. |
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#21 |
Registered User
Join Date: Dec 2013
Location: Dallas Ga
Posts: 308
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Re: SWB or LWB
I like both long and shorts, but I like the shorts with a static drop, and a lot of the longs look cool with bags.
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#22 |
UCA63
Join Date: Aug 2005
Location: Lloydminster AB Can.
Posts: 1,637
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Re: SWB or LWB
That's looking like a great start !The WS is definitely a huge plus
AFAIK Imperial and Pilkington are the only 2 that made WS for our trucks My Pilkington measures in at 5.5mm thick..I've heard the aftermarket ones are thinner. Did you manage to score the correct WS gasket?? You've got the rest of the glass too ?? . Shmedium bed ...cool, the best of both LOL T
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member#7816 "63 sb ss bbw 350\350 12 bolt rear Pwr Fr Disc PS tilt '61 GMC in progress '63 GMC to use for parts '90 Chevy Ext cab sbfs 5.7l (current d d) |
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#23 |
Registered User
Join Date: Jul 2014
Location: Ft Whoopup, Ab
Posts: 317
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Re: SWB or LWB
Mine is 1/4" looks like.
Didn't get the gasket with it, will find one. All the other glass is good. |
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#24 |
UCA63
Join Date: Aug 2005
Location: Lloydminster AB Can.
Posts: 1,637
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Re: SWB or LWB
That sounds right
I think GM is still making them, Any good glass shop Should be able to get you one. So sweet that you got the WS Harder to find than the front fenders I'm looking for ! LOL T
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member#7816 "63 sb ss bbw 350\350 12 bolt rear Pwr Fr Disc PS tilt '61 GMC in progress '63 GMC to use for parts '90 Chevy Ext cab sbfs 5.7l (current d d) |
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#25 |
Registered User
Join Date: Jul 2014
Location: Ft Whoopup, Ab
Posts: 317
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Re: SWB or LWB
63sbssbbw
Check your inbox. |
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