Long Bed To Short Bed Question

[Desert1957]

I am trying to decide to convert my 87 "Long Bed" to a short bed.

Have see all the articles and threads on the frame mod, But what are my options with bed?

I would like to by all new panels and build a replacement short bed.

Can this be done?

Dez

This

To This

[daddyjeep]

LMC Truck has all or the pieces to build a brand new bed. Stacy David on Gearz TV has done it on a couple of episodes and I think Trucks did too on The Spike Network's Power block.

[68c10owner]

Originally Posted by daddyjeep

LMC Truck has all or the pieces to build a brand new bed. Stacy David on Gearz TV has done it on a couple of episodes and I think Trucks did too on The Spike Network's Power block.

The besides LMC sells don't have the fuel doors in them. Might not be a issue. It's easy enough to cut the bed down. If you can handle the frame mods the bed mods are nothing.

EDIT- I was wrong, LMC does sell the bedsides with either round or square fuel door holes.

[izzy_Britton]

Originally Posted by 68c10owner

The besides LMC sells don't have the fuel doors in them. Might not be a issue. It's easy enough to cut the bed down. If you can handle the frame mods the bed mods are nothing.

They used to offer the bedsides with or without fuel holes... wth? good know know, glad you pointed this out.

[68c10owner]

Originally Posted by izzy_Britton

They used to offer the bedsides with or without fuel holes... wth? good know know, glad you pointed this out.

Ok, had to double check and it appears I was wrong. LMC does offer them with round or square holes. It must have been Brothers that sells them without the fuel door hole. Those are the only 2 square body catalogs I have and I know one of them sells them without the holes because I remember thinking that was strange but since I dont need bed sides I didnt really worry about it.

[68c10owner]

Originally Posted by izzy_Britton

They used to offer the bedsides with or without fuel holes... wth? good know know, glad you pointed this out.

Just looked, Brothers is the one who sells them without holes but they do offer them in round or square hole as well. guess i better know what the hell Im talking about first, huh? LOL. sorry for the bad info guys.

[SkinnyG]

Trucks! show did a '66, where they cut the box down. You should be able to find enough of the episodes on Powerblock's website.

There was a video (show?) series on YouTube where some guys shortened a square and cut down a box, but the episodes didn't completely finish it. They just cut off the front and back the correct amounts.

With a welder and a cutting disk, you can do anything. It's just time. I was going to cut down my longbox, but found a local shortbox for less than the cost of replacement wheel arches for mine.

[tinydb84]

I think cutting the bed down would be harder and more time consuming than doing the frame.

http://www.73-87.com/7387garage/chas...lwb_to_swb.htm

[68c10owner]

Originally Posted by tinydb84

I think cutting the bed down would be harder and more time consuming than doing the frame.

http://www.73-87.com/7387garage/chas...lwb_to_swb.htm

I personally have not shortened a truck but I would never do it the way shown in your link. A straight cut to me seems not quite as strong as a "Z" type cut would be and then plating the inside of the frame for extra support.

Cutting the bed own is a lot easier unless you are not handy with a welder. Easy to burn through sheet metal but this is not really a beginner fab job.

[tinydb84]

Originally Posted by 68c10owner

I personally have not shortened a truck but I would never do it the way shown in your link. A straight cut to me seems not quite as strong as a "Z" type cut would be and then plating the inside of the frame for extra support.

Cutting the bed own is a lot easier unless you are not handy with a welder. Easy to burn through sheet metal but this is not really a beginner fab job.

I agree with the "Z" cut. The link has all the info regarding the measurements, springs, gas tank, etc. though.

Welding the bed is one thing. Welding a long vertical line in sheet metal is a whole other animal. If you don't know what you are doing it would be real easy to warp the hell out of it.

MARTINSR wrote a really good post in the body section demonstrating how he would lay out he lines and where to cut. If I find the post I will put a link up.

[68c10owner]

Originally Posted by tinydb84

I agree with the "Z" cut. The link has all the info regarding the measurements, springs, gas tank, etc. though.

Welding the bed is one thing. Welding a long vertical line in sheet metal is a whole other animal. If you don't know what you are doing it would be real easy to warp the hell out of it.

MARTINSR wrote a really good post in the body section demonstrating how he would lay out he lines and where to cut. If I find the post I will put a link up.

I would be more worried about doing the frame correctly because of that fails someone could loose a life. If they bed intimidates you, find a short bed on craigslist. Its really not that big of a deal if you do it in sections. You just need to know how to weld sheet metal.

I dont know how the squares compare to the 67-72 trucks but I know you take 12" right behind the cab and the last 6-8",cant remember if its 6 or 8, from the end of the frame.

Another option would be finding a short bed frame.

[tinydb84]

Here is the thread. Lots of good info in it:

http://67-72chevytrucks.com/vboard/s...d.php?t=640898

[68c10owner]

Originally Posted by tinydb84

Here is the thread. Lots of good info in it:

http://67-72chevytrucks.com/vboard/s...d.php?t=640898

But are the 73-87 trucks the same as the 67-72 trucks? If not that info doesnt work in this case. Great info for sure if your doing a 67-72 though.

[slotard]

I agree that doing the frame right is far more important than the bed. An ugly bed is very unlikely to kill anyone. Do a Z and fish plates.

[tinydb84]

The first link I posted had all the 73-87 info. The second link is for layout, body work, etc.

[68c10owner]

Originally Posted by tinydb84

The first link I posted had all the 73-87 info. The second link is for layout, body work, etc.

That first link didnt really offer much other than text on how to do it. There have been tons of threads on here about the conversion. Pictures tell 1000 words.

[N2TRUX]

Originally Posted by Desert1957

I am trying to decide to convert my 87 "Long Bed" to a short bed.

Can this be done?

Dez

If that is a picture of your truck, and its as clean as it looks I would not convert it. I'm not in the least bit opposed to cutting up a truck, but that looks to be a really clean original truck. Unless there are sentimental reasons, you would be much better off selling that one and buying the SWB you really want.

With that said, if your set on cutting your down use the z cut as mentioned. Bedsides can be cut and welded, but if you have to ask my guess is you dont have the ability to cut and weld sheet metal that thin with out warping it.

[Desert1957]

Originally Posted by N2TRUX

If that is a picture of your truck, and its as clean as it looks I would not convert it. I'm not in the least bit opposed to cutting up a truck, but that looks to be a really clean original truck. Unless there are sentimental reasons, you would be much better off selling that one and buying the SWB you really want.

With that said, if your set on cutting your down use the z cut as mentioned. Bedsides can be cut and welded, but if you have to ask my guess is you dont have the ability to cut and weld sheet metal that thin with out warping it.

OH NO, Now I have to revisit this question again. I have been told by many who have seen my truck, Don't cut it up.

I acquired this truck 25 years ago for $100.00, with a knocking motor. Its a plain jane , heavy half but Its followed me around for years. Yes part of the family now. Even my wife has changed her mind about me selling it, Go figure?

I guess I should have said in my OP that I may have access to a SWB complete frame. That was why I was going to build a bed. Swap it all out for a nice winter project.

Still could go back to a long bed if I keep everything.

Sounds crazy HUH?

Desert

[Desert1957]

Here is a pic before the drop. Frozen morning after I changed the wheels.

[Keith Seymore]

Originally Posted by Desert1957

Your CRAZY!!!!!!!!

I'm a shortbed guy but that one looks pretty good even as a longbed (especially with the rallys).

I'd leave it alone and pick up a short bed truck (or not).

K

[Desert1957]

Originally Posted by Keith Seymore

I'm a shortbed guy but that one looks pretty good even as a longbed (especially with the rallys).

I'd leave it alone and pick up a short bed truck (or not).

K

I Know, you guys are giving me a reality check.
Thanks......

[68c10owner]

Originally Posted by Desert1957

I Know, you guys are giving me a reality check.
Thanks......

It is a clean truck. Im a shotbed guy as well but I would drive the tires off of that one. I would just enjoy it and maybe look for another truck for a project. Grab that shortbed frame if you can and use it to build something. You can get cabs and other body panels on craigslist all the time. Or even another long bed that isnt quite as nice to cut up. THey tend to be cheaper to buy than the shortbeds.

[Bigstevex4]

cutting the frame is nothing. we have dozens of e450s that the frame has been cut and lengthened its standard practice in any truck build shop. And I wouldn't shorten it. If it were mine.

[slotard]

Originally Posted by Bigstevex4

cutting the frame is nothing. we have dozens of e450s that the frame has been cut and lengthened its standard practice in any truck build shop. And I wouldn't shorten it. If it were mine.

I'd be more worried about lengthening than shortening, as even with the same load the bending moment increases when you lengthen the frame. Then again, for all I know different van lengths all use the same frame height/width/thickness so it may not be an issue.

I agree that, done right, there's nothing wrong with shortening. That said, it does need to be done right. It shouldn't be your first welding project, and you shouldn't try to do it with a 110V MIG. It's a life safety issue, so it needs to be done by a competent welder with the right equipment.

[enaberif]

Originally Posted by slotard

I'd be more worried about lengthening than shortening, as even with the same load the bending moment increases when you lengthen the frame. Then again, for all I know different van lengths all use the same frame height/width/thickness so it may not be an issue.

I agree that, done right, there's nothing wrong with shortening. That said, it does need to be done right. It shouldn't be your first welding project, and you shouldn't try to do it with a 110V MIG. It's a life safety issue, so it needs to be done by a competent welder with the right equipment.

A good 110v mig can do 1/4 just has to be done properly. If that is all you have then just plate and bolt the joints when you are done.