Long Wheel Base to Short

[mistral]

Ok, I have a 1968 LWB would I be crazy to convert it to a SWB? would I hurt the value? I am sure some guys have done it, what kind of costs would I be looking at?

Thanks.

Ron

[WhiteCST]

The only way I could see it hurting the value too bad was if it is a pristine condition truck, or a 50th anniversary truck. By all accounts that I’ve seen, making it a shortbed actually improves the value or at the least the desirability. As far as cost Brothers trucks makes a kit that anyone who can use basic tools and follow instructions can do. It costs $470 and comes with everything you need (new brake lines, new e brake equipment, new driveshaft for factory trans etc.) including a template you bolt on to the frame. If you can weld yourself you can complete the process on your own, if not the template bolts the truck together long enough to trailer it to a welder to have it done. The next expense is shortening your long bed which can take a long time to do properly, or buy a short box. They’re few and far between in good shape and all new panels will cost you close to 2k.
Here’s a link for where they did the swap and it will give you an idea: https://www.google.com/amp/www.hotro...10-trucks/amp/
And here’s a link to the brothers website: https://www.brotherstrucks.com/63-72...tinfo/LTSC372/

[dropped_71chevy]

Originally Posted by WhiteCST

The only way I could see it hurting the value too bad was if it is a pristine condition truck, or a 50th anniversary truck. By all accounts that I’ve seen, making it a shortbed actually improves the value or at the least the desirability. As far as cost Brothers trucks makes a kit that anyone who can use basic tools and follow instructions can do. It costs $470 and comes with everything you need (new brake lines, new e brake equipment, new driveshaft for factory trans etc.) including a template you bolt on to the frame. If you can weld yourself you can complete the process on your own, if not the template bolts the truck together long enough to trailer it to a welder to have it done. The next expense is shortening your long bed which can take a long time to do properly, or buy a short box. They’re few and far between in good shape and all new panels will cost you close to 2k.
Here’s a link for where they did the swap and it will give you an idea: https://www.google.com/amp/www.hotro...10-trucks/amp/
And here’s a link to the brothers website: https://www.brotherstrucks.com/63-72...tinfo/LTSC372/

To clarify, I don't believe Brother's kit includes a new drive shaft.

[WhiteCST]

Originally Posted by dropped_71chevy

To clarify, I don't believe Brother's kit includes a new drive shaft.

Thank you sir, I stand corrected. And another agreement with grumpy old man. 5k definitely sounds accurate for the full job completed if you buy a new bed. Maybe a little less if you do the conversion and weld it yourself. Or paint yourself etc. whatever your skills are.

[WhiteCST]

I am 100% sure someone will disagree with me as far as it hurting the value, but at least out in my area shortbeds are more expensive, regardless if they’re factory or converted. As long as they’re converted properly. And I forgot to say it before, nice truck! I’m currently building a 68 CST that I want to paint that color

[Boog]

Uh oh. Here we go again. 3,2,1
Some folks are pretty pasionate about the subject.

[cypressbog]

I say go ahead and cut it. A million of these trucks were made.

[70cst]

Go the way you want - not sure of cost but make sure it is done right.

For me … I would not buy a converted truck but that's me … many folks would.

I like LWB trucks - many folks prefer SWB trucks

As far as a SWB being more valuable than a LWB … not in all cases.

Good luck

That's my thoughts

By the way - your truck look cool already

[hotwls13]

Originally Posted by mistral

Ok, I have a 1968 LWB would I be crazy to convert it to a SWB? would I hurt the value? I am sure some guys have done it, what kind of costs would I be looking at?

Thanks.

Ron

Wow, nice truck! I like the SWB more than the longs. They are also more valuable. Do what you want, it's your truck.

If that was my truck, I'd probably leave it as is and build another. Haha

[morepwr]

If it is done right, it doesn't hurt a thing other than originality. If you are making it into a something you really want then I say go for it.

[Grumpy old man]

By the time your done your going to Have $5,000 invested with all the body parts and then paint /trim/bed floor/drive shaft etc,etc and the paint won't match

[jessemthompson]

I agree with grumpy old man. Your truck looks like it’s to far along to convert to a short bed. You may as well sell what you have and buy a short bed in the same condition. I would not cut that truck.

[dagnabbitt]

Nothing wrong with chopping a frame, but why not try it with a piece of junk first? The one you supplied a pic of is really a little too nice.

What will happen when after you chop is you will: sandblast and powdercoat the frame; replace the driveshaft; lower it; upgrade to disc brakes etc etc.

Might well do it with a truck that needs all that stuff anyway.

That said, its your truck!

[Southpaw69]

That's a nice looking truck sir. I don't think you'd be "crazy" to make it a short bed if that's what you really want. As far as value, I think you'll be ahead leaving it as is. By the time you pay to get it done right I don't think you'd get it back if you sold it. Judging from that picture, it's already in the high end category.

[mistral]

Thanks for the input guys. Yes a lot of work has gone into my truck. A guy spent three years on it. I think I will take the advice and leave it as it is. I am tight in the truck so I will concentrate on a different seat and maybe a turbo 400 trans. She needs another gear.

Ron

[WhiteCST]

I have a low mile th400 with a shift kit, too bad you’re in Texas

[stsalvage]

My one problem.Would your tear up a nice truck to do this No.That's why the guy below said they made a tone of these trucks.If every one is doing it find one half way done but the guy ran out of money.Buy it and finish it.I rather have 2 trucks instead of just one.Whats the fun in that.If your a diehard GM man having 2 of these trucks wont hurt you.Now this is what cracks me up the most about this He asked will it hurt the value.If your doing this to make more money yes it will unless your so good about covering up all the tale tale of converting your truck from long bed to short bed.Yes some guys later down the road will say you have a flip truck.That's like me putting SS badging on a Inline 6 camaro Nova or chevelle and saying its a true SS car every one laughs there ass off about guys buying Cars that look like yenko's has all the goodies But turns out it was a inline 6 with no options.

Trucks don't have that problem.But if you say its a factory short bed and you live in the south You might get a bullet or rock salt in your butt and live like a monk for the about 5 years or move out of the state No one like lyres.When you sell it be honest tell the truth and every one is happy

[mistral]

Originally Posted by stsalvage

My one problem.Would your tear up a nice truck to do this No.That's why the guy below said they made a tone of these trucks.If every one is doing it find one half way done but the guy ran out of money.Buy it and finish it.I rather have 2 trucks instead of just one.Whats the fun in that.If your a diehard GM man having 2 of these trucks wont hurt you.Now this is what cracks me up the most about this He asked will it hurt the value.If your doing this to make more money yes it will unless your so good about covering up all the tale tale of converting your truck from long bed to short bed.Yes some guys later down the road will say you have a flip truck.That's like me putting SS badging on a Inline 6 camaro Nova or chevelle and saying its a true SS car every one laughs there ass off about guys buying Cars that look like yenko's has all the goodies But turns out it was a inline 6 with no options.

Trucks don't have that problem.But if you say its a factory short bed and you live in the south You might get a bullet or rock salt in your butt and live like a monk for the about 5 years or move out of the state No one like lyres.When you sell it be honest tell the truth and every one is happy

No one said anything about lying about it being a factory short bed. You ever buy something from me I tell you everything I know even if it cost me money. The question about value was just that you have a converted truck that is up front what would that do to value. Mute point at this point.

[66clow]

I have no problem cutting one but that is too nice of a truck. It needs to look like mine did to cut. Lol what I have in mine is way cheaper than buying an original shortbed. Tried finding an original ended up going this route.

[bs46488]

I cut mine, so I'm not against cutting up a truck.

But mine was in a far worse starting condition than yours.