Short vs Long

[heavychevy79]

Originally Posted by rod86

i like long beds - they just seem proportioned more evenly than a shorty in that the tray/bed shouldnt be shorter than the cab... just my opinion...

That's how I see it. I had a short fleet and a short step and they both looked
stubby to me after seeing them every day.

I think a 7 foot bed would be ideal on any big body truck.
Pre 60s trucks look fine to me with a 6 foot bed because the cab is smaller.

You could put a sleeper cab on it and make it look shorter.

But get what you really want, don't let us decide for you.

[Hoods69BadBowTie]

Originally Posted by N2TRUX

In my mind things have to be symmetrical, and have balance to flow properly. The proportions of a SWB truck are symmetrically correct, and become enhanced when lowered.

I use the same sense of balance on a lifted truck. Once raised in the air a LWB looks more visually correct.

x2 Thats exactly my thinking as well. I am not super picky though I use 4wheel drive up here and like the long beds but if there's an awesome deal on a short bed I will probably take it.

[enaberif]

Yah I found a white SWB for $3000 and a black SWB for $1500.

Going to take a look hopefully at both today.

[73CheyenneSuper20]

I prefer longbed, and for the same reason I prefer 3/4 ton... It's big!

[Damien]

I like them all. LWB look funny to me when they are lowered. I used my swb for hauling 4'x12' sheetrock. Just had to put the tailgate down and put a couple long 2"X4"s under them.

[Longhorn321]

Originally Posted by bigblock73

It is funny how people say they like long beds because they are different. For the record, there were more long beds produced than short beds.

Yeah, I didn't do an actual comparison of the production numbers but how many were built was not what I meant. I meant to say that LWB is different 'cause it's less in the limelight. You don't see so many in the magazines or at Barrett Jackson. Lot's of people are just so rabid about SWB trucks, it just kinda turns me off. Kinda like having a Model T or Model A...yeah, so...everybody and their brother's got one too. JMHO

[lurch115]

i like both long and short beds.....the long box is nice cause you can have a tool box in the front and still haul a 4 wheeler around with the tailgate up, and when hauling stuff like furnature or plywood they come in 8ft. sheets most of the time. i also think that long box trucks tend to ride a little smoother because of the extra metal weight...

the short box trucks are nice cause they fit into tighter places, and they look sweet lowered imo....

[CUSTOM DELUXE]

I have to agree with N2TRUX, he has said what I was thinking when I read the post. Although, I have nothing against the Long beds. The long beds have an awesome ride.

Originally Posted by N2TRUX

In my mind things have to be symmetrical, and have balance to flow properly. The proportions of a SWB truck are symmetrically correct, and become enhanced when lowered.

I use the same sense of balance on a lifted truck. Once raised in the air a LWB looks more visually correct.

[flamingbig10]

I prefer short beds because they will fit in my garage

[78 Chevyrado]

Originally Posted by flamingbig10

I prefer short beds because they will fit in my garage

that's the soundest reasoning yet...

[James McClure]

Since I finished mine I got a 7' X16" trailer. Nothing goes in the bed anymore. If I have to haul stuff it goes on the trailer and I do lots of hauling for a decking company. One of the guys tried putting something in the bed and lets just say no one goes near the truck anymore. Only thing I let in the bed wears a bathing suit or less. I didn't spend 14 grand restoreing it to bang the crap out of it. Long beds look nicer and are much smoother a ride. They also handle better if you get into a skid. just my 2 cents. jim

[enaberif]

On these older trucks if there is rust through box floor is it just easier to replace the box?

There is other rust like around the fenders which I expect.. but what about the floor?

[slugish]

definitely like the lwb,s lifted & theswb,s lowered . Asfar as stock height, Igive the edge to the swb,s, but the difference to me is slighter than the lifted vs the lowered.

you know ,what a boring world this would be if we all had the same tastes in stuff & all enjoyed doing the same thing. Must be getting late ,I M getting philisophical . :

[enaberif]

Originally Posted by slugish

definitely like the lwb,s lifted & theswb,s lowered . Asfar as stock height, Igive the edge to the swb,s, but the difference to me is slighter than the lifted vs the lowered.

you know ,what a boring world this would be if we all had the same tastes in stuff & all enjoyed doing the same thing. Must be getting late ,I M getting philisophical . :

Slug its all good.

The general consensus is that people like the shorts better cause they look better grounded.

Because of that I'm going to look into getting a long box

I very well may get that blue one.. but it would need a new box before next winter.

[lvschevytrucks]

I like my 87 4x4 swb, with the extra lift from the factory, she might ride like a lumber wagon but I like the way she looks sitting there. I dont need a truck to haul my tool box around. And if I need a sheet of plywood it fits purfect with the gate down....lol. when I replaced the roof on my garage, she brought home the palet of shingles without a problem. Shes never let me down when I needed a Truck. And she sure has turned a lot of heads in her day. Cant wait till she's done with the "project stage", so she will again

[enaberif]

Does the long box come in a 1/2 ton or only 3/4 ton?

[Prong]

You can get the long box in 1/2, 3/4, and 1 ton.

[willett]

if a truck is raised i think LWB looks better, and a shorty looks better lowered.

[stepside454]

for me its like comparing a 2door vs 4 door of the same model car.
The 4 door is really more practical & utilitarian than the 2 door in most cases. but the 2 door almost always looks much better.
So, for me, long bed is better for its hauling abilitys, short is much better for looks etc.

[streetstar]

I prefer long beds too, much to many of my buddie's amazement. No one understands why i would pour money and labor into a "second tier" vehicle. Oh well, late 60's and early 70's Nova's were 2nd tier musclecars once too, and now they are commanding handsome prices

But for me, a truck complements my lifestyle,. not governs it, --- so i enjoy smooth towing when i have a moderately heavy dirt bike trailer -- on the other hand, when i go naked (no trailer) i load my bike in and slam the tailgate home. On top of that, i have grown to really prefer the looks of my long and lanky trucks --- even though one will never see a load any heavier than a gym bag, as the oak bed wood kit is on the way.


Both my late model trucks have short beds and i have to cock the bike sideways to close the tailgate -- thats fine for 1 bike, but is a pain for 2. I also believe that a lot of late model trucks look homely with a long bed unless they are single cabs, but they look right at home on a '67 - '87

[Longhorn321]

Originally Posted by stepside454

for me its like comparing a 2door vs 4 door of the same model car.
The 4 door is really more practical & utilitarian than the 2 door in most cases. but the 2 door almost always looks much better.
So, for me, long bed is better for its hauling abilitys, short is much better for looks etc.

Naw man...Long legged women are much better than the short stumpy ones!

[thirdstreettito]

I prefer long, you can do everything with it you can do with a shortbed, plus more. Like hauling wood, anything.

[Blazer Eagle]

well i would have to say swb (blazers are pretty darn short)

but i think the best looking truck is a 73-78 crew cab long bed single wheel

unless you live in the city then that is a defanite no-no

[powerdriver 1958]

Sworn to Fun,Loyal to None!! Had Them all.Right now there is a 75 short step 4X4 with a snow plow on it cause in little parking lots its wonderful.84 1 ton cause for 450.00 who cares what bed it has. BTW, Is it a long fleet step??..........84 mud truck,started as a long bed.Cut it to a short bed but not for looks.Cut it for the weight transfer go fast kinda thing.With that being said,I have one that i wished i had back..........

[stepside454]

Originally Posted by Longhorn321

Naw man...Long legged women are much better than the short stumpy ones!

Point taken. LOL just dont tell my wife