67-72 purist do not look might upset you

[69chevytrucker]

now like the title says this might upset some but i did not start this to get a hard time . here is what im looking for , thoughts and other ideas on what i might be over looking . first i like custom stuff so i have come up with a idea , lots of guys stretch trucks ,some shorten to make a short box . well here is what i have and what i am thinking of doing , just looking for input if i am missing anything or if it just will not work.(but im a guy that knows with a cutting tool and a welder you can do anything.
my idea is 83 blazer frame 106.5 in wheel base keep it like that. put a 69 c-10 cab on it, now short box is 6 1/2 long but what if i took a step side from a 2000 or newer ext cab ,cause the box i think is like 5.8 or something close to that.
do you guys think that would work .
i have the blazer already and i have a 69 2wd . but i think i would find another 69 cab cause mine is too nice to tear apart as it is 90% done as a 2wd .
the reason for doing this is i think it would look kinda cool to make a micro short box 69 . please only reply with positive input not looking to be bashed looking for input from those who have imagination... thank you

[terry b]

You would be the only one on the block to have one and thats cool.

[Nitis]

The beds shorter than 6' were to my knowledge only found on 1/2 ton crewcabs starting in 2004 and were all fleet sides.

It would be much easier to either bob a shortbed or shorten the front or build a custom flatbed.

I don't know the particulars but why not just put the straight axles under your 69?

[69chevytrucker]

Originally Posted by terry b

You would be the only one on the block to have one and thats cool.

lol thats what i thought one of a kind i have a buddy thats pretty smart he did this to his truck so im sure if i have a issue he can help me with it
he put a 53 ford and stretched it and dropped it on a dodge with cummins power

[tcrist]

I think that it is yours so do what you want. It would be nothing more than a older Chevy pickup with a later model box. Seen it a thousand times and was thinking about changing my short 69 box step side for a later year (91 & up) short box step side.

I like the later step sides on the older trucks because I think that there is less work trying to line everything up. Body lines on a later fleet side is so much different than an older truck that there is a lot of work trying to match everything up.

JMO of course.

[69chevytrucker]

Originally Posted by Nitis

The beds shorter than 6' were to my knowledge only found on 1/2 ton crewcabs starting in 2004 and were all fleet sides.

It would be much easier to either bob a shortbed or shorten the front or build a custom flatbed.

I don't know the particulars but why not just put the straight axles under your 69?

looking to be one of a kind something different but only a little diff not overly noticeable

[Nitis]

Is your 69 a shortbed? Then swap the axles and you can pretty much bolt on any short box you want if you go to the blazer you will be fabbing a bed

[69chevytrucker]

wouldnt this be a 5.8 ft box

[69chevytrucker]

i know i can swap the axles or do a reg sort bed but im going for the 106 in wheel base instead of the common 115 in wheel base just trying to make it diff

[Nitis]

I could be wrong but pretty sure it's the same length 6.25 or whatever

Better get yor hands on one and measure it

But I am pretty sure the stubby beds didn't start until 2004 and were only fleet sides but if I am wrong I would like to know

Also fwiw I have seen that bed on a c10 and it wasn't bad

[low&slow]

I think anything is possible. I think if you can learn how to do fiberglass, than you can get a newer bed and shorten it to what you want. I know that on a 2006 chevy shortbed, the bed is 6ft, but I don't think it would really be that difficult to take out a couple of inches.

Now the other thing I'm wondering about is even though you can make any bed shorter or longer, what about the actual width of the bed being the same width as the cab whether it's a step side or fleet side?

Along with the width, what about body lines and overall shape of it matching up to the cab?

Now by all means I'm not bashing or trying to bring you down. Just maybe some more things to think about.

[71sierragrande]

Wouldnt it be easier to cut 11 inches out of a 67-72 step bed?

[hugger6933]

The above "stepside" or "sportside " bed what ever they are called now is the same as the regular short bed found on regular cab trucks and extended cab trucks. I rebuild late model wrecks and the late GM truck being my thing mainly 99-07 body style right now plus some SUV's and have actually done this[remove the "plastic" step bed and replace it with a short metal one]because of inventory and local taste [farmers prefer the regular bed].
Now as far as cutting a step bed down I am not by any means gonna say it is impossible, but it is surely impractical. Those sides are made of SMC and while they work similar to fiberglass are a little more temperamental to deal with. Any thing much larger than a normal size dent or breakout and it will drive you cra cra. Jim

[dirtyjim]

I've seen a few pick-up on blazer frames and it usually takes a second look to spot what's different about it

[69chevytrucker]

Originally Posted by dirtyjim

I've seen a few pick-up on blazer frames and it usually takes a second look to spot what's different about it

thats the answer i was looking for wasnt sure if it has been atempted
kind figured someone had to have drop a 80's truck on one

[69chevytrucker]

Originally Posted by low&slow

I think anything is possible. I think if you can learn how to do fiberglass, than you can get a newer bed and shorten it to what you want. I know that on a 2006 chevy shortbed, the bed is 6ft, but I don't think it would really be that difficult to take out a couple of inches.

Now the other thing I'm wondering about is even though you can make any bed shorter or longer, what about the actual width of the bed being the same width as the cab whether it's a step side or fleet side?

Along with the width, what about body lines and overall shape of it matching up to the cab?

Now by all means I'm not bashing or trying to bring you down. Just maybe some more things to think about.

thanks for the input as for the bed it would look ok i have seen the late 80's step sides on a 69 the body lines are great together thats kinda how i got the idea but just like the wheel base on the blazer so i might just give it a go
and yes if i do it i will post pics of the complete build

[69chevytrucker]

i guess i could use a fleetside and cut it i think that mjght look cool

[Nitis]

Yeah originally the blazer was intended to be a shorter short bed

[special-K]

I'd just make a '69 shortbed to fit. I don't think any bed will just bolt-on fit anyway. I've seen it done and it looks great