New Member Here...57 Longbed Frame Cut??? - The 1947 - Present Chevrolet & GMC Truck Message Board Network

fuel68 · 12-16-2006, 10:03 AM

I have a 57 Longbed but want to make it a shortbed. How much has to be cut out of the frame and what is the best way to achieve my goal? It will be IFS front with ladder bar rear most likely. I will post some pics of the truck in its current state soon. It's not a pretty site..haha...but you gotta start somewhere right?...Thanks for any info!

Ben

krue · 12-16-2006, 01:46 PM

I'm no help with your questions but I would like to be the first to say......Welcome to the board.

entourageguy · 12-16-2006, 02:34 PM

OK then I'll be 2nd.

..

Usually to shorten to short box 9" is removed just past the cab mounts. Some people box it in or use the cut out piece welded in from the back side and overlapped. ()
As always pics are great
Brian ...

56chevy1300 · 12-16-2006, 02:35 PM

Hi,

I did a simple google search and found that the wheelbase of the shortbed is 114.0" and the longbed is 123 1/4" so take out 9 1/4 out of the frame.

But do your own homework and make sure these #'s are accurate.

Hope this helps,

Ross

68c10owner · 12-17-2006, 03:21 AM

my buddy had a 55 p/u that was a long bed that was shortend. I don`t know how much was taken out but I do remember it being just past the cab. I also know that the long bed boxes are longer fron the rear of the fender to the tailgate area. He was going to put a bed cover on it but found the difference in lengths from a standard shortbed. Other than that, you never would have known it was a long bed orginally. he ended up balk halving it and left the bed open to show off the suspension.

fuel68 · 12-17-2006, 08:39 AM

Thanks guys for the quick reply. I have some idea now which direction to head...I hope to have some initial pics up this week! I have another project keeping me busy now but after the first of the year I am gonna hit the project hard! Thanks again...

Benjamin

Jebb1978 · 12-17-2006, 11:16 AM

1-ton of fun · 12-18-2006, 12:39 PM

it is longer in the front and back of the wheels. the side steps are longer, and the bed extends farther past the fenders.

why cut it? i am keeping my long bed.

Sweet&LowPro55 · 12-19-2006, 01:49 PM

Hey...

to the site !!

too ........

56chevy1300 · 12-20-2006, 12:33 PM

Here are pics of a 51 converted from a longbed to shortbed (I know its a different year, but may give you some ideas).

12-16-2006, 10:03 AM	#1
fuel68 Registered User Join Date: Dec 2006 Location: Winchester Posts: 30	New Member Here...57 Longbed Frame Cut??? I have a 57 Longbed but want to make it a shortbed. How much has to be cut out of the frame and what is the best way to achieve my goal? It will be IFS front with ladder bar rear most likely. I will post some pics of the truck in its current state soon. It's not a pretty site..haha...but you gotta start somewhere right?...Thanks for any info! Ben

12-16-2006, 01:46 PM	#2
krue Designated A-hole! Join Date: Mar 2003 Location: South Mississippi Posts: 36,448	Re: New Member Here...57 Longbed Frame Cut??? I'm no help with your questions but I would like to be the first to say......Welcome to the board. __________________ "If it ain't broke, fix it 'til it is!" Being stupid ain't illegal. We're Still Debt Free Except for the House!!! www.daveramsey.com 70 GMC SWB Stepside project "Green Booger" soon to be 6.0l/4l80e 93 S-10 "Poppaw's Truck"

12-16-2006, 02:34 PM	#3
entourageguy Yellow truck club Join Date: Apr 2006 Location: Barrie Ontario Posts: 2,080	Re: New Member Here...57 Longbed Frame Cut??? OK then I'll be 2nd. .. Usually to shorten to short box 9" is removed just past the cab mounts. Some people box it in or use the cut out piece welded in from the back side and overlapped. () As always pics are great Brian ... __________________ ................................................................ Brian ...... My hub garage address http://www.hubgarage.com/mygarage/59apache I gue$$ everything has it'$ price ALL GONE NOW *59 Chev Apache* *PRAISE THE LOWERED* 350 700r lokar shifter power MII front end, shockwaves tilt, 4 wheel discs 4-link and bags 10 bolt limited

12-16-2006, 02:35 PM	#4
56chevy1300 Registered User Join Date: Dec 2006 Location: Edmonton, Alberta Posts: 522	Re: New Member Here...57 Longbed Frame Cut??? Hi, I did a simple google search and found that the wheelbase of the shortbed is 114.0" and the longbed is 123 1/4" so take out 9 1/4 out of the frame. But do your own homework and make sure these #'s are accurate. Hope this helps, Ross

12-17-2006, 03:21 AM	#5
68c10owner Registered User Join Date: Oct 2003 Location: Carmichael, California Posts: 3,005	Re: New Member Here...57 Longbed Frame Cut??? my buddy had a 55 p/u that was a long bed that was shortend. I don`t know how much was taken out but I do remember it being just past the cab. I also know that the long bed boxes are longer fron the rear of the fender to the tailgate area. He was going to put a bed cover on it but found the difference in lengths from a standard shortbed. Other than that, you never would have known it was a long bed orginally. he ended up balk halving it and left the bed open to show off the suspension. __________________ Anthony

12-17-2006, 08:39 AM	#6
fuel68 Registered User Join Date: Dec 2006 Location: Winchester Posts: 30	Re: New Member Here...57 Longbed Frame Cut??? Thanks guys for the quick reply. I have some idea now which direction to head...I hope to have some initial pics up this week! I have another project keeping me busy now but after the first of the year I am gonna hit the project hard! Thanks again... Benjamin

12-17-2006, 11:16 AM	#7
Jebb1978 Senior Member Join Date: Aug 2005 Location: Mesa,Az Posts: 3,713	Re: New Member Here...57 Longbed Frame Cut??? __________________ 1959 GMC project

12-18-2006, 12:39 PM	#8
1-ton of fun polishing a turd Join Date: Dec 2004 Location: houston, tx Posts: 674	Re: New Member Here...57 Longbed Frame Cut??? it is longer in the front and back of the wheels. the side steps are longer, and the bed extends farther past the fenders. why cut it? i am keeping my long bed.

12-19-2006, 01:49 PM	#9
Sweet&LowPro55 Registered User Join Date: Dec 2006 Location: Holland Michigan Posts: 125	Re: New Member Here...57 Longbed Frame Cut??? Hey... to the site !! too ........ __________________ http://i142.photobucket.com/albums/r...MyExtremeD.jpg ~ '55 Chevy Pro-Street P.U. Powered by 396c.i. ~ ~ '01 ChevyS10 Extreme LS Ext. cab ~ '92 Camaro RS 25TH.Limited Edition Aniv.Convert. ~ '98 Dodge Ram Van 5.7 Litre ~ '98 E-Z-GO Golf Car ..Tony Stewart Edition !! '69 Camaro SS..SOLD .. Still crying !! Last edited by Sweet&LowPro55; 12-19-2006 at 01:50 PM.

12-20-2006, 12:33 PM	#10
56chevy1300 Registered User Join Date: Dec 2006 Location: Edmonton, Alberta Posts: 522	Re: New Member Here...57 Longbed Frame Cut??? Here are pics of a 51 converted from a longbed to shortbed (I know its a different year, but may give you some ideas). Attached Images

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