Longbed to shortbed conversion

[ebfabman]

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=5SgaTYFSEj4

[CousinTone]

Originally Posted by 19673ontree

Aren't you supposed to also shorten the frame on the long to short conversion. This is weird looking with the rear wheel at the tailgate. Something just looks wrong on this truck. It's paint is awesome, but I can't get over the placement of the rear wheels.

[CousinTone]

I'd like his info too. I'm interested.

[CousinTone]

Originally Posted by 66clow

I'm in LA and search for months for a short bed I ended up buying a conversion from a guy in Arizona. He buys decent long beds and converts them. He's done a bunch of them. I have had no issues with the ride or fit or anything. Saved a bunch of money compared to an original swb. He did the 5 lug conversion, pb, ps,frame and engine painted, new bed sides, and rockers. Just enough to put my personal touch on it now. Still have a ways to go to finish it but getting there. I had it shipped from there for about $300. Probably saved myself 3k from an original swb in the same condition.

I'd like this guys I info, I'm in the market and would appreciate all the work and time savings.

[ebfabman]

Frame is 12 inches shorter. The difference is just in front of the rear suspension control arm mount cross member. Suspension components are the same, short or long wheelbase.

[Skip44]

My question is this; as I am new to the 67-72 Chevy/GMC truck I don't want to cut up something that might be valuable. I am buying a 71 long bed step side, is this something that should be left alone or are there many of these trucks around so it won't matter?

Skip

[Coley]

Originally Posted by 19673ontree

, long bed trucks and four door cars are or at least they were usefull vehicles that's why they were made but today older cars and trucks are toys and everybody wants them for the way they look
.......for the most part people like short bed trucks and two door cars ,,,

Equating long bed trucks to a 4 door car is about as ridiculous a statement that can be made in the classic truck hobby.
The reality of value and desireability is utterly different...this site proves that out every day.
Try again...

Coley

[swamp rat]

Originally Posted by Skip44

My question is this; as I am new to the 67-72 Chevy/GMC truck I don't want to cut up something that might be valuable. I am buying a 71 long bed step side, is this something that should be left alone or are there many of these trucks around so it won't matter?

Skip

A long bed stepside is kinda rare, there has been a few of them in threads here if ya do an advanced search you may find some more info. i think i have read somewhere how many were produced.

[Skip44]

Originally Posted by swamp rat

A long bed stepside is kinda rare, there has been a few of them in threads here if ya do an advanced search you may find some more info. i think i have read somewhere how many were produced.

Thanks as I get more familiar with the site I will search for the info.

Skip

[mattowar]

Could you send me his contact info?

Originally Posted by 66clow

I'm in LA and search for months for a short bed I ended up buying a conversion from a guy in Arizona. He buys decent long beds and converts them. He's done a bunch of them. I have had no issues with the ride or fit or anything. Saved a bunch of money compared to an original swb. He did the 5 lug conversion, pb, ps,frame and engine painted, new bed sides, and rockers. Just enough to put my personal touch on it now. Still have a ways to go to finish it but getting there. I had it shipped from there for about $300. Probably saved myself 3k from an original swb in the same condition.

[swamp rat]

Originally Posted by Skip44

Thanks as I get more familiar with the site I will search for the info.

Skip

Just type in Key words like Longbed Stepside, Long bed Step, Longbed production numbers, Longbed's produced, ect.also search for posts or threads to further refine. only draw back is having to wait a minute between searches.

http://67-72chevytrucks.com/vboard/search.php

[Gmc.guy]

Originally Posted by Skip44

My question is this; as I am new to the 67-72 Chevy/GMC truck I don't want to cut up something that might be valuable. I am buying a 71 long bed step side, is this something that should be left alone or are there many of these trucks around so it won't matter?

Skip

If in good shape I wouldn't shorten it. Buy the shortbed and shorten the frame. You can swap your fenders onto it too. there is likely interest in it if you advertise and sell the long bed

[66clow]

Trying to send info but your box is full.

[66clow]

Originally Posted by mattowar

Could you send me his contact info?

Trying to send but your box is full.

[Skip44]

Originally Posted by Gmc.guy

If in good shape I wouldn't shorten it. Buy the shortbed and shorten the frame. You can swap your fenders onto it too. there is likely interest in it if you advertise and sell the long bed

Thanks for the help. I have not decided what I am going to do. I do know that if I don't use that bed I will preserve the entire bed and put it up on blocks until I decide what to do with it. Maybe it can help fund the build.

Skip

[Skip44]

A couple of key strokes later and the number is 7269. Not very rare at all. Although there were 206313 fleetside made. Thanks for the help.

Skip

[raggedjim]

7269 built 45 years ago. Probably 75% used, abused and junked. It's rarer than you think...

But I'd still rather have a short stepper...

Rg

[Skip44]

Originally Posted by raggedjim

7269 built 45 years ago. Probably 75% used, abused and junked. It's rarer than you think...

But I'd still rather have a short stepper...

Rg

It is lowest production number of longbed stepsides produced in the 67-72 trucks.
Skip

[tutone]

Used to, seemed like the long-steps were pretty much limited to county and state road dept. trucks and such in our area. We have still a few in the area that are the 73-87 body style, but I remember 60-66 and 67-72 as well . I guess it depended on the preference of the truck purchaser. A long bed step held more gravel and dirt than a short, and was easier to clean out when the day was done than a fleet side, at least according to a friend of mine who retired from the state road dept. I'm not a big fan of the look either.