Long to short ... 4x4?

[special-K]

Many people are stuck on the "has to be a shortbed to be cool" mentality. But with a minor opening of the mind they should see in the 4wd world a K/20-K2500 is top dog just as cool as it's short little buddy. I'm not saying don't do it. I'm saying your truck's already totally way cool in patched paint proven by people's reactions about everywhere you go. It's not like it needs all that work to be cool. Just seems like an ain't broke don't fix it scenario to me. Suburbans and Panels are really cool. They look cool shorthened up, too. But they are what they are and people think they are just plain cool being what they are. One of the coolest things about SWB K/10s is the rarity, which doesn't come into play on a made-up truck. I put highly optioned K/20s, SWB K/10s, and SWB BBC C/10s all at the top of most collectible 67-72 trucks. Are all 67-72s collectible? Yes!

[CG]

Yeah I see what you are saying. It would never even cross my mind to cut up my truck. But people like what they like. Look at all the cars and trucks you've seen over the years that you think WTH? And there stands the owner all proud as punch over his "cool" ride.

[special-K]

Yep. Different strokes. The thing is, if you want to create a shortbed 4wd 67-72 there are better ways than shortening a factory 67-72 4wd.

I had a '71 SWB K/10. I had 1t axles, 37/12.50-16.5 Swampers on powder coated 8.25 wheels, and necessary lift springs, etc. Then I decided the truck was worth more original and a truck like I wanted could be built from other stuff. Then I was going to put all that stuff under my white GMC. But I decided the truck should stay pretty original K2500 and I could always build a big tough 1t 4wd 67-72 out of other stuff.

[Jens Jimmy]

I sold a project burb at Mecum auction in Indy, about 5 years ago. They had probably 6 or 7 swb k trucks. I crawled under every one, looking at cab supts., frames, etc. Everyone of them was a cut down frame.
Several brought more than my frame off 4wd 72 Suburban. I was speechless! The hack jobs and obvious bondo should of killed them in my opinion, but was I wrong.
People bought shiny short 4x4s.
There were three of them that brought high 20s, that I would have had a hard time putting 5K in.
These trucks have a strange following and the most un predictable up and down market that I have ever seen, but our love and dedication will keep them around forever.

[harpo231]

cool aint all its cracked up to be

[nickp51chevy]

I miss my first 71. It was a 4*4 and I liked it just the way it was. Wouldn't have hurt to have s little extra lift on it. I think oldiron has a damn fine example of a 4*4. If I could afford it off buy it from him.

[KQQL IT]

Our '68 makes me laugh every time I see one of these threads. It has to be on of the few stretched swb in the country.
And will stay that way.

[special-K]

One of the coolest square bodies I ever saw, back in the '70s, was a really well done C20 or C30 stretched to 12' with tandem axles. It was that factory green a bit richer than Medium Olive with chrome spoke wheels. The wheel opening was either stretched straight across the top or dipped between wheels...can't recall. But it was all done 100% like Chevy could have built it. I was looking at it as a functional improvement while being totally custom, which is what trucks have always been about. Function #1, but if you can make it look good.... Great! I thought it would be perfect for a drywall or aluminum siding contractor, but require hauling 12' or more material hanging out the back of an 8' bed. For siding contractors, they could run a 4' longer ladder rack for their walkboards up to 32' long.

[flashed]

I like long and short bed 4x4 trucks but would never shorten my long bed 4x4 .I have a 67 or 68 short bed stepper to sell or if it dont sell we will build it .I have just got into the 4x4 trucks and now dont know how I ever managed without one ,now have 3.