Why does everyone LWB to SWB?

[rcrahn]

LWB wheelbase = 127"
SWB wheelbase = 115"
Those are the facts.
Men that drive LWB have 12" more.....
All kiddin aside, tell me this longhorn isn't great looking.....

[clos69]

Looks like a SWB from that angle.

[Longhorn Man]

sure don't look like a longhorn

[special-K]

Longbed compared to shortbed.Same as Impala compared to Nova,`55 Belair to a Delray,Coupe/Sedan...

[jbristo67]

Originally Posted by rcrahn

Not everyone wants a SWB. True, many do. Why, I guess they just want to fit in or to follow the crowd. Too be safe. Or they are completely focused on "what will it be worth in the end".

If everyone thought that way we wouldn't even be driving a truck. We would all drive a Camry or Accord. That would be the end of the story. And how boring life would be.

Myself, I like the LWB. Not only that but I like the C20 LWB fleetside. It has been a long road building it but fun. We (my son and I) had it notched and bagged (courtesy ChiefRocka) and it is now a smoking foundation. Yes, we retained the 8 lugs. Long and lowwwwwww. To go along with the heft of the 3/4 ton frame we added a 14 bolt rearend w/discbrakes and a custom built watts link. Drivetrain will be an LQ9/4L80E. NOW THAT IS BEEF. This will be our show/tow/ and go working vehicle. When we pull into any car show I guarentee it will stand out among the hundreds of look alike SWB out there. And that my fellow board members is in my opinion what this hobby is all about, being different from every other guy and having fun......

Fact is being different than the other guy in most parts of the country means having a SWB. For every 1 swb I see I can spot 500 LWB. They are harder to find. I bought mine to be different. The first one of the trucks I fell in love with was a LWB back when I was about 9. I am 27 now and this is my taste it has nothing to do with fitting in.

[jbristo67]

Originally Posted by Skirkpat

Alot more people drive long beds, I think that would make them more popular, the Shortbed's supposed superior value is a result of the supply and demand since fewer were built not because they are more popular. If they truly were the "most" popular truck GM would have built them in larger numbers right?

LWB were more popular back then because pickups were work vehicles plain and simple. This is not the case any more. Also in 67 and 68 there were more 6 cylinders than 8's now who would rather have a 6 cylinder now???????

[Mike J]

Originally Posted by jbristo67

now who would rather have a 6 cylinder now???????

Um, I would! I wanted a 6cyl to be different and I plan on keeping it. My truck is gonna be low and slow, just like I want it- and I love all the room in the engine bay.

[leddzepp]

Just get one of each like I did! Then, you can roll LWB one day, and SWB the next. Problem solved.

[jbristo67]

That is a little different. I like haveing a little lope and rumble though

[Daves72'GMC]

I like my long bed, because I've got all of the options like the 402BB ,Turbo 400 AT , dana 60 rearend.

[jbristo67]

But you can always add those to any truck. Unless your truck is 100% original there is no reason not to turn it into exactly what you want

[jbristo67]

the main thing is to be happy with what you have because you like it. No one in my family likes my truck (well thats not true my son does) and only one of my friends likes it. It is a good thing i am not building it for them

[powerline84]

for me it was a no brainer...i love the look of a long and low meen truck..plus i can put my harley in the back of it. I love my longbed.

[rockc]

I have the short step and long wide and both are 4X4's. I like them both and I added a 2" lift to both of them. That gives me more clearance in the snow here.

[texanidiot25]

Their sissies with bad reverse parking skills of course!


I like big butts, and I cannot lie.

[tk-mpl]

SWB trucks are defenatly more desireable and worth more to most people. My truck was a LWB until the P.O shortened it. If I do it over again I would like to build a long box...
Trevor

[Skirkpat]

Originally Posted by jbristo67

LWB were more popular back then because pickups were work vehicles plain and simple. This is not the case any more. Also in 67 and 68 there were more 6 cylinders than 8's now who would rather have a 6 cylinder now???????

How many longbeds are built for every shortbed, not just then, but now? And every other year that trucks have been thought of ? I understand you like shortbeds (I like them too), I understand that people that go to car shows tend to fix up and show short trucks more often....I get it , Put simply they are rarer, coveted by collectors, possibly more valuable but they are not "MORE POPULAR" that term would be reserved for the model that is ordered, purchased, and owned in the largest number , not in 1969 but every year it does not matter if you work it or not, those are the facts or numbers or whatever you want to call it.

I love shorbeds, I drive a shortbed, I do not own a Longbed, but that does not change the fat that Longbeds are more popular, always have been and always will be as long as sheet goods measure 4 feet by 8 feet. By the way, I love longbeds also, I love cars period.

Special K , Try this analogy Longhorn = Impala, Longbed = Chevelle, Shortbed = Nova ?

[Skirkpat]

Originally Posted by Mike J

Um, I would! I wanted a 6cyl to be different and I plan on keeping it. My truck is gonna be low and slow, just like I want it- and I love all the room in the engine bay.

You and alot of other people, The days of the Big Block are numbered, Remember $4 gas, it will be back....and then everyone will want your straight 6 setup !!!!

[70cst]

Long live LWB's

[Longhorn Man]

but a lotta ppl don't think it's worth it to get one or two MPG increase and have a total lack of torque.

[70cst]

Originally Posted by Skirkpat

You and alot of other people, The days of the Big Block are numbered, Remember $4 gas, it will be back....and then everyone will want your straight 6 setup !!!!

This is a valid thought...except...how many of us who have BB drive our BB Trucks as our DD's? Not me. My BB CST is the trucks versions of the BB Muscle car that I cant afford. It's not speed that impresses me but you just can't beat the sound of an authentic BB!!! And...a BB LWB Truck ROCKs. JMHO

[67_C-30]

Originally Posted by Longhorn Man

but a lotta ppl don't think it's worth it to get one or two MPG increase and have a total lack of torque.

I agree. In fact, my red '69 SWB fleet with a 350/TH350 gets slighty better fuel mileage than the blue '69 SWB fleet with 250/3 OTT. The red truck has a lot more options, and is heavier, but the 350 moves it with ease. My experience is that the fuel mileage on the inline 6's is overrated.

[67_C-30]

Darn it! Now we have 2 cans of worms open!

All we need now is small rear window vs large rear window, GMC vs Chevy grills, and stepside vs fleetside.

It actually a wonderful problem to have isn't??

[Longhorn Man]

the only 2 vehicles I own are big blocks.... but it looks like a small block rig may be joining in.
Small block for now anyways.
And it ain't a LWB either.

[67_C-30]

Originally Posted by Longhorn Man

the only 2 vehicles I own are big blocks.... but it looks like a small block rig may be joining in.
Small block for now anyways.
And it ain't a LWB either.

Hey Hey Hey! Elaborate please!!!

oh and...