55-59 Long --> Short Bed

[RabidScott]

Any of you guys cut down a longbed of this era? I may have found an excellent parts truck for my '57, I want to use the cab and front clip off of it, and the bed as well, but its a longbed.

I was wondering if it was as simple as cutting off the end nearest the cab a few inches, and putting it all back together, or does a little need to come off each end? I'm not talking about framework, but that might be interesting to see as well.

I don't have the trucks next to each other, so I can't visualize, but looking at pictures on the 'net it looks like maybe just cab end of the bed needs to be cut.

Thanks guys!

[5Mike7]

There's some recnt thread about this a bit down on the page.

BTW, I'm about 40-45 miles from Livermore and have a decent shorbox, as well as some shortbox bedsides and the shorter steps as well. Might save you some work.

[Daniel U]

If the longbed chassis is the same as the '54, my mom wants one(If you don't cut it). I know that the '54 chassis differs from the '47-'53(from experience). Not completely sure why/when GM switched. My mom has a sb '54 Chevy pick up, but wants a long bed. She has the bed sides, just not the chassis. P.M me if you're interested or know if it would work.(Are you in SF?) Thanks, Daniel U

[5Mike7]

I'm pretty sure the '54 frame is narrower than the 55-59's.

[Daniel U]

So the 54-551st series truck frames were unique to that model production? Hmmmmm? Makes getting aa longbed chassis for my mom tougher then.

[5Mike7]

I don't know about that Daniel, you may find more info on the "ole-trucks" list. If you don't want to subscribe, let me know and i'll post the question for you.

[Gene Sharp]

If memory serves we well some of the 3/4 ton models had longer beds in the late 40s early 50s trucks

Gene Sharp

[Daniel U]

Originally Posted by 5Mike7

I don't know about that Daniel, you may find more info on the "ole-trucks" list. If you don't want to subscribe, let me know and i'll post the question for you.

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