long bed to short bed What does it take?

[dinotruck68]

I really love my long bed truck 68 k10 but even before i had a truck I've always liked the idea of having a go an fit anywhere short bed truck.. i found my longbed for a damn good price so i got it first chance i got...

so i was wonderin what and how much $$ would it take to make my longbed a shorty, cuz i'd like to do it someday

[68caliRat]

The easiest way would be to not cut the longbed, and by a short..


I'm not a fan of cutting them. so I'll give you a little bit of a hard time on it.

I never have a hard time taking my truck anywhere I want to go, including parking. I may own a shorty some day but I'll buy one when I do..

[ed2552]

It won't cost much, but it will take a LOT of time, if you do it your self, there is a thread about it somewhere.

[72BlckButy]

and mearsuring...

Check out the Krue's FAQ post in my signature, if I remember correctly there was a FAQ on shortening a LWB frame.

Good luck with it if you decide to cut it up. I think it is a fairly simple task, now that more people have done the job.

[killer71]

doesn't cost much just a little time.....scroll down through this thread http://67-72chevytrucks.com/vboard/s...=269754&page=4

[dinotruck68]

why buy another truck when i already hav one?? this is my first truck ive always wanted a 68 4x4..and not every body has enough money to own more than one of these gas guzzlers.. i dont see a need for more than one truck anyways, this is why im considering getn work done on it ..i also own one of maybe 3 or 4 running 4x4 68's down here where i live.. as it is i drove 500 miles to get my truck, an dont wanna do it again

[custom72c20]

Originally Posted by 68caliRat

The easiest way would be to not cut the longbed, and by a short..


I'm not a fan of cutting them. so I'll give you a little bit of a hard time on it.

I never have a hard time taking my truck anywhere I want to go, including parking. I may own a shorty some day but I'll buy one when I do..

That's what I am going to do. I have a 3/4 ton longbed and am swapping the body onto a 1/2 ton short bed frame.

[dinotruck68]

its my first truck i dont mind cutting it up a bit, i wouldnt change the frame i want to atleast keep the original frame... besides 68-72 4x4 trucks are very very hard to find round here all you see are blazers an a jimmy or two.. a frame or a truck is somthing you have to travel for

[pulltilbroke]

Don't cut it

If your having trouble parking it you might need some parking or driving lessons. Just kiddin

If I were you I would sell it to me and buy a shorty

IMO I dont like seeing them cut up

[dan42]

[dinotruck68]

naw parking isnt a problem lol.. and no i dont wanna sell but thanx anyways
its my 1st truck an i love it ..i just dont like getting high centered to much

like on this hill here if i would hav went any further i would beat the hell outta my carrier bearing

[streetstar]

Originally Posted by dinotruck68

:
its my 1st truck an i love it ..i just dont like getting high centered to much

So put on some 38's instead of those 34's (or 35's whatever)

easiest deal is to buy a new shortbed bed kit from year one or a similar place --- then py someone to cut your frame down and brace it up for you ---- get a new driveshaft, paint everything to match, and voila -- new shortbed (for only 7k -- assuming 2500 for the bed, 500 for driveshaft and 4k for paint)--- having a hack bodyman ruin your existing longbed trying to cut it down -- priceless

[dinotruck68]

cant run 38's on a daily driver , yea bigger tires make adifference but if i had a short bed i wouldnt be getn hung up on everything ..
well i guess il see after i put 6 inches on it an 35's...maybe i'l change my mind bout getn it cut up

[67ChevyRedneck]

Originally Posted by dinotruck68

naw parking isnt a problem lol.. and no i dont wanna sell but thanx anyways
its my 1st truck an i love it ..i just dont like getting high centered to much

like on this hill here if i would hav went any further i would beat the hell outta my carrier bearing

From that angle, I could almost swear your truck already looks like a shortbed...

[dinotruck68]

yea it does kinda look like it in this 1 but no its pretty long

[jandones]

Hey the swap isnt that bad... I've done it myself and it came out perfect. Just gottta have some good ol welding skills and you'll be fine. Just triple check all of your measurements and before you weld your frame back together measure it it 4 different places to make sure its square. Measure in a X pattern. and Parallel.
I cut out 20 inches out of the bed. 12 in the front and 8 in the rear. Same with the frame. 12 inches outta the center and just 8 off the back. Very Simple

[jandones]

Heres some more pictures

[special-K]

If you have trouble getting high-centered alot maybe you need 4-wheelin`lessons.
Jst putting a twist on another response.But,seriously,if you`re into wheelin` I`m not sure a spliced frame is such a good idea.Have some respect for the longbed.The wheelbase isn`t that much longer.

[streetstar]

Originally Posted by dinotruck68

cant run 38's on a daily driver , yea bigger tires make adifference but if i had a short bed i wouldnt be getn hung up on everything ..

I'm from Oklahoma, and if "Alamo" means San Antonio, then your from Texas --- take a look around next time your on the highway --- Every other contractor out there has a late model F-250 or Chevy HD with 38's on it , using them for daily drivers.- I have a friend who is a roofing contractor who thought his F-350 on 36's was too small, so now he drives a CXT (International) Psycho

Of course, if your using 1/2 ton running gear, it would be best to limit it to 36" tires max, even then you will have to gear down. But the 1/2 ton braking systems just aren't adequate for tires too much bigger without some equipment upgrades

[dinotruck68]

im more of a mud runner but the few times i hav tried crawlin on stuff my carrier bearing tries to get in on the action lol..
but im starting to think after i get my lift an bigger tires on il change my mind about shortening my truck

[72BlckButy]

jandones .... great job on shortening the frame/bed.

[dinotruck68]

well acutally a couple hundred miles south of san antone.. way down here close to mexico...an barley anyone drives anything that big..except for those guys running 20 or 22 inch wheels on there late model ford an chevy's..but i dont really count them as 4x4's anyways

[jandones]

Hey thanks 72BlckButy Its been quiet the challenge. But well worth it
I just picked up the rims and stuff. and finishing up the body work on the cab Will post more pictures