Longhorn to shortbox conversion - The 1947 - Present Chevrolet & GMC Truck Message Board Network

davepl · 12-28-2011, 12:14 AM

Is doing a longhorn to shortbox conversion any more challenging, or significantly different from, starting out with a regular longbed? It's a 3/4 ton, if that matters.

I've found a truck that would be perfect for me, if only it were a shortbox, but its a longhorn. I know there have been tons of regular-to-short conversions, but never seen a long-to-short conversion.

Thanks!
Dave

Longhorn Man · 12-28-2011, 12:51 AM

It'll ride REAL rough. It's on a one ton frame which is taller and thicker than a half ton.
I guess it could be done though. Don't forget to chop off the added 6 inches too though.
Hate to see it happen personally.
Posted via Mobile Device

**Already Gone** · 12-28-2011, 02:01 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by davepl

Is doing a longhorn to shortbox conversion any more challenging, or significantly different from, starting out with a regular longbed? It's a 3/4 ton, if that matters.

I've found a truck that would be perfect for me, if only it were a shortbox, but its a longhorn. I know there have been tons of regular-to-short conversions, but never seen a long-to-short conversion.

Thanks!
Dave

Try Craigslist in Seattle and look for a 1972 Black shortbox that was listed yesterday for 6500.
Posted via Mobile Device

http://seattle.craigslist.org/tac/cto/2753226605.html

cdowns · 12-28-2011, 07:05 AM

i think of the tons of chopjobs started more end up in the dumpster than actually on the road as viable finished trucks

**special-K** · 12-28-2011, 09:42 AM

I saw this title and thought,"That'll raise an eyebrow or two". It makes no sense to me. Leave the Longhorns to people who want Longhorns...they're out there. To a truck guy that like buying a Z/28 to make a COPO 427 Camaro clone. Start with a lesser donor,if you must hack up anything. My opinion aside,look at what Longhorn Man said. You would be choosing the hardest possible path. It's a different frame,not just longer and it is leaf spring. The most of these trucks made were C/10 long Fleetsides. They are the same truck,on;y longer.

1972RedNeck · 12-28-2011, 02:00 PM

kcsa75 · 12-28-2011, 03:15 PM

I agree with the others. Why screw up a perfectly good Longhorn?

There are lots of trucks out there, short and long. Go screw up one of those!

Vintage Windmills · 12-28-2011, 03:52 PM

I can see why a longhorn would be attractive for such a thing. Longhorns often have a big block, are hard loaded and many led an easy life of hualing a box protecting camper by mature people. Judging by your signature I suppose thats your dilemma. That being said, I'd still go after a c10 for the frame and suspension. Now, please tell me its not a 68 50th anniversary.

*WAAF* · 12-28-2011, 04:04 PM

In todays day andage of ebay craigs list.. there is no reason to chop up a truck..
look for what you want.. yes it might require a plane ticket to go look at it..
you'll be farther ahead getting what you want. instead of making what you want..
can what you want to do be done. sure.. but ask yourself why.. when you can get a short box truck and then make it yours .. ya you'll pay more upfront for it.. as they are the ones everyone wants.. (well not everyone.. no me)
but by the time you cut this thing and get a short bed your at the cash for a shortbox truck in the first place..
good luck..

12-28-2011, 12:14 AM	#1
davepl Registered User Join Date: Aug 2006 Location: Redmond, WA Posts: 6,332	Longhorn to shortbox conversion Is doing a longhorn to shortbox conversion any more challenging, or significantly different from, starting out with a regular longbed? It's a 3/4 ton, if that matters. I've found a truck that would be perfect for me, if only it were a shortbox, but its a longhorn. I know there have been tons of regular-to-short conversions, but never seen a long-to-short conversion. Thanks! Dave __________________ 1970 GMC Sierra Grande Custom Camper - Built, not Bought 1969 Pontiac 2+2 427/390 4-speed Coupe 1969 Pontiac 2+2 427/390 4-speed Convertible

12-28-2011, 12:51 AM	#2
Longhorn Man its all about the +6 inches Join Date: Jan 2001 Location: Hilliard Ohio Posts: 2,690	Re: Longhorn to shortbox conversion It'll ride REAL rough. It's on a one ton frame which is taller and thicker than a half ton. I guess it could be done though. Don't forget to chop off the added 6 inches too though. Hate to see it happen personally. Posted via Mobile Device

12-28-2011, 07:05 AM	#4
cdowns Senior Member Join Date: Jan 2003 Location: daytonabeach Posts: 22,956	Re: Longhorn to shortbox conversion i think of the tons of chopjobs started more end up in the dumpster than actually on the road as viable finished trucks __________________ 71c-10 350/2004r/4:11 lowered3/4 longbed/dead by hurricane MEANING OF DEATH::::: SOMEBODY ELSE GETS YOUR STUFF DONT BELIEVE EVERYTHING YOU THINK TAKE MY ADVISE;I DON'T USE IT ANYWAY

12-28-2011, 09:42 AM	#5
special-K Special Order Join Date: Nov 2004 Location: Mt Airy, MD Posts: 85,851	Re: Longhorn to shortbox conversion I saw this title and thought,"That'll raise an eyebrow or two". It makes no sense to me. Leave the Longhorns to people who want Longhorns...they're out there. To a truck guy that like buying a Z/28 to make a COPO 427 Camaro clone. Start with a lesser donor,if you must hack up anything. My opinion aside,look at what Longhorn Man said. You would be choosing the hardest possible path. It's a different frame,not just longer and it is leaf spring. The most of these trucks made were C/10 long Fleetsides. They are the same truck,on;y longer. __________________ "BUILDING A BETTER WAY TO SERVE THE USA"......67/72......"The New Breed" GMC '67 C1500 Wideside Super Custom SWB: 327/M22/3.42 posi.........."The '67" (project) GMC '72 K2500 Wideside Sierra Custom Camper: 350/TH350/4.10 Power-Lok..."The '72" (rolling) Tim "Don't call me a redneck. I'm a rough cut country gentleman" R.I.P. ~ East Side Low Life ~ El Jay ~ 72BLUZ ~ Fasteddie69 ~ Ron586 ~ 67ChevyRedneck ~ Grumpy Old Man ~

12-28-2011, 03:15 PM	#7
kcsa75 Registered User Join Date: Oct 2010 Location: Kansas City Posts: 3,590	Re: Longhorn to shortbox conversion I agree with the others. Why screw up a perfectly good Longhorn? There are lots of trucks out there, short and long. Go screw up one of those! __________________ Willie Swamp Angel Truckers '72 C10 Highlander *People who blindly follow a GPS end up on television programs on The Weather Channel. Some survive, some don't.*

12-28-2011, 03:52 PM	#8
Vintage Windmills Vintage 4x4s Join Date: Sep 2010 Location: Prior Lake, MN Posts: 4,305	Re: Longhorn to shortbox conversion I can see why a longhorn would be attractive for such a thing. Longhorns often have a big block, are hard loaded and many led an easy life of hualing a box protecting camper by mature people. Judging by your signature I suppose thats your dilemma. That being said, I'd still go after a c10 for the frame and suspension. Now, please tell me its not a 68 50th anniversary. __________________ 67 GMC K1500 Custom- 305V6 SM420, PTO, Ram Assist, yellow (the outcast) (project period correct upgrades) 67 GMC C2500 351V6 TH400, AC, PS, PB (can't decide what to do with. Update, decided to keep and will restore ) 86 CHV K30 502 th400, apple red NEW 71 CHV K20 350 SM465, ochre (saved work truck) 71 CHV K20 292 SM465, white, tach, PTO, (future project) 72 CHV K20 350 350th, medium blue (project stocker) 01 CHV K2500hd crew, indigo blue ^3 dont run and the others don't see winter either '86 K30 Cummins "Fireside" thread: http://67-72chevytrucks.com/vboard/s...d.php?t=649649 '71 K20 "get driveable" thread: http://67-72chevytrucks.com/vboard/s...d.php?t=590642 '72 K20 Build Thread: http://67-72chevytrucks.com/vboard/s...=493477&page=6

12-28-2011, 04:04 PM	#9
WAAF Account Suspended Join Date: Dec 2011 Location: ma Posts: 278	Re: Longhorn to shortbox conversion In todays day andage of ebay craigs list.. there is no reason to chop up a truck.. look for what you want.. yes it might require a plane ticket to go look at it.. you'll be farther ahead getting what you want. instead of making what you want.. can what you want to do be done. sure.. but ask yourself why.. when you can get a short box truck and then make it yours .. ya you'll pay more upfront for it.. as they are the ones everyone wants.. (well not everyone.. no me) but by the time you cut this thing and get a short bed your at the cash for a shortbox truck in the first place.. good luck..

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