54 Chevy, with 9 foot bed

[flostrac]

I have an opportunity to purchase a 54 Chevy, 3/4 ton, in good condition for $1,000. The truck has a 9 foot bed. I don't want the 9ft bed, what options are there? Can I shorten the frame, and install a short bed?
Thanks, for any ideas.

[Root2812]

If its in nice shape and has a title then its worth $1000 easy. You could shorten the frame or just buy a shortbed frame off a guy doing a s10 swap. Or do a s10 swap yourself. I have also seen people cut the bed down from long to short or you can just replace the bed sides and reposition the cross bars. Just a little engineering.

[Chris.]

Yes you can shorten the frame. You can also shorten the bedsides
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[flostrac]

Are the wheel bases the same? It seems longer in the pictures. I haven't seen the truck in person.

[mr48chev]

I think that one has a 137 inch wheelbase and is rated at one ton. If it had a really nice 9 foot bed I'd be inclined to either sell the bed to someone wanting to redo a truck with that bed or trade it for an equally nice short bed.

The price sounds pretty decent at today's prices for a real solid truck with a clear title.

[Root2812]

Which wheel bases? Please clarify your question.

There were 3 beds. Short, long, and longer. You have the longer one.

[flostrac]

Originally Posted by Root2812

Which wheel bases? Please clarify your question.

There were 3 beds. Short, long, and longer. You have the longer one.

The wheel base between the front and rear tires. I have no problem cutting the frame behind the rear tires. I wouldn't cut the frame between the tires.

[Root2812]

The wheel bases are longer on the longer bed trucks so you would have to cut the frame down between the wheels.

[OrrieG]

Everything you need to know about the frame:
http://chevy.oldcarmanualproject.com...esto/54129.htm

short bed:
http://chevy.oldcarmanualproject.com...esto/54060.htm

long bed (90"):
http://chevy.oldcarmanualproject.com...esto/54068.htm

longer bed (108.25")
http://chevy.oldcarmanualproject.com...esto/54076.htm

This info came from the site in my signature. when you click the link you land on a 56 frame page, scroll down to the year index link.

[65Ch3v3LL3]

Shortening the frame isn't really a big deal if done correctly. However if you do indeed have the 9 foot bed then your truck is a 1 ton. Therefore rear end gear ratios are going to be really really low. Also brake parts for the 1 ton drums are hard to come by. Like others said, you should either buy a 1/2 ton frame or do the S10 frame swap. The cabs and front sheet metal are all the same. Also please don't cut down that 9 foot bed. They are hard to come by. I am in need of one for my truck but sadly you are too far away to come get yours. Some of us crazy guys like the big 1 ton trucks with the long beds.

[flostrac]

Thanks everyone, I decided to pass. I would want to keep the truck as original as possible.

[_Ogre]

i'd keep the long bed
everyone has a short bed
you'd be the only one with a 9 foot bed

[Dan in Pasadena]

Originally Posted by _Ogre

i'd keep the long bed
everyone has a short bed
you'd be the only one with a 9 foot bed

I agree.

You're passing on what sounds like a decent deal.

[Richard8971]

I just bought a 1954 3800 with a 9 foot stock step-side bed for $1500.00.

It is NOT exactly what I wanted BUT, I started thinking that if I scrapped the stock long bed and replaced it with a nice wooden flat bed then I may end up with something different and unique.

I decided to keep the 1-ton look with a flat bed. Only having to deal with the cab (as per body and paint work) makes for a quick build.

I say go for it. These trucks are getting harder to find, so grab one that most people would pass by and do something that is not like the 90% of the '54 Chevy trucks out there. I cannot imagine a single person not taking a second look at your finished truck driving down the road.

D