Shorten 60-66? - The 1947 - Present Chevrolet & GMC Truck Message Board Network

71/454 · 10-13-2006, 06:20 AM

Hi all,
Usually i hang out on the 67-72 page so this is a bit new to me. I have shortened my 71 Gmc and wondered if it is possible to do this with a 64 that my friend owns. I think the frames are the same from 63 and up, maybe a different bracket here or there. Can you just bolt short bedsides to it after trimming the floor? do they make repop short bedsides? thanks for any help you can give, Dave

bpmcgee · 10-13-2006, 12:58 PM

I think you'll have to move a bunch of stuff, because the wheelbase is different.

On a 2WD 1/2 ton, that would require moving the trailing arms, etc, which could be a major PITA, especially if you have the X-ed frame (that was 60-63??)

Brian

**damnyankee36** · 10-13-2006, 03:08 PM

It's not hard to shorten a long bed. A little time consuming, but not difficult to do it right. It's the same procedure as the 67 to 72 years.

Basically, it involves removing a 12" section directly in front of the rear cab mounts. Move the rear cab mounts back 12". Also, remove 8" from the rear frame rails.

Remove 12" and 8" bed side sections at the front and rear closest to the ends as possible. Remove the front and rear sills. Shorten the bed wood the same amount and locations as the bed sides. Install a one-piece drive shaft.

This method will result in a frame identical to the short wheel base truck without moving the trailing arm mounts. I shortened my long wheel base and it worked perfect.

If I can find the magazine article I used on this subject, I'll post it here.

Larry

Demmit_Hemmit's 65 · 10-13-2006, 06:19 PM

Why couldn't you find a donor shortbed truck and use the frame and bed.........Sounds like a lot of effort to go thru to get a shortbed.......JMO....................If your longbed is in good shape you might be able to sell it to help finance the deed.........Hemmit

71/454 · 10-13-2006, 08:12 PM

The shortbeds up here are as rare as hens teeth and priced high if you find one. its only a little bit of time or a couple hundred for a welder to do it to shorten the frame. And for my 71 you can reuse some of the crossmembers or buy new theyre so cheap and boxsides are less than 500 a side if you can get a jobber rate and presto chango its a shortbox. It all depends on your point of view what you like and my friend wants a short one, just not sure how bad.

10-13-2006, 06:20 AM	#1
71/454 Turbo Guy Join Date: Jan 2005 Location: Calgary Alberta Posts: 353	Shorten 60-66? Hi all, Usually i hang out on the 67-72 page so this is a bit new to me. I have shortened my 71 Gmc and wondered if it is possible to do this with a 64 that my friend owns. I think the frames are the same from 63 and up, maybe a different bracket here or there. Can you just bolt short bedsides to it after trimming the floor? do they make repop short bedsides? thanks for any help you can give, Dave __________________ 1972 Gmc Custom swb intercooled twin turbo 327 10.5-1 and 12 lbs of boost, Nodular iron case super t-10 4 speed with a blowproof bellhousing, 12 bolt eaton posi soon to have moser axles. 1998 Honda CR250 fully ported, case matched, milled head, vortexed carb and revalved suspension but don't forget the woody woodpecker decal kit! Things I've broken so far: 12 bolt diff saginaw 4 spd many, many pieces Aluminum case Super t-10 4 spd

10-13-2006, 12:58 PM	#2
bpmcgee Registered User Join Date: Mar 2003 Location: Northern Illinois Posts: 2,181	Re: Shorten 60-66? I think you'll have to move a bunch of stuff, because the wheelbase is different. On a 2WD 1/2 ton, that would require moving the trailing arms, etc, which could be a major PITA, especially if you have the X-ed frame (that was 60-63??) Brian

10-13-2006, 03:08 PM	#3
damnyankee36 Senior Member Join Date: Sep 2002 Location: Alamogordo, NM Posts: 694	Re: Shorten 60-66? It's not hard to shorten a long bed. A little time consuming, but not difficult to do it right. It's the same procedure as the 67 to 72 years. Basically, it involves removing a 12" section directly in front of the rear cab mounts. Move the rear cab mounts back 12". Also, remove 8" from the rear frame rails. Remove 12" and 8" bed side sections at the front and rear closest to the ends as possible. Remove the front and rear sills. Shorten the bed wood the same amount and locations as the bed sides. Install a one-piece drive shaft. This method will result in a frame identical to the short wheel base truck without moving the trailing arm mounts. I shortened my long wheel base and it worked perfect. If I can find the magazine article I used on this subject, I'll post it here. Larry

10-13-2006, 06:19 PM	#4
Demmit_Hemmit's 65 Senior Member Join Date: Mar 2002 Location: Peru, Indiana Posts: 741	Re: Shorten 60-66? Why couldn't you find a donor shortbed truck and use the frame and bed.........Sounds like a lot of effort to go thru to get a shortbed.......JMO....................If your longbed is in good shape you might be able to sell it to help finance the deed.........Hemmit

10-13-2006, 08:12 PM	#5
71/454 Turbo Guy Join Date: Jan 2005 Location: Calgary Alberta Posts: 353	Re: Shorten 60-66? The shortbeds up here are as rare as hens teeth and priced high if you find one. its only a little bit of time or a couple hundred for a welder to do it to shorten the frame. And for my 71 you can reuse some of the crossmembers or buy new theyre so cheap and boxsides are less than 500 a side if you can get a jobber rate and presto chango its a shortbox. It all depends on your point of view what you like and my friend wants a short one, just not sure how bad. __________________ 1972 Gmc Custom swb intercooled twin turbo 327 10.5-1 and 12 lbs of boost, Nodular iron case super t-10 4 speed with a blowproof bellhousing, 12 bolt eaton posi soon to have moser axles. 1998 Honda CR250 fully ported, case matched, milled head, vortexed carb and revalved suspension but don't forget the woody woodpecker decal kit! Things I've broken so far: 12 bolt diff saginaw 4 spd many, many pieces Aluminum case Super t-10 4 spd



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