Want to cut LWB to SWB need help

[tavenner13]

hey everyone i posted a while back about a 72,000 original mile cherry that my buddy's mom has owned since it was new in '86. it's been sitting inside since the motor went bad back in 2002 and is begging to be loved... only problem is its a LWB and needs to be a SWB. are there any local guys in the east texas area that could give me a little info on the process? we both have no experience welding and would like to have some one else handle most of the dirty work on the frame. any suggestions? thanks in advance --aaron

[streetstar]

Find a trashed out shortbed with a bad motor for under a g-note. (they are out there in this bodystyle - anyone from 73 - 87 works) - then swap your cab and front clip over --- with luck the donor truck might even have a workable bed, who knows.

The reason people cut the older ones down is the quantity of these trucks is getting scarce -- The '67-'72's were only made 6 years and the lwb's probably outnumbered the shorties 2 to 1 (or more). - the 73-87's were made 15 years(millions more - literally) and there should be lots of donor shorty frames --- but if you still wanna cut it -- any race car chassis shop can handle it for a few hundred bucks - provided the bed is off . The cab will have to be raised too as the forward portion of a Z cut is right under the cab.


However --- you might give the LWB a shot -- they can turn out nice if done right, just like anything else

[tavenner13]

Originally Posted by streetstar

Find a trashed out shortbed with a bad motor for under a g-note. (they are out there in this bodystyle - anyone from 73 - 87 works) - then swap your cab and front clip over --- with luck the donor truck might even have a workable bed, who knows.

The reason people cut the older ones down is the quantity of these trucks is getting scarce -- The '67-'72's were only made 6 years and the lwb's probably outnumbered the shorties 2 to 1 (or more). - the 73-87's were made 15 years(millions more - literally) and there should be lots of donor shorty frames --- but if you still wanna cut it -- any race car chassis shop can handle it for a few hundred bucks - provided the bed is off . The cab will have to be raised too as the forward portion of a Z cut is right under the cab.


However --- you might give the LWB a shot -- they can turn out nice if done right, just like anything else

ok very cool thanks for the thorough response. ill remember that for sure.

[bigblock79]

great thread i would try to find a short bed frame to

[68GMC454]

personal i prefer the lwb,,but that was because i used them to haul stuff..now i dont need a lwb,,but got a 1ton for that,,so my next project will be a swb..i would look for a swb frame or donor truck...

[texassquarebodies]

Edited by Moderator

[tavenner13]

Edited by Moderator

[krue]

Please keep FS/WTB on the parts board where it belongs, thank you.

[texassquarebodies]

Sorry about that!!!

Tony