cab to bed gap - The 1947 - Present Chevrolet & GMC Truck Message Board Network

Tom · 01-08-2003, 04:07 PM

I've been thinking [yes I now have a headache] I really dont like how much gap there is between the bed and the cab of my trucks. I was thinking on the fleetside, I could get a second bed, cut a section out, and extend the shortbed a couple inches to loose the gap. Either that or maybe cutting a longbed would work? Of course it would take a fair bit of welding and grinding, but does it sound do-able? Do you guys think it would look good?

Prerunner1982 · 01-08-2003, 04:15 PM

of make a panel to go between the cab and bed and remove the gap all together.. like some old ford trucks had..

PHOENIX · 01-08-2003, 04:44 PM

Is the gap really that bad? Your bed flexes when you go over bumps and stuff if you close the gap too much your bed may hit your cab and cause damage, just my guess.

SCOTI · 01-08-2003, 06:52 PM

Phoenix is right. On my 68, since the truck sits so low, the arc of the trailing arms @ the lowered ride height actually reduced my wheelbase 1/2". I didn't like the gap between the cab/bed, so I moved the bed as far forward as possible w/the rear wheels still centered in the rear wheelwell (you couldn't fit your hand between the bed/cab). It looked great until that little old lady in the caddy broadsided me & shoved the bed into the back of both sides of my cab because there was no room for movement or flex. Food for thought.

Prerunner1982 · 01-09-2003, 02:09 AM

my gap was stock and i have a nice LARGE dent in the back of my cab..

Prerunner1982 · 01-09-2003, 02:20 AM

PHOENIX · 01-09-2003, 12:38 PM

Then you need a bigger gap

Tom · 01-09-2003, 12:41 PM

Im not too worried about flexing or getting hit. If I get hit, they can repair the bed/cab and anything else

Thanks for the input guys.

chevychic · 01-09-2003, 03:03 PM

I know a lot of people that have done this to their trucks. They make them a unibody. I can talk to one of my old friends from the club and find out how he does it and let you know if you want.

The lack of flex is really hard on the trucks but it has been done. You just have to be careful.

01-08-2003, 04:07 PM	#1
Tom driving is in my blood Join Date: Dec 1999 Location: Mesa AZ Posts: 5,748	cab to bed gap I've been thinking [yes I now have a headache] I really dont like how much gap there is between the bed and the cab of my trucks. I was thinking on the fleetside, I could get a second bed, cut a section out, and extend the shortbed a couple inches to loose the gap. Either that or maybe cutting a longbed would work? Of course it would take a fair bit of welding and grinding, but does it sound do-able? Do you guys think it would look good? __________________ -78 c10 short/step: 388cid, M20, 5/5 drop, lots more. Playtoy and first vehicle. -98 c1500 x-cab: 5.7L, 17" rims, 5/6 drop, flowmaster, helper bags,NBS rear disk brakes. -02 Suburban 4x4: leveled front -CBR600F4i, CBR600RR, CBR1000RR, and standup skis DISCLAIMER: I cant spell for the life of me.

01-08-2003, 04:15 PM	#2
Prerunner1982 Registered User Join Date: Oct 2002 Location: Edmond, OK Posts: 5,904	of make a panel to go between the cab and bed and remove the gap all together.. like some old ford trucks had.. __________________ Jon 1982 Chevy Silverado 350/th350.... RETIRED 1993 Jeep XJ 2 door(Cherokee) 4wd 4.0ltr/AX-15 (5spd)/NP231 .... Oklahoma Roll Call

01-08-2003, 04:44 PM	#3
PHOENIX Registered User Join Date: Oct 2002 Location: Phoenix, Arizona Posts: 4,703	Is the gap really that bad? Your bed flexes when you go over bumps and stuff if you close the gap too much your bed may hit your cab and cause damage, just my guess. __________________ * AVOID: LOPER'S PERMORANCE / LOPERSPEED.COM OF PHOENIX, AZ & COTTMAN TRANSMISSION *

01-08-2003, 06:52 PM	#4
SCOTI Registered User Join Date: Apr 2001 Location: DALLAS,TX Posts: 22,064	Phoenix is right. On my 68, since the truck sits so low, the arc of the trailing arms @ the lowered ride height actually reduced my wheelbase 1/2". I didn't like the gap between the cab/bed, so I moved the bed as far forward as possible w/the rear wheels still centered in the rear wheelwell (you couldn't fit your hand between the bed/cab). It looked great until that little old lady in the caddy broadsided me & shoved the bed into the back of both sides of my cab because there was no room for movement or flex. Food for thought. __________________ 67SWB-B.B.RetroRod 64SWB-Recycle 89CCDually-Driver/Tow Truck 99CCSWB Driver All Fleetsides @rattlecankustoms in IG Building a small, high rpm engine with the perfect bore, stroke and rod ratio is very impressive. It's like a highly skilled Morrocan sword fighter with a Damascus Steel Scimitar..... *Cubic inches is like Indiana Jones with a cheap pistol.*

01-09-2003, 12:38 PM	#7
PHOENIX Registered User Join Date: Oct 2002 Location: Phoenix, Arizona Posts: 4,703	Then you need a bigger gap __________________ * AVOID: LOPER'S PERMORANCE / LOPERSPEED.COM OF PHOENIX, AZ & COTTMAN TRANSMISSION *

01-09-2003, 02:09 AM	#5
Prerunner1982 Registered User Join Date: Oct 2002 Location: Edmond, OK Posts: 5,904	my gap was stock and i have a nice LARGE dent in the back of my cab..

01-09-2003, 02:20 AM	#6
Prerunner1982 Registered User Join Date: Oct 2002 Location: Edmond, OK Posts: 5,904

01-09-2003, 12:41 PM	#8
Tom driving is in my blood Join Date: Dec 1999 Location: Mesa AZ Posts: 5,748	Im not too worried about flexing or getting hit. If I get hit, they can repair the bed/cab and anything else Thanks for the input guys. __________________ -78 c10 short/step: 388cid, M20, 5/5 drop, lots more. Playtoy and first vehicle. -98 c1500 x-cab: 5.7L, 17" rims, 5/6 drop, flowmaster, helper bags,NBS rear disk brakes. -02 Suburban 4x4: leveled front -CBR600F4i, CBR600RR, CBR1000RR, and standup skis DISCLAIMER: I cant spell for the life of me.

01-09-2003, 03:03 PM	#9
chevychic Registered User Join Date: Oct 2002 Location: Chanhassen, MN Posts: 1,061	I know a lot of people that have done this to their trucks. They make them a unibody. I can talk to one of my old friends from the club and find out how he does it and let you know if you want. The lack of flex is really hard on the trucks but it has been done. You just have to be careful. __________________ *ChevyChic* 86 Chevy K-10 If I can't be a good example, then I'll just have to be a horrible warning. "You're braver than you believe, and stronger than you seem, and smarter than you think" - Christopher Robin



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