Fix long bed or make into short bed?

[RamAirZ]

Well guys, when I get moved to minnesota in June, I will be starting work on my 67'. I haven't seen it in person, but from talking to my brother-in-law, there is some bad rust right above the wheel wells, seems to be some in the bed, the wood is decent but old and would need replaced of course, and he said there is a nice size dent (thinks it might be able to pull out). I'm debating if I should fix the long bed that is there and replace the wood etc, or should I shorten the frame and make it into a SWB truck. If I did that I would use a step-side bed from an 88-98 as they are a dime-a-dozen in the yards and fairly cheap and can be found in great shape. That and they line up with the body lines pretty decent from the pics I've seen. I would also try to round the wheel openings to match original, and I would keep the original taillights instead of using the newer style (just slap LED's in the originals). Opinions? Here are a few pics of the truck and bed

[RamAirZ]

Oh, I also thought about getting a 73-87 bed and using the 67-72 steodside fenders instead, seems like easy enough since both bolt on.

[Brad]

Looks like a new bed is in order either way so personally I'd shorten it. Those late model beds can look good if aligned correctly but nobody ever takes the time to round out the wheel well so yours would look fantastic if you decide to do it. I'd leave the tailights original to the bed if it were me doing the project.


Ok, I just went back and realized you have a 4x4 which changes everything. Although I like SWB 4x4's, LWB 4x4's look great with lift and I'd just look for another LWB bed. Not only that but you'd have better ride quality if you left the LWB length.

[RamAirZ]

Ya I'm planning on putting either 33's or 35's on it and cleaning up the original rally's and putting the chrome trim rings back on them and later chrome 4x4 center caps with the wheel itself coated black. Ya I agree the lifted longbeds look good, but the lifted short beds look good too. I don't know, I'm going to have to see what is in order once I get out there.

[72armyswbtruck]

i'd shorten it, a short wheel base 4x4, spendy once restored

[RamAirZ]

Ya I'm thinking that I might go that way. Shoot I can get the 88-98 bed for 400 bucks, that's less than just the wood would cost for my bed. I can do all the shortening and welding. not sure how I will tackle the wheel wells if I did that but we'll see. I was thinking it would be neat to put the steel taillight buckets in place of the factory taillights on that 88-98 bed, then cut out holes to mount the original taillights off my bed. Just an idea I have again. I'd love to find a factory 67-72 stepside bed but finding a decent one will be $ plus most likely I will have to put alot of work into it anyways. The wife is keeping a budget on this build so have to be smart