Well...I've Stepped In It Now!

[Dingfodgy]

After much planning, researching, and gathering of the nads to do it- I've finally started hackin' the LWB down to a shorty. I'm using the guidelines that Rckrln posted and so far it is going fairly well. However, without the steel floor to hold stuff together, unsupported sheet metal can get to whippin' around as a result of some thrilling sawz-all action! I've posted pics for your viewing pleasure and will keep updating as I progress.

Wish me luck ya'll !!!

[VA72C10]

Vest wishes on an ambitious project! I'll be watching the progress!

[stllookn]

Looks like a great start...you have tackled the most difficult section first.

[67_C-30]

I salute your courage to tackle that kind of sectioning!

[ShowSS12]

good luck as I hopefully attempt to do this if I can't find a SWB bed.

[Rokcrln]

Looking good so far just remember to tripple check your fitment before welding. Get one side all clamped up then look down the side to make sure it is not bowed in or out before you tack it all. Then after it is tacked look again and if it is not just right cut the tacks loose and start over. Trust me the time you spend now will be nothing if you get to the body work part and then find the problems.

Kevin
LFD Inc.

[Dingfodgy]

Originally Posted by Rokcrln

Looking good so far just remember to tripple check your fitment before welding. Get one side all clamped up then look down the side to make sure it is not bowed in or out before you tack it all. Then after it is tacked look again and if it is not just right cut the tacks loose and start over. Trust me the time you spend now will be nothing if you get to the body work part and then find the problems.

Kevin
LFD Inc.

Thanks for the advice Kevin. I'm off to Harbor Freight today to snag some of those panel clamps, so I can hold everything together as I tack. I'll also make sure to measure diagonally from corner to corner to maintain square.
Again- thanks for your inspiration and wealth of documentation- without it, I'm sure I wouldn't have the intestinal fortitude to attempt this.

[graverobberATL]

I always thought that the beds were the same from the wells back. I guess not.

[HoupPhotography]

Isn't there was more to making a long bed short..... Is this the "easy" way to do it.....
The way I've heard it done is the bed is completly removed, the frame has modifications done and the front of the bed is cut, no?

[Riveted1]

Originally Posted by HoupPhotography

Isn't there was more to making a long bed short..... Is this the "easy" way to do it.....
The way I've heard it done is the bed is completly removed, the frame has modifications done and the front of the bed is cut, no?

His transformation has just begun....

[franky69c10]

looks good cant wait to start mine bed cut

[Bishops Trucks]

Best of luck to ya! I'll be watching the progress of your build.

[desertPOS]

no offense, but your cuts look crookid as sh*t... Seems like it'll be hard to weld it all up easily without filling alot.

[BurnoutNova]

Originally Posted by desertPOS

no offense, but your cuts look crookid as sh*t... Seems like it'll be hard to weld it all up easily without filling alot.

it would be if the gaps were big, but look at the gaps, there pretty even all the way down.

you'd be supprised how ugly nice looking bodywork starts out sometimes

[TonyJohnson]

Originally Posted by desertPOS

no offense, but your cuts look crookid as sh*t... Seems like it'll be hard to weld it all up easily without filling alot.

Kinda hard to say that and not be taken as offensive...

[Number98]

[Dingfodgy]

Originally Posted by TonyJohnson

Kinda hard to say that and not be taken as offensive...

No worries brother.....I'm not offended! I know what DesertPOS was gettin' at....he just has a very abrasive and disrespectful way of communicating. Nonetheless, the cuts do wander a bit (a sawzall doesn't always cut perfectly straight) but as somebody pointed out- I don't care if the line is crooked to all hell, as long as the gap between panels is 1/16" and the overall length is where I need it.

[TonyJohnson]

[Dingfodgy]

Captains Log......has corn in it!!

Here's an update to my LWB to SWB "Hack-o-Rama". I layed out my cuts for the passengers side and proceeded with the sawz-all surgery! I get the tail piece removed and stepped back to gander at wreckage and what did I see? Oh yes, my friends.....the dreaded BONDO! Scads of it in fact! FRICK, FRICK, FRICK!!! So instead of tacking on the replacement tailpiece (cut from a donor bedside) I found myself laying out the cut lines for removing another 12" of sheet metal. Fortunately I still have the donor bedside so getting the additional section is no problem. Besides, as the photos show the "L" strip along the bottom of the inner bed is toast so the silver-lining is that I'll be fixing two evils with one patch panel......but G.D. that's alot of stitch welding!
Nonetheless, progress is being made, just very slowly I'm afraid.

[desertPOS]

Originally Posted by Dingfodgy

No worries brother.....I'm not offended! I know what DesertPOS was gettin' at....he just has a very abrasive and disrespectful way of communicating. Nonetheless, the cuts do wander a bit (a sawzall doesn't always cut perfectly straight) but as somebody pointed out- I don't care if the line is crooked to all hell, as long as the gap between panels is 1/16" and the overall length is where I need it.

Alright, alright.... Didn't mean to hurt anyone's feelings here. It was more like 'ribbing' you a bit. I hate filling gaps, so that was just my first thought when I saw it. Props for taking on such a big project, and I'm sure it'll look great when it's done. If you want to see some wicked gap filling action, here is a pic from when I shortened my off road truck. LITTLE bit wrinkly... Sorry if I offended anyone...

[TonyJohnson]

That'll buff right out...

Wow...