Making a factory looking steel bed bottom for a Longhorn. - The 1947 - Present Chevrolet & GMC Truck Message Board Network

Classic Heartbeat · 09-12-2007, 08:01 PM

Well for the last day or so I have been working on the bed for my Big Block Longhorn 4X4. I like steel bed bottoms, but GM didn't ever make them for the Longhorns..... So I am doing it myself!! Here are the pics so far. WES

Classic Heartbeat · 09-12-2007, 08:04 PM

A couple more pics.. WES

Longhorn Man · 09-12-2007, 08:17 PM

I saw one in a junk yard one time. I was goin nuts becouse you couldn't see the seam..I was literally saying (quite loud aperently too) WTF????
I finally looked underneath and could see the welding scars.
Quite cool though.

Classic Heartbeat · 09-12-2007, 08:31 PM

I'm just a fan of the steel bottoms. I like the way they look and the ease of taking care of them. Don't get me wrong, there is nothing more beutifull than a wood bed floor, but the maintence to keep it that way is too much for me..lol Besides, I like it when somone looks at my trucks and scratch their heads like they know that something is different, but can't quite figure it out. WES

67ChevyRedneck · 09-12-2007, 08:32 PM

Thats cool!

Are you going to have to raise the bed? I guess some extra shims underneath?

Are you going to fill the seam on the outside of the bed? I've always wondered why noone ever fills it in on a restored one, I think it would be cool to "hide" it's a longhorn, yet make people look twice, like, why the heck does that longbed look so long???

Longhorn Man · 09-12-2007, 08:40 PM

to hide it, would be to ignore it's herritige... like denying it it's small part in the spot light

Classic Heartbeat · 09-12-2007, 09:10 PM

No need to shim it up when you bolt on a factory bed bottom. The sills under it are tall enough. I am not welding up the seem though. I want people to know it's a Longhorn. I am just building (in my opinion) the truck that I feel that GM should have built but didn't. It will be a Big Block Cheyenne Super Longhorn 4X4 with T-400 trans and NP205 transfer case, Dana 70 rear, Dana 60 front, 3.08 Gears, and of coarse every option that GM offered in 1972. WES

**kwmech** · 09-12-2007, 11:28 PM

I contemplated the same thing for quite a while on my 68---------then bought the wood kit. I want to build another in a year or so and do the steel floor.

Classic Heartbeat · 09-12-2007, 11:33 PM

Yep, Dare to be different..lol WES

longhorn70gmc · 09-13-2007, 12:08 AM

I like the inspiration. Wes, we all need to dare and be different. I am starting to catch that bug. Outstanding tasking and I can’t wait to see it finished.

67ChevyRedneck · 09-13-2007, 10:33 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Classic Heartbeat

No need to shim it up when you bolt on a factory bed bottom. The sills under it are tall enough. I am not welding up the seem though. I want people to know it's a Longhorn. I am just building (in my opinion) the truck that I feel that GM should have built but didn't. It will be a Big Block Cheyenne Super Longhorn 4X4 with T-400 trans and NP205 transfer case, Dana 70 rear, Dana 60 front, 3.08 Gears, and of coarse every option that GM offered in 1972. WES

That's going to be awesome!

manimal · 09-13-2007, 11:40 AM

Are you using the original cross sill from the wood floor? Or did you use the steel floor's?I have been wanting to do the very same truck. I have recently found a wrecked Cheyenne Super 20 at pick a part and grabbed all the emblizims off it. I plan on using the DIY4x4 parts to convert mine to 4wd.
You are doing an AWESOME job on the floor. I too cant wait to see it done.
-Lance

mrein3 · 09-13-2007, 01:04 PM

Same here. I always wanted to do a big block, longhorn, 4x4. Now that somebody is doing one I wouldn't be any different.

Just cut up a bunch of short wheel base beds for the floor. You can't haul anything in them anyways. What are they good for?

Classic Heartbeat · 09-13-2007, 01:36 PM

Thanks guys.

manimal, This is a suprisingly easy job.
Just take a long bed steel bed bottom completely in tact with the cross sills welded under it.
Cut the front of the bed floor off about mid point of the front flange of the front bed support.
Bolt the Longhorn bedsides on to the bed floor that you just cut.
Measure the distance from the cut to end of the bedside mounting flange.
Take that measurement and cut that amount off the front of another steel bed bottom.
Take the piece that you just cut off and bolt it in place.
Check your gap and weld it all together being carfull not to warp anything.

WES

**kwmech** · 08-22-2008, 03:40 PM

Hey Wes, did you ever get any finished pics of this part of the project?

Classic Heartbeat · 08-22-2008, 04:05 PM

Not yet. It isn't finnished yet. The chassis is going out this weakend to be streched. So I will probably do more to it pretty soon. WES

**kwmech** · 08-22-2008, 06:11 PM

Curious as to how the bed part of the project came out

**Palf70Step** · 08-22-2008, 06:15 PM

Real nice work Wes. Can't wait to see it all finished up.

09-12-2007, 08:01 PM	#1
Classic Heartbeat Project Junkie! Fishing Poor!! Join Date: Dec 1999 Location: Olympia,Wa. 98512 Posts: 10,766	Making a factory looking steel bed bottom for a Longhorn. Well for the last day or so I have been working on the bed for my Big Block Longhorn 4X4. I like steel bed bottoms, but GM didn't ever make them for the Longhorns..... So I am doing it myself!! Here are the pics so far. WES Attached Images __________________ On-line catolog Classic Heartbeat Pickup Parts WEHEPP@comcast.net Call us Toll Free (888) 338-2502 Like Us on Facebook No appointment necessary. 72 BB Chevy Custom Deluxe / Custom Camper 67 I-6 (Soon to be 5.7 LS1) Panel 68 BB Chevy Short Bed 72 6.0 LQ9 Short Bed Chevy 4X4 Olympia's fastest growing truck parts supplier. Olympia's home for Wayward Chevys

09-12-2007, 08:04 PM	#2
Classic Heartbeat Project Junkie! Fishing Poor!! Join Date: Dec 1999 Location: Olympia,Wa. 98512 Posts: 10,766	Re: Making a factory looking steel bed bottom for a Longhorn. A couple more pics.. WES Attached Images __________________ On-line catolog Classic Heartbeat Pickup Parts WEHEPP@comcast.net Call us Toll Free (888) 338-2502 Like Us on Facebook No appointment necessary. 72 BB Chevy Custom Deluxe / Custom Camper 67 I-6 (Soon to be 5.7 LS1) Panel 68 BB Chevy Short Bed 72 6.0 LQ9 Short Bed Chevy 4X4 Olympia's fastest growing truck parts supplier. Olympia's home for Wayward Chevys

09-12-2007, 08:17 PM	#3
Longhorn Man its all about the +6 inches Join Date: Jan 2001 Location: Hilliard Ohio Posts: 2,690	Re: Making a factory looking steel bed bottom for a Longhorn. I saw one in a junk yard one time. I was goin nuts becouse you couldn't see the seam..I was literally saying (quite loud aperently too) WTF???? I finally looked underneath and could see the welding scars. Quite cool though.

09-12-2007, 08:31 PM	#4
Classic Heartbeat Project Junkie! Fishing Poor!! Join Date: Dec 1999 Location: Olympia,Wa. 98512 Posts: 10,766	Re: Making a factory looking steel bed bottom for a Longhorn. I'm just a fan of the steel bottoms. I like the way they look and the ease of taking care of them. Don't get me wrong, there is nothing more beutifull than a wood bed floor, but the maintence to keep it that way is too much for me..lol Besides, I like it when somone looks at my trucks and scratch their heads like they know that something is different, but can't quite figure it out. WES __________________ On-line catolog Classic Heartbeat Pickup Parts WEHEPP@comcast.net Call us Toll Free (888) 338-2502 Like Us on Facebook No appointment necessary. 72 BB Chevy Custom Deluxe / Custom Camper 67 I-6 (Soon to be 5.7 LS1) Panel 68 BB Chevy Short Bed 72 6.0 LQ9 Short Bed Chevy 4X4 Olympia's fastest growing truck parts supplier. Olympia's home for Wayward Chevys Last edited by Classic Heartbeat; 09-12-2007 at 08:33 PM.

09-12-2007, 08:32 PM	#5
67ChevyRedneck Hittin E-Z Street on Mud Tires Join Date: Nov 2004 Location: Greenville, SC Posts: 23,090	Re: Making a factory looking steel bed bottom for a Longhorn. Thats cool! Are you going to have to raise the bed? I guess some extra shims underneath? Are you going to fill the seam on the outside of the bed? I've always wondered why noone ever fills it in on a restored one, I think it would be cool to "hide" it's a longhorn, yet make people look twice, like, why the heck does that longbed look so long??? __________________ Jesse James 1967 C10 SWB Stepside: 350/700R4/3.73 1965 Ford Mustang: 289/T5-5spd/3.25 Trac-Loc 1968 Pontiac Firebird: Project Fire Chicken! 2015 Silverado Double Cab 5.3L Z71 2001 Jeep Wrangler Sport 4.0L 5spd 2020 Chevrolet Equinox Premium 2.0L Turbo 2011 Mustang V6 ~ Wife's ride American Born, Country by the Grace of God 1967 CST Shop Truck Rebuild! My 1967 C-10 Build Thread My Vintage Air A/C Install Project "On a Dime" Trying my hand at Home Renovation! 1965 Mustang Modifications!

09-12-2007, 08:40 PM	#6
Longhorn Man its all about the +6 inches Join Date: Jan 2001 Location: Hilliard Ohio Posts: 2,690	Re: Making a factory looking steel bed bottom for a Longhorn. to hide it, would be to ignore it's herritige... like denying it it's small part in the spot light Last edited by Longhorn Man; 09-12-2007 at 08:41 PM.

09-12-2007, 09:10 PM	#7
Classic Heartbeat Project Junkie! Fishing Poor!! Join Date: Dec 1999 Location: Olympia,Wa. 98512 Posts: 10,766	Re: Making a factory looking steel bed bottom for a Longhorn. No need to shim it up when you bolt on a factory bed bottom. The sills under it are tall enough. I am not welding up the seem though. I want people to know it's a Longhorn. I am just building (in my opinion) the truck that I feel that GM should have built but didn't. It will be a Big Block Cheyenne Super Longhorn 4X4 with T-400 trans and NP205 transfer case, Dana 70 rear, Dana 60 front, 3.08 Gears, and of coarse every option that GM offered in 1972. WES __________________ On-line catolog Classic Heartbeat Pickup Parts WEHEPP@comcast.net Call us Toll Free (888) 338-2502 Like Us on Facebook No appointment necessary. 72 BB Chevy Custom Deluxe / Custom Camper 67 I-6 (Soon to be 5.7 LS1) Panel 68 BB Chevy Short Bed 72 6.0 LQ9 Short Bed Chevy 4X4 Olympia's fastest growing truck parts supplier. Olympia's home for Wayward Chevys

09-12-2007, 11:28 PM	#8
kwmech Senior Member Join Date: Mar 2003 Location: Colfax-California Posts: 8,732	Re: Making a factory looking steel bed bottom for a Longhorn. I contemplated the same thing for quite a while on my 68---------then bought the wood kit. I want to build another in a year or so and do the steel floor.

09-12-2007, 11:33 PM	#9
Classic Heartbeat Project Junkie! Fishing Poor!! Join Date: Dec 1999 Location: Olympia,Wa. 98512 Posts: 10,766	Re: Making a factory looking steel bed bottom for a Longhorn. Yep, Dare to be different..lol WES __________________ On-line catolog Classic Heartbeat Pickup Parts WEHEPP@comcast.net Call us Toll Free (888) 338-2502 Like Us on Facebook No appointment necessary. 72 BB Chevy Custom Deluxe / Custom Camper 67 I-6 (Soon to be 5.7 LS1) Panel 68 BB Chevy Short Bed 72 6.0 LQ9 Short Bed Chevy 4X4 Olympia's fastest growing truck parts supplier. Olympia's home for Wayward Chevys

09-13-2007, 12:08 AM	#10
longhorn70gmc Senior Member Join Date: Feb 2001 Location: Ridgecrest. CA, USA Posts: 1,715	Re: Making a factory looking steel bed bottom for a Longhorn. I like the inspiration. Wes, we all need to dare and be different. I am starting to catch that bug. Outstanding tasking and I can’t wait to see it finished. __________________ Billy 1970 GMC Sierra Grande 402/TH400 (Longhorn)14 years and counting rebuild! 1975 (Build) Chevrolet SWB 4X4 350 SB Lifted 6 inches 1970 Ford F250 Ranger 390 BB 2010 Ford Super Duty F250 XLT W/4 inch lift kit and Pro Comp Tires Hub Cap Freak! *I need another truck like I need another hole in the head!* I'M IN THE MARKET...AS IT WERE!

09-13-2007, 11:40 AM	#12
manimal Registered User Join Date: Oct 2006 Location: Southern Kalifornia Posts: 3,066	Re: Making a factory looking steel bed bottom for a Longhorn. Are you using the original cross sill from the wood floor? Or did you use the steel floor's?I have been wanting to do the very same truck. I have recently found a wrecked Cheyenne Super 20 at pick a part and grabbed all the emblizims off it. I plan on using the DIY4x4 parts to convert mine to 4wd. You are doing an AWESOME job on the floor. I too cant wait to see it done. -Lance __________________ ------------------------------------------------------ -Lance 2000 Chevy C2500, 5.7, 4L80e 1999 Suburban K2500, 7.4, 4L80e 1980 Camaro..son's car...PROJECT

09-13-2007, 01:04 PM	#13
mrein3 Registered User Join Date: Feb 2000 Location: Center City, MN, USA Posts: 3,254	Re: Making a factory looking steel bed bottom for a Longhorn. Same here. I always wanted to do a big block, longhorn, 4x4. Now that somebody is doing one I wouldn't be any different. Just cut up a bunch of short wheel base beds for the floor. You can't haul anything in them anyways. What are they good for? __________________ '70 cab, '71 chassis, 383, TH350, NP205. '71 Malibu convertible '72 Malibu hard top Center City, MN

09-13-2007, 01:36 PM	#14
Classic Heartbeat Project Junkie! Fishing Poor!! Join Date: Dec 1999 Location: Olympia,Wa. 98512 Posts: 10,766	Re: Making a factory looking steel bed bottom for a Longhorn. Thanks guys. manimal, This is a suprisingly easy job. Just take a long bed steel bed bottom completely in tact with the cross sills welded under it. Cut the front of the bed floor off about mid point of the front flange of the front bed support. Bolt the Longhorn bedsides on to the bed floor that you just cut. Measure the distance from the cut to end of the bedside mounting flange. Take that measurement and cut that amount off the front of another steel bed bottom. Take the piece that you just cut off and bolt it in place. Check your gap and weld it all together being carfull not to warp anything. WES __________________ On-line catolog Classic Heartbeat Pickup Parts WEHEPP@comcast.net Call us Toll Free (888) 338-2502 Like Us on Facebook No appointment necessary. 72 BB Chevy Custom Deluxe / Custom Camper 67 I-6 (Soon to be 5.7 LS1) Panel 68 BB Chevy Short Bed 72 6.0 LQ9 Short Bed Chevy 4X4 Olympia's fastest growing truck parts supplier. Olympia's home for Wayward Chevys Last edited by Classic Heartbeat; 09-13-2007 at 01:36 PM.

08-22-2008, 03:40 PM	#15
kwmech Senior Member Join Date: Mar 2003 Location: Colfax-California Posts: 8,732	Re: Making a factory looking steel bed bottom for a Longhorn. Hey Wes, did you ever get any finished pics of this part of the project?

08-22-2008, 04:05 PM	#16
Classic Heartbeat Project Junkie! Fishing Poor!! Join Date: Dec 1999 Location: Olympia,Wa. 98512 Posts: 10,766	Re: Making a factory looking steel bed bottom for a Longhorn. Not yet. It isn't finnished yet. The chassis is going out this weakend to be streched. So I will probably do more to it pretty soon. WES __________________ On-line catolog Classic Heartbeat Pickup Parts WEHEPP@comcast.net Call us Toll Free (888) 338-2502 Like Us on Facebook No appointment necessary. 72 BB Chevy Custom Deluxe / Custom Camper 67 I-6 (Soon to be 5.7 LS1) Panel 68 BB Chevy Short Bed 72 6.0 LQ9 Short Bed Chevy 4X4 Olympia's fastest growing truck parts supplier. Olympia's home for Wayward Chevys



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08-22-2008, 06:11 PM	#17
kwmech Senior Member Join Date: Mar 2003 Location: Colfax-California Posts: 8,732	Re: Making a factory looking steel bed bottom for a Longhorn. Curious as to how the bed part of the project came out

08-22-2008, 06:15 PM	#18
Palf70Step State of Confusion! Join Date: Jul 2002 Location: Gulfport, MS USA Posts: 47,522	Re: Making a factory looking steel bed bottom for a Longhorn. Real nice work Wes. Can't wait to see it all finished up. __________________ Bill 1970 Chevy Custom/10 LWB Fleetside 2010 Toyota Tacoma PreRunner SR5 Double Cab - DD Member of Louisiana Classic Truck Club (LCTC) Bill's Gallery Life isn't tied with a bow, but it's still a gift. Live simply. Love generously. Care deeply. Speak kindly. Leave the rest to God!

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