long bed to short bed question - The 1947 - Present Chevrolet & GMC Truck Message Board Network

omar69chevy · 09-03-2009, 06:22 PM

ok i have been wanting a 67-72 chevy ever since i sold mine but i cant find any decent shortbeds. i have found some great long beds for good prices. if i was to get a long bed and instead of cutting the frame under the cab like everybody does would it b wrong to cut it after the rear crossmember where the trailing arms are, putting some swb trailing arms and doing a back half. has anybody done this, i know there are alot of threads that shorten a frame under the cab but has anybody done it the way im talking about is there anything wrone leavin the body mounts it has? any help would be loved thanx guys

mclairmo · 09-03-2009, 06:43 PM

Yes, I have read about people cutting it this way and seems easier to me. Check out Project Get Shorty at Custom Classic Trucks Magazine website. Awesome write up.

**john** · 09-03-2009, 06:50 PM

Trailing arms are the same length for short and long wheelbase. You will probably get more help in the suspension section.

omar69chevy · 09-03-2009, 06:53 PM

yea i realized the wrong forum if someone could move it for mem but thanx mclairmo ill check it out

71tahoe · 09-04-2009, 07:30 AM

Like John said, the trailing arms are the same length so you would have to move the center xmember forward 12" and then bob the frame. Try some searches because there are some radical builds on here with all kinds of custom frame work.

sjarrett71 · 09-04-2009, 08:05 AM

I think people cut under the cab because that's where the flat portion of the frame is. Any other place would have a bend or twist in it that would prevent the rear axle from lining up right. Also there is a difference in the length of the beds before and after the wheelwell.

omar69chevy · 09-04-2009, 10:39 AM

yea im not worried about the curves of the frame because i not really needing any of it, like i was saying i realized the trailing arms were the same as i thought and thought about it, and moving the crossmemeber back and right in front of the crossmemebers new home cutting the frame off then building a back half, i have no problems with getting a swb bed thats the least of my worries but thanx for the help guy off to do some research

**leddzepp** · 09-04-2009, 10:58 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by sjarrett71

I think people cut under the cab because that's where the flat portion of the frame is. Any other place would have a bend or twist in it that would prevent the rear axle from lining up right. Also there is a difference in the length of the beds before and after the wheelwell.

Exactly right.

sjarrett71 · 09-04-2009, 11:07 PM

OK, I misunderstood. I didn't realize you were going to build the rear of the frame yourself.

09-03-2009, 06:22 PM	#1
omar69chevy Registered User Join Date: Nov 2004 Location: Kingsville, TX Posts: 22	long bed to short bed question ok i have been wanting a 67-72 chevy ever since i sold mine but i cant find any decent shortbeds. i have found some great long beds for good prices. if i was to get a long bed and instead of cutting the frame under the cab like everybody does would it b wrong to cut it after the rear crossmember where the trailing arms are, putting some swb trailing arms and doing a back half. has anybody done this, i know there are alot of threads that shorten a frame under the cab but has anybody done it the way im talking about is there anything wrone leavin the body mounts it has? any help would be loved thanx guys Last edited by omar69chevy; 09-03-2009 at 06:36 PM.

09-03-2009, 06:43 PM	#2
mclairmo Registered User Join Date: Jan 2006 Location: Take Off Posts: 1,908	Re: long bed to short bed question Yes, I have read about people cutting it this way and seems easier to me. Check out Project Get Shorty at Custom Classic Trucks Magazine website. Awesome write up.

09-03-2009, 06:50 PM	#3
john member #16 Join Date: Dec 1999 Location: Yuba City Ca. Posts: 3,618	Re: long bed to short bed question Trailing arms are the same length for short and long wheelbase. You will probably get more help in the suspension section. __________________ john http://67-72chevytrucks.com/vboard/showgroups.php board vendors http://www.flickr.com/photos/1745471...7602865984234/ Last edited by john; 09-03-2009 at 06:51 PM.

09-03-2009, 06:53 PM	#4
omar69chevy Registered User Join Date: Nov 2004 Location: Kingsville, TX Posts: 22	Re: long bed to short bed question yea i realized the wrong forum if someone could move it for mem but thanx mclairmo ill check it out

09-04-2009, 07:30 AM	#5
71tahoe Registered User Join Date: May 2006 Location: Jonesboro, AR Posts: 916	Re: long bed to short bed question Like John said, the trailing arms are the same length so you would have to move the center xmember forward 12" and then bob the frame. Try some searches because there are some radical builds on here with all kinds of custom frame work.

09-04-2009, 08:05 AM	#6
sjarrett71 Registered User Join Date: Dec 2006 Location: Rolla, MO Posts: 2,463	Re: long bed to short bed question I think people cut under the cab because that's where the flat portion of the frame is. Any other place would have a bend or twist in it that would prevent the rear axle from lining up right. Also there is a difference in the length of the beds before and after the wheelwell. __________________ -Scott-

09-04-2009, 10:39 AM	#7
omar69chevy Registered User Join Date: Nov 2004 Location: Kingsville, TX Posts: 22	Re: long bed to short bed question yea im not worried about the curves of the frame because i not really needing any of it, like i was saying i realized the trailing arms were the same as i thought and thought about it, and moving the crossmemeber back and right in front of the crossmemebers new home cutting the frame off then building a back half, i have no problems with getting a swb bed thats the least of my worries but thanx for the help guy off to do some research

09-04-2009, 11:07 PM	#9
sjarrett71 Registered User Join Date: Dec 2006 Location: Rolla, MO Posts: 2,463	Re: long bed to short bed question OK, I misunderstood. I didn't realize you were going to build the rear of the frame yourself. __________________ -Scott-



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