Partial shortbed??

[CB24]

Originally Posted by 67ChevyRedneck

Since I've seen so many cut down vehicles on here, it made me wonder what would it would look like if a bed was cut down 8" in front and 6" in the back.

That's exactly what I plan on doing. Hoping to start in the next few weeks.

[67ChevyRedneck]

Originally Posted by CB24

That's exactly what I plan on doing. Hoping to start in the next few weeks.

Awesome!

I think it will make it "look like" a shortbed, but will also make people go, "wait a second..."

[CB24]

Originally Posted by 67ChevyRedneck

Awesome!

I think it will make it "look like" a shortbed, but will also make people go, "wait a second..."

That's exactly what I was thinking. Its just nice to see I'm not crazy or at least not alone I'm my crazy. Hahaha.

[special-K]

Originally Posted by Dynomutt

I'm with ya on this too. It's all about symetrics. The panel in front of the tire should be approximately the same length as the panel behind the tire. I think it would be a cool mod. Fitting the trim oughta be fun.

I can`t believe you guys think these trucks aren`t symetrical.Do what you want with your truck.But,aren`t all y`all into these trucks because they are one of the best designs ever?I just don`t get it.

"The panel in front of the tire 'should' be approximately the same length as the panel behind the tire?"...Says who?That`s your opinion,not what it 'should' be.The designers at GM were well schooled on symetrics...obviously.My keen eye for aesthetics must beg to differ.Have fun,it`s your trucks.

[Dynomutt]

Originally Posted by special-K

I can`t believe you guys think these trucks aren`t symetrical.Do what you want with your truck.But,aren`t all y`all into these trucks because they are one of the best designs ever?I just don`t get it.

"The panel in front of the tire 'should' be approximately the same length as the panel behind the tire?"...Says who?That`s your opinion,not what it 'should' be.The designers at GM were well schooled on symetrics...obviously.My keen eye for aesthetics must beg to differ.Have fun,it`s your trucks.

Of course it was MY opinion. Who else's would I have posted? You posted yours, am I not allowed?

[72BlckButy]

Before we move away from the subject.... in my philosophy, "to each their own."

If you want to cut down a longbed, do it.

If you want to cut down a longbed into a long short bed, do it.

That's the great thing about this hobby, if all the trucks looked the same... well, it would be kind of boring around here.

[CB24]

Originally Posted by special-K

I can`t believe you guys think these trucks aren`t symetrical.Do what you want with your truck.But,aren`t all y`all into these trucks because they are one of the best designs ever?I just don`t get it.

"The panel in front of the tire 'should' be approximately the same length as the panel behind the tire?"...Says who?That`s your opinion,not what it 'should' be.The designers at GM were well schooled on symetrics...obviously.My keen eye for aesthetics must beg to differ.Have fun,it`s your trucks.

I see where you are coming from. You like many others don't like the classic original look messed with.

For me I have a beater truck that I traded a rifle for. So in my mind its not a matter of why, its why not. I don't like long beds in any year, make or model but that's what I ended up with. Everyone has cut down a long bed to the short bed specs. I want to be different and travel the path untraveled. If it looks stupid I can always cut it down more to make it a true short bed size right? Come on special-k, come to the dark side, we have cookies. Hahaha, j/k

[special-K]

Let me clarify so we can move along on topic.I viewed this thread before and made no comment.Sure,I rolled my eyes because I think it kills the proportions.But,when I saw a statement (which is not an opinion) that makes it sound like GM designers were mistaken?It`s time to stem the tide and offer my comments...

Why do people think when I give my opinion it means you can`t have yours?I`m not built that way.I can absolutely allow others their point of view.I`m used to having a different view and am comfortable with having others not see it my way.That`s why I said "Do what you want with your truck"...pretty simple to understand.
It`s statements like,"The panel in front of the wheel should be...",that makes me thing someone is saying how I and about everyone here,as well as the designer, are "wrong"as in not allowing our opinion.I`m not stuck on all original,either.I`ve built some badass customs myself.It just seems with all these people drawn to these trucks lately I`m seeing a lot of "How can I change this cool truck" trends.In the general car/truck custom world the theme for veterans is leave the body (or at least the vibe) alone and upgrade driveability,stance,wheels,comfort...the important stuff.If any body mods,it`s sutle,not altered.The idea is that anything that`s a major permanent alteration in time usually becomes more a mistake than an improvement.I`ve walked away from many a truck thinking,"I would have bought that if he hadn`t done xxx to it." Just look back in time and you`ll see.We make fun of stuff that was the "hot ticket" at one time.We cuss people who cut sunroofs these days.It was the rage in the late`70s.I never gave may opinion.I think it looks totally dorky to me.It looks like it`s looking for a log to dump on .There,that`s my opinion.Thanks for allowing it.
I say a lot of things to bring in a different perspective that others may not have considered more than throw my opinion at you.I am a broad minded person and that allows the confidence I have in my opinion.I`ve looked at it from the point of view of others before landing on mine.Understand I`m all about these trucks and maintaining good knowledge that is correct for the sake of those in the future.That`s why I correct people who say Camper Special,call 88-98 Sportside beds a Stepside,etc.If someone doesn`t watch the map we go down the wrong road.

[CB24]

I get where you're coming from special-k. This is a mod I've wanted to do from day one. I never posted it though because I knew it wouldn't be liked by the general pop of this board. I knew I would be doing something that both long bed lovers & short bed lovers would hate so I didn't see the point in sharing my plans to do it. I think its cool that there are others that have the same idea. I was shocked to see the thread honestly.

I'm actually trying to keep the symmetrics similar by cutting 8" in the front & 6" in the back. I like the symmetrics of the shortbed, I just want the bed & wheel base a little longer.

[70 Suburban]

i am building a crew cab... been thinkin of making a realy short bed like the new trucks

[special-K]

Originally Posted by CB24

I get where you're coming from special-k. This is a mod I've wanted to do from day one....... I think its cool that there are others that have the same idea. I was shocked to see the thread honestly.

It could have as easily become a bash fest and I`m hoping I wasn`t viewed as bashing.I`m glad others were keen on your idea.It may not matter to you,either way,but it`s always nice to be supported.If everyone in the world would like your idea better,I`d still like the original better.We`re the same,yet different.Pretty cool I think.

*I`ve had all the ideas you see carried out these days for eons,just never happened.I`ll even reveal the ones I haven`t seen done yet.I had a long`70 C/30 dual wheel(157") and a`71 Suburban I wanted to build a crew cab to haul my camper on around 1990.I was going to put the 6.2 diesel from my`84 in there,too.
*Then,I wanted to put the Suburban on a`71 K/20 who`s body was rotted up.
*I`ve always wanted to build a shortbed Panel truck.
*How about a woody Suburban from a rusted one?Keep the top and cut below the widows.Build from the doors-back with wood.
*Or a woody from a pickup the same way except build the roof like the wagons,maybe just side curtains.
*Take a`66 Suburban,cut the top off,shorten to fit 69-72 Blazer 4wd frame,make soft top and have a `66 Blazer.
*Make a hard bed cover with hoods.Fit it like a trunk lid that hinges where the hoods join.The seem front to back would be where the hood`s is on the bed`s side.The front area would be solid,no seam.
These are a few ideas tat came to me long before I ever saw them.It`s what turns me on to these 67/72s.Trucks hot a peak in these years.The first long Suburbans and Blazers set them apart from the past years.They are all the same looking out over the hood and dash.It gets you thinking what else you can do that GM didn`t.I`ve had a lot of ideas that were far fetched or I decided were dumb. Here`s a shorty short and dually drawing from`82 of two concepts I had:

Let the bashibg begin!
This was a decade or more before cowl hoods were made.That`s a 427 Vette scoop.Notice the relocated marker lights.There are some ideas that I still think are cool and some I wold never do.The shorty was a SCCA inspired truck.Like a predecessor to the Nascar Trucks.

[CB24]

I actually liked a lot of your ideas. I really like the 66' blazer idea.

I don't think you came off as bashing. I took it as it was intended, your opinion.

I feel like I thread jacked this post & for that I apologize to the original poster.

[j_cst_10]

I'm all for it. Somebody should do it, screw up a few times until they get it right to save me a ton of work in the spring


.........and back on the subject, because GM designers put the length of the bedsides where they are is nothing more than somebody drawing it up and saying "that looks good, lets put it there" I am an engineer (I work as a cnc machinist/set up man and process developer before anyone starts painting the picture of me as a desk jockey) and I do not take other engineers designs as a godsend by any means. A lot of times I have to fix design engineers mistakes, so they are far from righteous.

Short beds are popular because of their proportions period. I think the long bed proportions need a little assistance but I do like them untouched (before anyone gets offended... again).

Freedom to customize is what this hobby is all about.

[Dynomutt]

Originally Posted by j_cst_10

I'm all for it. Somebody should do it, screw up a few times until they get it right to save me a ton of work in the spring

It obviously ruffles the feathers of some to think outside the box a little and I like it. I think you are spot on with the idea that people will look at it and think, somethings different about that truck, but I'm not sure what it is. Why not be a little unique. I wouldn't mind doing it to mine but don't think I can fit it in my timeframe on this one, maybe next time.

Thinking outside the box = evolution. If no one ever thought to make changes to an already good product, where would we be today.

Only one man's opinion of course.

[69 longhorn]

I have got some "guff" over this, but I always thought that these old 67-72's looked better with 2-4" cut out of the top.....IMO, an improvement on an already good design. After chopping the top on my old longhorn(3 1/2@ the rear, tilted foward for 4" @ the front), it really shows off the lenght of that 8 1/2' box. Its your truck, build it how YOU like it. For pics of the Longhorn, copy & paste the link in my signature. Have fun with your project,crazyAL

[PJsthnam]

Hey 69, I like the looks. I like having something that looks different then everybody else's. The designers of these trucks never intended for them to be dropped to the ground either, but how many trucks in here are bagged, lifted, shortened, or whatever. I say go for it, try something new.

[67chevy1series]

Originally Posted by Willys47

What are we going to call this how about a long short box

no it shoudnt be called a long short box it should be called a mwb which will stand for ''medium wheel base'' trucks i have told my dad about this around june of 2009 he siad i fell out of my crib a little to hard

[Hubscrub]

yea, anyone done some cutting?

[1LoC10]

just take a short bed and add the front section for a longhorn.... and call it a shorthorn

[bigsnookmaster]

I have a friend that is finishing up a 7' bed 68.He took equal amounts from the front and rear. He is also a chassis fabricator, and this thing is beautiful, with a dual frame rail round chassis, and funny car cages for both sides. Oh, by the way, it has a 14:71 supercharged BBC on alcohol making 2250 hp, and should run 4.80s in the 1/8th,with an occasional street cruise. I will see if I can get some pics in the near future. I say do what you want , it's your truck. I have a resto mod 68 short stepper, and a chopped 67 short stepper. .02

[j_cst_10]

I would greatly appreciate some pics. The only ones I have are the ones I did in the paint program and they leave something to be desired.

I bought a pretty clean bed and I have definitely been looking at it thinking I should slice just the right amount out of it. To the point where it looks like a full size car, not a 40ft land yacht or on the other extreme a 64 Dart.

BUT.. I will say I like factory long beds so no hater posts.

[hdck07]

*Make a hard bed cover with hoods.Fit it like a trunk lid that hinges where the hoods join.The seem front to back would be where the hood`s is on the bed`s side.The front area would be solid,no seam.
Has this been done? That sounds awesome. If so pics?