thinking about making a long bed a short bed - The 1947 - Present Chevrolet & GMC Truck Message Board Network

kwin · 05-07-2011, 08:23 PM

I have a long bed on a 87 that has some damage in the filler area , brand new panels that were damaged by a drunk driver, I am considering cutting the box down to make it a 6 foot. Has anyone done this?
I have fab skills and as well as tig, mig , plasma and all the toys.

If I decide to go forward where do I cut and how much gets removed front and rear?
I know it would be easier to find a 6 foot but this is a basically a new bed that needs work either way. It was restored and waiting for paint and was hit by a drunk driver.

Thanks

Keith

willstruck · 05-07-2011, 09:18 PM

http://67-72chevytrucks.com/vboard/s...d.php?t=123624

http://www.73-87chevytrucks.com/lwb_to_swb.htm

These sites are great info for the short bed switch. On my truck, I'm just going to bob the back end, I think that will do it for me...

kwin · 05-07-2011, 09:18 PM

I thought I would post a couple of photos of the damage to show you what I am starting with.
Click the link if you have a problem.

Keith

kwin · 05-07-2011, 09:19 PM

Right click the question mark and hit open in new window, for some reason I can never post photos from my mac's

Keith

LUCKIN-FOU · 05-07-2011, 11:04 PM

KWIN, I doing one right now it's my DADS' old 73. I'll post some pictures in the morning. I have some more pics I need to down load. I was putting it together and missed a few I needed. I already have Bell Tech spindles and springs in the front. The rear springs were De-arched years ago. My plan is a 4-Bar and level it off.

As you can see it's a thing of beauty...

**N2TRUX** · 05-08-2011, 12:04 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by LUCKIN-FOU

KWIN, I doing one right now it's my DADS' old 73. I'll post some pictures in the morning......
As you can see it's a thing of beauty...

Looks like another fun project Lou. Keep us updated with LOTS of pics please.

kwin · 05-08-2011, 01:45 PM

Thanks Lou, I'm about 80% finished my Cherokee Cummins project and am itching to get into something more my style than my 2005 cummins 3500.

The 3500 has to go!

Keith

kwin · 05-08-2011, 01:48 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by willstruck

http://67-72chevytrucks.com/vboard/s...d.php?t=123624

http://www.73-87chevytrucks.com/lwb_to_swb.htm

These sites are great info for the short bed switch. On my truck, I'm just going to bob the back end, I think that will do it for me...

Thanks for the links they are a great start.

kwin · 05-12-2011, 12:21 AM

Hey Lou,any luck finding those photos ? I would love to see how you are approaching the job.

Keith

jablack · 05-12-2011, 11:47 AM

That one looks as bad as my granddads 78.

Toxic Redline · 05-12-2011, 11:55 AM

just make sure your tire sits center in the wheel well, i've seen one hack job that the tire sits too far back in the wheel well and it looks dumb

bluex · 05-12-2011, 03:55 PM

Look in the 67-72 project section. There are a few build threads in there where people actually cut the bed down. While not exactly the same it should give you a few ideas.

When I did mine I just bought a decent SWB bed. My OE bed was full of rust in the floor, but the sides were nice. This one needs a little patching and has one huge dent in the floor, but it will be less work than trying to cut down and reweld the bed.

05-07-2011, 08:23 PM	#1
kwin Registered User Join Date: May 2011 Location: Grande Prairie, Alberta Posts: 368	thinking about making a long bed a short bed I have a long bed on a 87 that has some damage in the filler area , brand new panels that were damaged by a drunk driver, I am considering cutting the box down to make it a 6 foot. Has anyone done this? I have fab skills and as well as tig, mig , plasma and all the toys. If I decide to go forward where do I cut and how much gets removed front and rear? I know it would be easier to find a 6 foot but this is a basically a new bed that needs work either way. It was restored and waiting for paint and was hit by a drunk driver. Thanks Keith Last edited by kwin; 05-07-2011 at 08:23 PM.

05-07-2011, 09:18 PM	#2
willstruck Registered User Join Date: Jan 2011 Location: Auburn, WA Posts: 87	Re: thinking about making a long bed a short bed http://67-72chevytrucks.com/vboard/s...d.php?t=123624 http://www.73-87chevytrucks.com/lwb_to_swb.htm These sites are great info for the short bed switch. On my truck, I'm just going to bob the back end, I think that will do it for me... __________________ '85 k10 long bed, 6" lift. 35" tires. 350, Edelbrock intake/carb, headers, dual exhaust. Automatic.

05-07-2011, 09:18 PM	#3
kwin Registered User Join Date: May 2011 Location: Grande Prairie, Alberta Posts: 368	Re: thinking about making a long bed a short bed I thought I would post a couple of photos of the damage to show you what I am starting with. Click the link if you have a problem. Keith

05-07-2011, 09:19 PM	#4
kwin Registered User Join Date: May 2011 Location: Grande Prairie, Alberta Posts: 368	Re: thinking about making a long bed a short bed Right click the question mark and hit open in new window, for some reason I can never post photos from my mac's Keith

05-07-2011, 11:04 PM	#5
LUCKIN-FOU I'M NOT SCARED I HAVE A PLASMA Join Date: Feb 2008 Location: The PLACE Posts: 172	Re: thinking about making a long bed a short bed KWIN, I doing one right now it's my DADS' old 73. I'll post some pictures in the morning. I have some more pics I need to down load. I was putting it together and missed a few I needed. I already have Bell Tech spindles and springs in the front. The rear springs were De-arched years ago. My plan is a 4-Bar and level it off. As you can see it's a thing of beauty... __________________ Lou Santiago US Navy Retired/World Traveler Car Builder/Welder/Airport Investigator garageinsidertv.com [FORUM] WORK IS FOR PEOPLE WHO CAN'T FISH. I GUESS I'M SCREWED BECAUSED I HATE FISHING.

05-08-2011, 01:45 PM	#7
kwin Registered User Join Date: May 2011 Location: Grande Prairie, Alberta Posts: 368	Re: thinking about making a long bed a short bed Thanks Lou, I'm about 80% finished my Cherokee Cummins project and am itching to get into something more my style than my 2005 cummins 3500. The 3500 has to go! Keith

05-12-2011, 12:21 AM	#9
kwin Registered User Join Date: May 2011 Location: Grande Prairie, Alberta Posts: 368	Re: thinking about making a long bed a short bed Hey Lou,any luck finding those photos ? I would love to see how you are approaching the job. Keith

05-12-2011, 11:47 AM	#10
jablack Classic Chevy Recycler Join Date: Dec 2007 Location: Alabama Posts: 422	Re: thinking about making a long bed a short bed That one looks as bad as my granddads 78. Attached Images __________________ 2004 Chevrolet Trailblazer EXT 1970 Chevrolet C50 1979 Chevrolet C30 Need another 67 or 68 soon...

05-12-2011, 11:55 AM	#11
Toxic Redline Registered User Join Date: May 2010 Location: Ogden, Utah Posts: 219	Re: thinking about making a long bed a short bed just make sure your tire sits center in the wheel well, i've seen one hack job that the tire sits too far back in the wheel well and it looks dumb __________________ 84 K20 Long Box W.I.P 78 Burb - parts now [Rolled] 68 c20 dump bed WHEN IN DOUBT--- FLOOR IT

05-12-2011, 03:55 PM	#12
bluex Registered User Join Date: Jun 2004 Location: Spartanburg, SC Posts: 1,963	Re: thinking about making a long bed a short bed Look in the 67-72 project section. There are a few build threads in there where people actually cut the bed down. While not exactly the same it should give you a few ideas. When I did mine I just bought a decent SWB bed. My OE bed was full of rust in the floor, but the sides were nice. This one needs a little patching and has one huge dent in the floor, but it will be less work than trying to cut down and reweld the bed. __________________ Paul '78 GMC Serria 15 Heavy Half. 361/NV3500/3.73. Former LWB NV3500 swap Trailing arm swap '98 ECSB Z71 daily driver -traded '03 burb. Family cruiser http://upstategmtrucks.com/



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