easy way to make a crew cab short bed - The 1947 - Present Chevrolet & GMC Truck Message Board Network

ak_nut · 05-12-2010, 06:01 PM

I just bought a crew cab that the previous owner added a short bed..What was done is remove all the hangers and just relocate them further forward ..Now the rear bed rail was trimmed to sit lower due to the difference on frame contour..Now as yall already know it does put the axle centerline in a odd spot in the frame but it still has 6 inches of clearance ..Its at the shop today getting the frame notched for a flip kit..Oh also the rear of the frame and to be shortend and new holes drilled to mount the rear bumper..easy enough..I get yall pics tomorrow of the frame now that I have the bed off..Were getting a new bed for the truck this weekend..

Here is a couple pics of what needs to be done to the bed to make this possible.Seems alot easier then cutting and splicing a frame..

Keith Seymore · 05-13-2010, 07:24 AM

Hmm... I'm intrigued.

Please post lots of pics once you get it back together (or as it's going back together).

K

grinch4om · 05-13-2010, 07:49 AM

ditto!

ak_nut · 05-13-2010, 09:08 AM

Ill snap some pics of the rear of the frame today..

*BGRAFX* · 05-13-2010, 12:00 PM

I'm a pretty visual person but if your not cutting the frame, you still had to shorten the driveshaft in order to move the axle foward??? Subscribing just to see how this looks.

ak_nut · 05-13-2010, 03:02 PM

Just got back with the truck so pics very soon.

ak_nut · 05-13-2010, 05:03 PM

Sorry for the crappy pics but it started to rain on me.

Jonboy · 05-13-2010, 05:42 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by BGRAFX

I'm a pretty visual person but if your not cutting the frame, you still had to shorten the driveshaft in order to move the axle foward??? Subscribing just to see how this looks.

I read it as they just cut the end of the frame, rather than cutting out at the cab and the back of the frame. The axle would still move forward, but they accomplished that by moving the axle mounts instead of cutting out the frame and moving it forward. It looks like you really can't tell with the bed on.

ak_nut · 05-13-2010, 05:51 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Jonboy

I read it as they just cut the end of the frame, rather than cutting out at the cab and the back of the frame. The axle would still move forward, but they accomplished that by moving the axle mounts instead of cutting out the frame and moving it forward. It looks like you really can't tell with the bed on.

You are correct..Just the end of the frame rails were cut..Ive seen this truck several times and even parked right next to it and I never noticed the frame..But to be honest its not something someone would notice unless pointed out..Now if someone was going to do a lifted crew I would never even think of cutting the frame in half.

*87 chevy silverado* · 05-13-2010, 10:01 PM

i wont to see this to

Keith Seymore · 05-14-2010, 07:47 AM

I'll be "dipped" - I think that's pretty clever!

...and well executed.

I salute you:

Make sure and post pics once you get the box back on (...please...).

K

Keith Seymore · 05-14-2010, 07:48 AM

...one piece drive shaft or two?

K

joe231 · 05-14-2010, 08:04 AM

My buddy Scott shortened his '93 crew the same way, on the newer frames there isn't an easy way to cut in the middle to take out the extra 14"
here is a link
http://67-72chevytrucks.com/vboard/s...88#post3593188

ak_nut · 05-14-2010, 08:23 AM

2 piece drive shaft..Im going to get a real nice bed today..

Cant wait to start chopping on this thing..

ak_nut · 05-14-2010, 08:25 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Keith Seymore

I'll be "dipped" - I think that's pretty clever!

...and well executed.

I salute you:

Make sure and post pics once you get the box back on (...please...).

K

I didnt do the conversion on this but I will be the one to make this truck sick!!Im getting rid of all my projects to focus on this crew .So the suburban will be for sale also.

joe231 · 05-14-2010, 08:26 AM

What are your plans?
What are you choppin'?

Devillusion · 05-14-2010, 06:45 PM

intriged and sub'd.....very interesting, and was contemplating if this was possible myslef..guess this answers my question. hahahaha.

keep us posted.

ak_nut · 05-15-2010, 10:43 PM

Ill be going back with 2 bench seats ..of course redone..Some smoothie wheels..Hopefully picking them up tomorrow.New paint and all that jazz

mattcrp1 · 05-16-2010, 12:22 PM

that is a great way shorten the truck nice and simple

mattcrp1 · 05-16-2010, 12:26 PM

Is it easy to tell how much foward they moved the mounts? Is it @14" like some that have cut frames to do this?

ak_nut · 05-16-2010, 07:00 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by mattcrp1

Is it easy to tell how much foward they moved the mounts? Is it @14" like some that have cut frames to do this?

Ill get better pics very soon..Ill also be starting a build thread ..

Liddy71 · 09-03-2012, 06:42 AM

has anybody else done this

**Boog** · 09-03-2012, 08:36 AM

Aknut hasn't posted any since 9/7/11. Guess he's moved on.

This rig is in the build threads forum.

http://67-72chevytrucks.com/vboard/s...d.php?t=451698

05-12-2010, 06:01 PM	#1
ak_nut Registered User Join Date: Apr 2010 Location: springtown tx Posts: 95	easy way to make a crew cab short bed I just bought a crew cab that the previous owner added a short bed..What was done is remove all the hangers and just relocate them further forward ..Now the rear bed rail was trimmed to sit lower due to the difference on frame contour..Now as yall already know it does put the axle centerline in a odd spot in the frame but it still has 6 inches of clearance ..Its at the shop today getting the frame notched for a flip kit..Oh also the rear of the frame and to be shortend and new holes drilled to mount the rear bumper..easy enough..I get yall pics tomorrow of the frame now that I have the bed off..Were getting a new bed for the truck this weekend.. Here is a couple pics of what needs to be done to the bed to make this possible.Seems alot easier then cutting and splicing a frame.. Last edited by ak_nut; 05-12-2010 at 06:04 PM.

05-13-2010, 07:24 AM	#2
Keith Seymore Registered User Join Date: May 2009 Location: Motor City Posts: 9,210	Re: easy way to make a crew cab short bed Hmm... I'm intrigued. Please post lots of pics once you get it back together (or as it's going back together). K __________________ Chevrolet Flint Assembly 1979-1986 GM Full Size Truck Engineering 1986 - 2019 Intro from an Old Assembly Guy: http://67-72chevytrucks.com/vboard/s...d.php?t=342926 My Pontiac story: http://forums.maxperformanceinc.com/...d.php?t=560524 Chevelle intro: http://www.superchevy.com/features/s...hevy-chevelle/

05-13-2010, 07:49 AM	#3
grinch4om dang its hot Join Date: Nov 2006 Location: frankfort kentucky Posts: 1,349	Re: easy way to make a crew cab short bed ditto!

05-13-2010, 09:08 AM	#4
ak_nut Registered User Join Date: Apr 2010 Location: springtown tx Posts: 95	Re: easy way to make a crew cab short bed Ill snap some pics of the rear of the frame today..

05-13-2010, 12:00 PM	#5
BGRAFX Account Suspended Join Date: Jun 2009 Location: kansas city Ks Posts: 1,970	Re: easy way to make a crew cab short bed I'm a pretty visual person but if your not cutting the frame, you still had to shorten the driveshaft in order to move the axle foward??? Subscribing just to see how this looks.

05-13-2010, 03:02 PM	#6
ak_nut Registered User Join Date: Apr 2010 Location: springtown tx Posts: 95	Re: easy way to make a crew cab short bed Just got back with the truck so pics very soon.

05-13-2010, 05:03 PM	#7
ak_nut Registered User Join Date: Apr 2010 Location: springtown tx Posts: 95	Re: easy way to make a crew cab short bed Sorry for the crappy pics but it started to rain on me.

05-13-2010, 10:01 PM	#10
87 chevy silverado Account Suspended Join Date: Apr 2009 Location: lexington South Carolina Posts: 2,124	Re: easy way to make a crew cab short bed i wont to see this to

05-14-2010, 07:47 AM	#11
Keith Seymore Registered User Join Date: May 2009 Location: Motor City Posts: 9,210	Re: easy way to make a crew cab short bed I'll be "dipped" - I think that's pretty clever! ...and well executed. I salute you: Make sure and post pics once you get the box back on (...please...). K __________________ Chevrolet Flint Assembly 1979-1986 GM Full Size Truck Engineering 1986 - 2019 Intro from an Old Assembly Guy: http://67-72chevytrucks.com/vboard/s...d.php?t=342926 My Pontiac story: http://forums.maxperformanceinc.com/...d.php?t=560524 Chevelle intro: http://www.superchevy.com/features/s...hevy-chevelle/

05-14-2010, 07:48 AM	#12
Keith Seymore Registered User Join Date: May 2009 Location: Motor City Posts: 9,210	Re: easy way to make a crew cab short bed ...one piece drive shaft or two? K __________________ Chevrolet Flint Assembly 1979-1986 GM Full Size Truck Engineering 1986 - 2019 Intro from an Old Assembly Guy: http://67-72chevytrucks.com/vboard/s...d.php?t=342926 My Pontiac story: http://forums.maxperformanceinc.com/...d.php?t=560524 Chevelle intro: http://www.superchevy.com/features/s...hevy-chevelle/ Last edited by Keith Seymore; 05-14-2010 at 07:48 AM.

05-14-2010, 08:04 AM	#13
joe231 Registered User Join Date: Dec 2007 Location: Palmer, Alaska Posts: 13,821	Re: easy way to make a crew cab short bed My buddy Scott shortened his '93 crew the same way, on the newer frames there isn't an easy way to cut in the middle to take out the extra 14" here is a link http://67-72chevytrucks.com/vboard/s...88#post3593188 __________________ *CHEVY ONLY*

05-14-2010, 08:23 AM	#14
ak_nut Registered User Join Date: Apr 2010 Location: springtown tx Posts: 95	Re: easy way to make a crew cab short bed 2 piece drive shaft..Im going to get a real nice bed today..Cant wait to start chopping on this thing..

05-14-2010, 08:26 AM	#16
joe231 Registered User Join Date: Dec 2007 Location: Palmer, Alaska Posts: 13,821	Re: easy way to make a crew cab short bed What are your plans? What are you choppin'? __________________ *CHEVY ONLY*

05-14-2010, 06:45 PM	#17
Devillusion Registered User Join Date: Jan 2010 Location: Brandon, Manitoba, Canada Posts: 782	Re: easy way to make a crew cab short bed intriged and sub'd.....very interesting, and was contemplating if this was possible myslef..guess this answers my question. hahahaha. keep us posted.

05-15-2010, 10:43 PM	#18
ak_nut Registered User Join Date: Apr 2010 Location: springtown tx Posts: 95	Re: easy way to make a crew cab short bed Ill be going back with 2 bench seats ..of course redone..Some smoothie wheels..Hopefully picking them up tomorrow.New paint and all that jazz



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05-16-2010, 12:22 PM	#19
mattcrp1 Registered User Join Date: May 2010 Location: Mountain House, CA Posts: 555	Re: easy way to make a crew cab short bed that is a great way shorten the truck nice and simple

05-16-2010, 12:26 PM	#20
mattcrp1 Registered User Join Date: May 2010 Location: Mountain House, CA Posts: 555	Re: easy way to make a crew cab short bed Is it easy to tell how much foward they moved the mounts? Is it @14" like some that have cut frames to do this?

09-03-2012, 06:42 AM	#22
Liddy71 Registered User Join Date: May 2010 Location: Kenova, WV Posts: 821	Re: easy way to make a crew cab short bed has anybody else done this

09-03-2012, 08:36 AM	#23
Boog laying low Join Date: Mar 2001 Location: Searcy, Ark. USA Posts: 13,366	Re: easy way to make a crew cab short bed Aknut hasn't posted any since 9/7/11. Guess he's moved on. This rig is in the build threads forum. http://67-72chevytrucks.com/vboard/s...d.php?t=451698 __________________ Boog 69 Chevy stepside, 358/T350, 4.11 posi, 4.5/4 drop, rallys, poboy driver primer is finer 91 Chevy sportside, Tahoe, Yukon & GMC Crewcab All GM..'nuff said. I stand for the flag and kneel at the cross Last edited by Boog; 09-03-2012 at 09:05 AM.

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