Long to short bed help

[stangboy88]

So I have came across an extremely nice 68 lwb chevy that was resto'd in 90's and then has started to age since. The floor will need a little work for a patch but the interior is very nice. With a solid 350 it'll do for now until I can find a 6.0 to drop in. Anyways, what is the view on the forum for cutting the frame to shorten to a swb chevy? How much do I have to cut out? I saw it on Trucks TV when Stacy was still on there and he cut 12" off in front the rear wheel, correct? How much would this cost a shop to do? Worth me doing it in the shop?

[chevy88]

12 is correct, and 8 off the back. As for a shop rate get a quote from one. But if I had to guess I would think around at least one thousand or look at my build as I did it myself but I had the tools and some metal skills. As for the box if I you don't have welding skills or auto body skills it would be cheaper to buy the box sides or keep an eye out for a short box for sale or less of a headache and cost just get the whole short box truck.
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[GRX]

Originally Posted by stangboy88

So I have came across an extremely nice 68 lwb chevy ......... Anyways, what is the view on the forum for cutting the frame to shorten to a swb chevy?

My view? Chopping an "extremely nice" lwb truck to make a stubby is a step in the wrong direction.
You did ask

[steelhorse]

I was going to go this route and found a swb frame for $150 on craigslist. Cutting the frame isn't to hard if you take your time but there is nothing wrong with a nice lwb also.

[cdowns]

lots of the aborted hack an wack jobs end up[ in the dumpster after the owner gives up and cant find a sucker to give him a dime for them

[slow-1]

I know around here you can find a good SWB frame (or whole truck) for much less than cutting that one will cost.

To each his own as far as to cut or not, but logically there are so many SWB trucks sitting around waiting to be brought back to life, why cut one down?

[stangboy88]

Steelhorse: My though exactly just finding that good a deal might take a lil longer which is no problem just time lol, and as far as transfering everying to the swb frame it'd give me the time to go frame up which is what will happen anyways

Slow-1: agreed, my thought was the appeal to me would be the look, yet for someone to walk up and i say i chopped frame i wouldn't want to do anything to dimenish value so thats thought

Thanks for everyone's response, really cool to see so many people's input and view for a beginning chevy guy, still gotta stay true to the old 90 coupe foxbody's though for the cars, the c10 is guna be the cruiser

[slow-1]

Nuthin wrong with a Mustang.

[Harpie]

If you need a frame ones just ten minutes north of the border here in Oklahoma My cousin has a good one that I know he will sale. He has a excellent frame under a 71 or 72 I cant remember and I know of a brand new passenger side bedside sitting in my shop that needs a home that has a shipping ding. Anywho I can give ya his number if ya want he has tons of stuff owns a salvage yard.

[stangboy88]

Harpie: That'd be great, I am actually going to look at a truck or two this weekend, so if something happens i'll be sure to pm you

Slow-1: I have a 09 dark metalic silver one, on 20" black TSW rims, rides like a dream and looks nice going down highway. And like yours probably getting right around 26 hwy mpg lol

[GRX]

Welcome to the board stangboy88. Lots of friendly & knowledgeable people here.

Agreed. Nothing wrong with a Fox body 'stang. Fun platform. I bought this one brand new back in '88

[stangboy88]

GRX: Thats a straight body good lookin stang right there, my father has one fox body (black on black coupe 5.0 factory) at the moment an 03 svt convertible with the factory supercharger and then i have my 09, plust we just sold the 91 hatch GT so now were on to a c10 haha

[C/10 King]

......on another note and opinion, there is absolutely nothing with cutting down a nice longie and making it a shortie as long it is done right and you plan on keeping it.

[stangboy88]

C/10 King: Plan on keeping it but everyone knows if the time comes to you have to sell you dont want that if i would have just put out the time and effort back then. Cause i know there are those who say cut frame get it weld up right and rebraced it'll be stronger, then others will be like its cut...no go. So I'd just be wanting that option.

[LockDoc]

-
Here is a thread on shortening the frame. This is the way I did mine and it worked out great....

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

Here is a link to the FAQ index. A lot of neat "how to" info here.

http://67-72chevytrucks.com/vboard/s...d.php?t=262547

LockDoc

[sprint_9]

Here is one for the box, not sure if you had planed on new box sides:

http://67-72chevytrucks.com/vboard/s...d.php?t=509442

I plan on using this guide for my box along with the one LockDoc posted to convert my lwb into a swb. I would like to find a swb and just use it but there doesn't seem to be many around where I'm at.

[Jdbfish]

Stang, sentiment a pm
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[67ChevyRedneck]

Do it and don't think twice.

I would prefer to find a swb frame if I did it myself, but they're not always easy to find, but you could save yourself some money in the long run:

Consider this:

Most people want power disc brakes. 68's don't have that, at least not disc.

Most people want 5 lugs. 68's have 6. Even if you bought a 5 lug disc brake kit, you'll still have to address the 6 lug rear end.

Most 68's didn't come with power steering, most 71/72's did.

Factor in all that stuff, and the FACT that a shortened lwb or a factory swb truck in the same condition/options as a lwb truck will ALWAYS bring more money on a sale, if you want to do it, do it.

My point? It may cost $3-500+ for a good swb frame, but factor in everything above, I think you'll be ahead of the game if you find a good 71/72 swb frame with disc brakes and 5 lugs. Make sure you take measurements to check for square, always question why a good frame is for sale

[wylieguy]

Harpie, how much would he want for the swb frame?
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[Harpie]

Not sure I looked at it when I was gonna hafta either put front horns on mine or get another frame and we never talked money you can look up r&d salvage in durant oklahoma and talk to Justin he is the owner he has another one or two but don't know if he will part those trucks out or sell as whole. Anyway he has a lot of long bed trucks also great parts trucks.
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[CC69Rat]

Rene is bad to cut one you know.. Cant take him nowhere.

[C/10 King]

[stangboy88]

Ok, then let me ask this, i found a 71 swb roller, its been frame up resto with lowering springs rear and new suspension work in front. Body was taken off and the frame treated and sealed as well as underside of cab after all rust was cut out of corners, rockers and floor. interior is near done but needs work to finish, AC cab and auto on tree. Car appears to be straight from pictures and it is set up for a bbc. Is this something to look into and what would you assume if the car was done correctly would sell for? Its couple different colors of primer and old paint sanded but looks nice and straight.

[diver]

i did a 67 k-20 and made a short bed easy do.

[RexDodge]

Did mine and it turned out ok. Be patient and take your time. Biggest surprise for me was to find out how much these beds taper in the back. Bit of a challenge making the body lines flow.