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#1 |
Just Don't Stop!
![]() Join Date: Feb 2004
Location: Dallas
Posts: 1,239
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long step to short step???
Question for down the road. Currently, I have a '68 long step in the body shop being blocked and painted... The more I look at the short stepsides the more I am thinking I will go this way later.
I read a great article on Early Classic's website about chopping the frame. Does anyone have any extra advise to add to this? Also, I am wondering if since the bed has already had all this work done to it if I can just buy the short bed sides and then bolt the bed front, fenders, and tailgate onto the new bedsides? It is a metal floor so I could just cut it or buy the new wood flooring right? Thanks for helping the newbie ![]() |
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#2 |
Registered User
![]() Join Date: Feb 2001
Location: East Central, MO
Posts: 11,336
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You would have to have different steps. Everthing else you can pretty well replace and the fenders will work with a short step.
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#3 |
Just Don't Stop!
![]() Join Date: Feb 2004
Location: Dallas
Posts: 1,239
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so new steps and sides and that's it right?
thanks
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1968 C10 build in process TT LSA/6L90e/9" |
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#4 |
Registered User
![]() Join Date: Feb 2001
Location: East Central, MO
Posts: 11,336
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Shorter rails for the floor and bed boards. I'm sure somone will correct me if I'm wrong and thats ok.
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#5 |
State of Confusion!
![]() ![]() Join Date: Jul 2002
Location: Gulfport, MS USA
Posts: 46,901
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Will need new/different bed sides, steps, floorboards, strips for sure. I don't remember the exact difference, but the frame pads are positioned a bit differently. Might be just an extra one, but they are slightly different.
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Bill 1970 Chevy Custom/10 LWB Fleetside 2010 Toyota Tacoma PreRunner SR5 Double Cab - DD Member of Louisiana Classic Truck Club (LCTC) Bill's Gallery Life isn't tied with a bow, but it's still a gift. Live simply. Love generously. Care deeply. Speak kindly. Leave the rest to God! |
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#6 |
Just Don't Stop!
![]() Join Date: Feb 2004
Location: Dallas
Posts: 1,239
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It's a metal floor so I could just cut it
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1968 C10 build in process TT LSA/6L90e/9" |
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#7 |
Registered User
![]() Join Date: May 2002
Location: North Carolina
Posts: 1,234
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Think I'd find a short frame and go from there........
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Stepsides look like real trucks! Smitty ![]() |
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#8 |
Just Don't Stop!
![]() Join Date: Feb 2004
Location: Dallas
Posts: 1,239
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and swap the whole frame? I think that would be way more work...
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1968 C10 build in process TT LSA/6L90e/9" |
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#9 |
Just Don't Stop!
![]() Join Date: Feb 2004
Location: Dallas
Posts: 1,239
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check out the link:
http://earlyclassic.com/techarticles/cctapr03pg1.html Anybody good welder with some common sense and mechanical ability can do this mod.
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1968 C10 build in process TT LSA/6L90e/9" |
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#10 |
i love summertime
Join Date: Jul 2002
Location: Kelowna BC
Posts: 4,303
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we shortened the frame on the 67, well its a 71 leaf rear frame, we removed 12 inches i think it was from inbetween the cab mounts, then i thinki t was 6 inches off the back, it was pretty straight forward, also fish plated the inside of the frame rail where the seam is. its strong as hell and straight as an arrow
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1967 shortbox stepside Chevy, 365 hp 327, th400. GLOVE BOX LIGHTS FORSALE, click link for info http://67-72chevytrucks.com/vboard/s...d.php?t=273724 |
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#11 |
Just Don't Stop!
![]() Join Date: Feb 2004
Location: Dallas
Posts: 1,239
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good deal! how long did it take you? any tips?
Thanks!
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1968 C10 build in process TT LSA/6L90e/9" |
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#12 |
Registered User
Join Date: Jul 2003
Location: Cypress, Tx
Posts: 4,005
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Maybe you could sell the long stepside to a board member. I know there are plenty of folks who want one. Then possibly buy a short step. You might even be able to trade for one.
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1972 C20 Suburban- Big Blue Betty '56 Chevy Bel Air Sedan- Frame up Restoration -What would you attempt to achieve if you knew you could not fail?- -I Refuse To Tiptoe Through Life, Only To Arrive Safely At Death's Door- R.I.P. EAST SIDE LOW LIFE |
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#13 |
Registered User
![]() Join Date: May 2002
Location: North Carolina
Posts: 1,234
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Yes, I think swapping out a frame is better, easier than cutting a frame in half, realigning, welding, reinforcing it and ending up with a truck that will have it's value reduced drastically if the buyer looks under it-or perhaps even a lawsuit if he doesn't. NOT THAT A CUT FRAME ISN'T SAFE OR SOLID IF DONE RIGHT--THEY ARE, BUT THAT'S NOT THE POINT.
If you care enough to do either, you'll want to clean/ paint the frame and end up with a truck to be proud of--or don't you? JMHO---it's your truck and money ![]()
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Stepsides look like real trucks! Smitty ![]() |
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#14 |
Just Don't Stop!
![]() Join Date: Feb 2004
Location: Dallas
Posts: 1,239
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I think you are totally off base yes.
Do you think the hundreds of trucks that have been cut and notched for bags or custom rear suspensions are not proud of their investment? I doubt if any informed person would consider such a mod as a negatve at all. Perhaps on a origional show truck but definatly not on a custom truck. And swapping EVERYTHING from a nice running truck to another frame completely WOULD take longer than a chop and weld. How do you figure? Maybe I'm wrong, any second opinions?
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1968 C10 build in process TT LSA/6L90e/9" |
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#15 |
Young truck fanatic
Join Date: Jun 2003
Location: The wonderful Mat-Su Valley....Palmer, Ak
Posts: 253
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Well, Honestly I say dont do it. The Longstep is a rarely built truck which is very cool. They look awesome just the way they are allthough some may disagree with me.(I am partial though). I really think the longstep is cool, but it is your truck and you can do what you want. Just my 2cents.
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'67 Chevy Longstep 2wd 350 w/4spd manual Muncie M21. My first project. **Proud to be Valley Trash** |
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#16 |
Just Don't Stop!
![]() Join Date: Feb 2004
Location: Dallas
Posts: 1,239
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Good point! I am still iffy about it. I like knowing the options available though...
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1968 C10 build in process TT LSA/6L90e/9" |
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#17 |
Registered User
Join Date: Feb 2001
Location: Ohio
Posts: 1,025
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I want a longstep
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#18 |
Registered User
Join Date: Aug 2002
Location: Muskogee, Oklahoma
Posts: 2,914
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Hi, my name is Gene.....And i'm a frame cutter
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#19 |
Registered User
Join Date: Aug 2002
Location: Wide awake Wylie (North Texas)
Posts: 322
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do what you'd like
[QUOTE]Originally posted by FirstGen
[B]I think you are totally off base yes. Cut it and do what you'd like. This guy is giving you pointers as to what is involved with the mod. In my opinion, it'd take longer to cut up the frame, align, weld, fix bed, swap parts...... If you really want a short step, then you might want too start off with a short bed. |
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#20 |
Just Don't Stop!
![]() Join Date: Feb 2004
Location: Dallas
Posts: 1,239
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Yeah there are many ways to look at it I suppose. Short beds are hard to find in good shape for good prices in Dallas. That's the largest problem...
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1968 C10 build in process TT LSA/6L90e/9" |
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#22 |
Just Don't Stop!
![]() Join Date: Feb 2004
Location: Dallas
Posts: 1,239
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yeah already posted about that one on Wed... he had a deal pending...
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1968 C10 build in process TT LSA/6L90e/9" |
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#23 |
Registered User
![]() Join Date: May 2002
Location: North Carolina
Posts: 1,234
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[QUOTE]Originally posted by FirstGen
[B]I think you are totally off base yes. I was always taught that if you asked for an opinion, you obligated yourself to either accepting it with gratitude or rejecting it with it diplomacy. You, sir, have done neither, but have shown your total ignorance of mature and proper conduct as well as correct spelling and punctuation. By all means chop away at all the trucks you choose--do you really think I give a fat rat's A$$ what you screw up on your vehicles? Rest assured I will not respond to any of your future posts, nor I suspect will some others. You list yourself as "firstgen"--I certainly hope you are the last.
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Stepsides look like real trucks! Smitty ![]() |
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#24 |
Registered User
Join Date: Nov 2001
Location: Concord, NC
Posts: 2,489
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I'm a frame cutter also. Here are a few pics from my old website ( in the process of updating the website now)
These pics show a method that IMO, is far better than the one used in that article posted above. ![]() ![]() ![]() I have developed an upgrade for frame shortening since those pics were taken that is a bit better. One more thing, if a video of frame shortening will help, I have them. |
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#25 |
Saving 1 truck at a time!
Join Date: Aug 2001
Location: Kent, WA
Posts: 6,465
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Earl, You are not a frame cutter...you, my friend, are an aritist...LOL!
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'68 C20 Longhorn 50th Anniversary 400/TH400 '68 C20 Longhorn 50th Anniversary 468/TH400w/buckets '72 C20 Halfhorn (Longhorn w/o cab and front clip) '69 Flxible Cruiser (look up ugly in the dictionary) |
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