Longbed to Shortbed

[cheap]

I know a lot of people have done this swap, but i was curious if anyone had cut the actual beds for this conversion? How much length and out of where?
Thanks

[Gregski]

couple suggestions

1. the guys on a show called Car Fix did an episode on shortening the frame and the bottom of the bed, they cut the frame under the bed right behind the cab, did a straight cut and cut out 14 inches, and than again in the rear by the bumper, they cut the bed floor but bought new aftermarket sides, I forgot the lengths

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=pjRFIWBFHlo

2. Stacey David on his show Gearz also did an episode on this, he did a step cut right under the cab and then also cut some frame off the back, I think he bought a new aftermarket short bed

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=O9zy08qsahk

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=REUsfEUv5Mo

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=6o2k6QoERio

[gasmn1620]

Saw the gears episodes. I personally think the step cut is the better way to go, with some reinforcement plates plug welded in. As far as the body work, I would think buying new quarters and then cutting down the interior of the bed would be the best way to go.

[cheap]

Yes, I know the frame cutting dimensions, I was curious of what to cut out of the actual bed though? Same amount as frame? Best place to cut it? Tips?

[tinydb84]

I can only help you with the front section as I am only shortening that part. Here are the pictures:


I took all 20 out of the front. You will want to take out 14.


Decided to stitch weld it:


Make sure you check the bottom side of where you are going to cut so you don't cut mid support. You also want to plan out your bed mount holes. Make your cuts near the edge as there is more shape to the metal and less likely to move. I stitch welded it because it was still fairly thin metal. I didn't really have any warpage issues. I used a chunk of aluminum behind each weld in order to absorb some of the heat.

I spent a lot of time measuring and marking where I was going to cut. The tape is there just for me to look. I used a punch and marked each "slat" with two punches and then used a scribe to draw out my lines.

[tinydb84]

I didn't take a pic of the outside when I made the actual marks. I made the outside cut one inch from the edge. That way I could planish yet still close enough to the edge that it would have some strength from the high crown.

The inside cut was closer to two inches in. The panel has a dip in it and I needed to include that shape in order for it to line up properly. Since the lines are in two different places you have to make a horizontal cut along the top on the inside of the panel.

Made the cut and check to see how far off I was....

Cleaning up the fit a bit. I spent a bit more time trying to get the fit perfect because I didnt have the luxury of clamping an aluminum block to the backside of it like I did for the front panel.



Again I used a punch and a scribe to mark my cuts. The blue stuff is the layout fluid I used to see the marks better. I stripped the paint off prior to playing out my lines.

[tinydb84]

[QUOTE=tinydb84;7443168]Weld, planish, repeat:


Need to do some body work on it still:

Two things I needed to fix


I ended up cutting this out and welding in a patch.

And side shot of the bed:

[tinydb84]

A bit that didn't line up

[tinydb84]

I patched a bit of my inner fender and took a lot of pics because someone was asking about patching in the body work section on another board.



ignore the fact that I cut the patch too small....

TIG'ing it in

Filled and DA'd

[tinydb84]

Its a bit of work and you cant really planish the welds at the top.

The back section has an additional issue of the bottom of the bed being at an angle. You will need to cut it horizontally and try to shorten it or buy a patch from a short bed to match that line.

[Gregski]

Originally Posted by cheap

Yes, I know the frame cutting dimensions, I was curious of what to cut out of the actual bed though? Same amount as frame? Best place to cut it? Tips?

That's what the Car Fix video will tell you, they did just that.

[tinydb84]

Originally Posted by Gregski

That's what the Car Fix video will tell you, they did just that.

I saw the episode awhile back but didn't they buy new bedsides instead of cutting them down?

[Gregski]

Originally Posted by tinydb84

I saw the episode awhile back but didn't they buy new bedsides instead of cutting them down?

yes, but they cut the bed floor in front and back I think, that may help