Longbed to Shortbed conversion - The 1947 - Present Chevrolet & GMC Truck Message Board Network

70blazer · 06-22-2004, 11:16 PM

I just pulled the bed off of the 67 longbed I was given last week. The kid behind me started to pull the truck apart and his dad got sick of it sitting in his garage so he came over and told me I could have it. I have not been on the board much since I had my back fused back in 11/03. I had to sell my 69 to pay for medical bills. I am sooooooooo excited to have picked up this truck for nothing. To get to the point, the bed is very rough. I would love to have a 67 short fleet so how difficult is it to mount up a short fleet bed on a longbed frame?

Anyone done it successfully? I would love some real info. on this before I decide what to do and you all have been incredible to help me out before. Thanks in advance and here are a couple of shots of what I got done today.

Mark70Z · 06-22-2004, 11:33 PM

I've got a 67 short frame sitting here in Illinois for you for $150. smrmason@mtco.com or call 309-365-9300 Shawn

3rdGenrationChevyman · 06-23-2004, 12:27 AM

Is it possible to mount a short bed on a longbed frame?

Russell · 06-23-2004, 12:48 AM

with some cutting, welding and drilling, yes you can...

Easiest to just find a shortbed frame though

3rdGenrationChevyman · 06-23-2004, 12:50 AM

eh, that sounds like a whole lotta work...

I think Ill keep my LWB...

Russell · 06-23-2004, 01:00 AM

Longbeds cooler anyways

typhoon · 06-23-2004, 01:14 AM

you'll have to cut 12 inches from under the cab, and 8 inches off of the back of the frame. of course, you will have to move the rear cab mounts back 12 inches to make up for the lost chunk. If the truck is already apart, it's not hard to do, (provided you have a welder).

Deuce · 06-23-2004, 12:52 PM

On the EARLY CLASSIC website under "tech" you'll find a article on how to do this conversion. I'm doing this as we speak.

70blazer · 06-23-2004, 06:07 PM

Thanks guys. Mark70Z, I wish you were closer. I would love to avoid the work for $150. I am going to search for a shortbed around here, if I can't find one then I may just stick with the longbed. I will still need to pickup a better bed though.

Deuce · 06-23-2004, 06:16 PM

But a shortbox looks soo cool.

3rdGenrationChevyman · 06-23-2004, 06:21 PM

yeah, but you cant haul yer mother in law in a short bed...

67cst · 06-23-2004, 06:57 PM

i lost the pics of my truck when it was a longbox, but here is one of it now, i removed 12 inches between the cab mounts and 8 off the back..like mentioned above, also it isnt as easy as cutting and re welding, everything has to be bang on straight so its all plum when you re assemble, we used a jig to keep everything square

70blazer · 06-24-2004, 08:19 AM

Do the stepside and fleetside beds have the same dimensions for mounting? Are they the same length? 67CST I love the look of your stepside with the small back window.

dubie · 06-24-2004, 09:09 AM

http://www.earlyclassic.com/techarti...tapr03pg1.html

a step by step with pics on how to shorten your frame

ebfabman · 06-24-2004, 04:05 PM

That article shows one way to shorten a frame but IMO (and many others) it is not the preferred method. The "Z" cut or "stair step" method, if done right will be stronger and virtually eliminates any alignment issues. If you can weld its almost fool proof.

ebfabman · 06-24-2004, 04:09 PM

Here is what it will look like before welding and any gussets. The full 12 inches is used as the "Z" or "stair step"

ebfabman · 06-24-2004, 04:13 PM

Heres what it looks like finished..............

70blazer · 06-24-2004, 04:35 PM

Ebfabman that is sweet. I love it when someone else thinks up a better way to do things. That is the approach I will be taking.

*1972C10* · 06-24-2004, 08:08 PM

That Z Has been out for awhile I did Mine Like that Except i plated mine inside differently And Mine are oppossing cut's meaning the driver side front half is on top and the passenger side back is on top .

There is a place in california that sells a kit for tracing it out but i didnt buy it they wanted 115 for a plastic template and two peices of 3/8 plate

70blazer · 06-24-2004, 11:17 PM

Even better with the opposing cuts. I pulled the cab off today and I have a good welder lined up for the welds. Any advice on what is best to use to make the cuts with?

67cst · 06-25-2004, 01:42 AM

a plasma would be nice but if you have a torch make sure you clean the tip good for a nice clean cut, also a steady hand and a straight edge to follow is a must, or even a zip cut disk on a grinder would do the trick

*1972C10* · 06-25-2004, 05:11 AM

Cut mine with a plasma but have also done them with a torch just get a fine tip like previously stated and take your time nothing hard really just clean it with a grinder and bevel it a tad any cheap 4" grinder will do this and makes it

Welds dont hold on trashy slag covered surface

The cut off wheel would work too i bet a skillsaw with a carbide would do a nice job

Mine was just cut with a little miller plasma freehanded just measured off the middle for 2 feet then marked halfway up with a good welders pencil .

06-22-2004, 11:16 PM	#1
70blazer Registered User Join Date: Jul 2002 Location: Utah Posts: 239	Longbed to Shortbed conversion I just pulled the bed off of the 67 longbed I was given last week. The kid behind me started to pull the truck apart and his dad got sick of it sitting in his garage so he came over and told me I could have it. I have not been on the board much since I had my back fused back in 11/03. I had to sell my 69 to pay for medical bills. I am sooooooooo excited to have picked up this truck for nothing. To get to the point, the bed is very rough. I would love to have a 67 short fleet so how difficult is it to mount up a short fleet bed on a longbed frame? Anyone done it successfully? I would love some real info. on this before I decide what to do and you all have been incredible to help me out before. Thanks in advance and here are a couple of shots of what I got done today. Attached Images __________________ 1967 Suburban, my kids call it the SuburBEAN cuz its long and green.

06-23-2004, 12:27 AM	#3
3rdGenrationChevyman What me ugly? Join Date: Jun 2004 Location: Albuquerque, NM Posts: 104	Is it possible to mount a short bed on a longbed frame? __________________ `70 C-10 LWB Big & Ugly, like its owner... 307 SB - 600 Holley, Offenhauser 360 - Muncie 465, 3:73 Posi, 33" BF-G`s I like my trucks like my women... big & old with 33" feet.

06-23-2004, 12:48 AM	#4
Russell Professional Grade Join Date: May 2003 Location: Fort McMurray, Alberta Posts: 7,915	with some cutting, welding and drilling, yes you can... Easiest to just find a shortbed frame though __________________ 1995 Chevrolet 2 Door Tahoe (6.6L LBZ Duramax / ZF6 / NP241 with 1 ton solid axle swap)

06-23-2004, 12:50 AM	#5
3rdGenrationChevyman What me ugly? Join Date: Jun 2004 Location: Albuquerque, NM Posts: 104	eh, that sounds like a whole lotta work... I think Ill keep my LWB... __________________ `70 C-10 LWB Big & Ugly, like its owner... 307 SB - 600 Holley, Offenhauser 360 - Muncie 465, 3:73 Posi, 33" BF-G`s I like my trucks like my women... big & old with 33" feet.

06-23-2004, 01:00 AM	#6
Russell Professional Grade Join Date: May 2003 Location: Fort McMurray, Alberta Posts: 7,915	Longbeds cooler anyways __________________ 1995 Chevrolet 2 Door Tahoe (6.6L LBZ Duramax / ZF6 / NP241 with 1 ton solid axle swap)

06-22-2004, 11:33 PM	#2
Mark70Z Registered User Join Date: Sep 2003 Location: Jacksonville, FL Posts: 128	I've got a 67 short frame sitting here in Illinois for you for $150. smrmason@mtco.com or call 309-365-9300 Shawn

06-23-2004, 01:14 AM	#7
typhoon Registered User Join Date: Apr 2004 Location: Comox B.C. Canada Posts: 20	Shortbed conversion you'll have to cut 12 inches from under the cab, and 8 inches off of the back of the frame. of course, you will have to move the rear cab mounts back 12 inches to make up for the lost chunk. If the truck is already apart, it's not hard to do, (provided you have a welder).

06-23-2004, 12:52 PM	#8
Deuce Registered User Join Date: Apr 2004 Location: Calgary, Alberta,Canada Posts: 1,595	On the EARLY CLASSIC website under "tech" you'll find a article on how to do this conversion. I'm doing this as we speak. __________________ I know what your thinking.......I have ESPN. Sometimes it's easier to do things the hard way. Fesler Built 1968 Chevy C10....Must resist the urge to mess with it!!

06-23-2004, 06:07 PM	#9
70blazer Registered User Join Date: Jul 2002 Location: Utah Posts: 239	Thanks guys. Mark70Z, I wish you were closer. I would love to avoid the work for $150. I am going to search for a shortbed around here, if I can't find one then I may just stick with the longbed. I will still need to pickup a better bed though. __________________ 1967 Suburban, my kids call it the SuburBEAN cuz its long and green.

06-23-2004, 06:16 PM	#10
Deuce Registered User Join Date: Apr 2004 Location: Calgary, Alberta,Canada Posts: 1,595	But a shortbox looks soo cool. __________________ I know what your thinking.......I have ESPN. Sometimes it's easier to do things the hard way. Fesler Built 1968 Chevy C10....Must resist the urge to mess with it!!

06-23-2004, 06:21 PM	#11
3rdGenrationChevyman What me ugly? Join Date: Jun 2004 Location: Albuquerque, NM Posts: 104	yeah, but you cant haul yer mother in law in a short bed... __________________ `70 C-10 LWB Big & Ugly, like its owner... 307 SB - 600 Holley, Offenhauser 360 - Muncie 465, 3:73 Posi, 33" BF-G`s I like my trucks like my women... big & old with 33" feet.

06-23-2004, 06:57 PM	#12
67cst i love summertime Join Date: Jul 2002 Location: Kelowna BC Posts: 4,303	i lost the pics of my truck when it was a longbox, but here is one of it now, i removed 12 inches between the cab mounts and 8 off the back..like mentioned above, also it isnt as easy as cutting and re welding, everything has to be bang on straight so its all plum when you re assemble, we used a jig to keep everything square Attached Images __________________ 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

06-24-2004, 08:19 AM	#13
70blazer Registered User Join Date: Jul 2002 Location: Utah Posts: 239	Do the stepside and fleetside beds have the same dimensions for mounting? Are they the same length? 67CST I love the look of your stepside with the small back window. __________________ 1967 Suburban, my kids call it the SuburBEAN cuz its long and green.

06-24-2004, 09:09 AM	#14
dubie Registered User Join Date: May 2000 Location: Flin Flon, Manitoba, Canada Posts: 8,855	http://www.earlyclassic.com/techarti...tapr03pg1.html a step by step with pics on how to shorten your frame __________________ My name's Tim and I'm a truckaholic My 56 Chevy shop truck build http://67-72chevytrucks.com/vboard/s...d.php?t=562795

06-24-2004, 04:05 PM	#15
ebfabman Registered User Join Date: Nov 2001 Location: Concord, NC Posts: 2,489	That article shows one way to shorten a frame but IMO (and many others) it is not the preferred method. The "Z" cut or "stair step" method, if done right will be stronger and virtually eliminates any alignment issues. If you can weld its almost fool proof.



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06-24-2004, 04:09 PM	#16
ebfabman Registered User Join Date: Nov 2001 Location: Concord, NC Posts: 2,489	Here is what it will look like before welding and any gussets. The full 12 inches is used as the "Z" or "stair step"

06-24-2004, 04:13 PM	#17
ebfabman Registered User Join Date: Nov 2001 Location: Concord, NC Posts: 2,489	Heres what it looks like finished..............

06-24-2004, 04:35 PM	#18
70blazer Registered User Join Date: Jul 2002 Location: Utah Posts: 239	Ebfabman that is sweet. I love it when someone else thinks up a better way to do things. That is the approach I will be taking. __________________ 1967 Suburban, my kids call it the SuburBEAN cuz its long and green.

06-24-2004, 08:08 PM	#19
1972C10 Account Suspended Join Date: Dec 2003 Location: Texas Posts: 2,686	That Z Has been out for awhile I did Mine Like that Except i plated mine inside differently And Mine are oppossing cut's meaning the driver side front half is on top and the passenger side back is on top . There is a place in california that sells a kit for tracing it out but i didnt buy it they wanted 115 for a plastic template and two peices of 3/8 plate Last edited by 1972C10; 06-24-2004 at 08:15 PM.

06-24-2004, 11:17 PM	#20
70blazer Registered User Join Date: Jul 2002 Location: Utah Posts: 239	Even better with the opposing cuts. I pulled the cab off today and I have a good welder lined up for the welds. Any advice on what is best to use to make the cuts with? __________________ 1967 Suburban, my kids call it the SuburBEAN cuz its long and green.

06-25-2004, 01:42 AM	#21
67cst i love summertime Join Date: Jul 2002 Location: Kelowna BC Posts: 4,303	a plasma would be nice but if you have a torch make sure you clean the tip good for a nice clean cut, also a steady hand and a straight edge to follow is a must, or even a zip cut disk on a grinder would do the trick __________________ 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

06-25-2004, 05:11 AM	#22
1972C10 Account Suspended Join Date: Dec 2003 Location: Texas Posts: 2,686	Cut mine with a plasma but have also done them with a torch just get a fine tip like previously stated and take your time nothing hard really just clean it with a grinder and bevel it a tad any cheap 4" grinder will do this and makes it Welds dont hold on trashy slag covered surface The cut off wheel would work too i bet a skillsaw with a carbide would do a nice job Mine was just cut with a little miller plasma freehanded just measured off the middle for 2 feet then marked halfway up with a good welders pencil .

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