Changing Body lengths

[zstarkey]

Has anyone ever taken a Long Bed frame and made a Short bed frameout of it. If so how hard is it and what are the tips you can give me i really dont want to buy another frame. Thanks guys

[beaterC10]

I haven't done the conversion but I have junked a few trucks this summer. What I have noticed is:

You need to shorten the chassis between the cab and bed and behind the rear axle.

It looks like the swb trucks use the 52" springs and the lwb use either the 52" or 56".

You also need to look at what size gas tank you have. It looks like the swb trucks use the smaller capacity tank and the lwb sues either.

The swb trucks seem to use short tailshaft when a T350 is used and a long tailshaft T350 in the lwb.

You will also need to change the e-brake cables.

Dave

[beaterC10]

There is a thread on the 67-72 message board on this subjet. It might help

[bluex]

Just finished mine a few months ago. I have pics and in the process of writing up a how-to that will be up on 73-87.com.

Dave covered most of it. You need the 16 gal gas tank and shorter e-brake cables. 14" must come out of the frame between the cab and rear axle. He is also right on the leaf spring length. Mine is a Big 10, so it has the 56" leaves. If you have these dont plan on running a rear bumper or a reese hitch. You have to take around 4 1/2" off the rear of the frame to get the bed to sit down flat. That only leaves about 2" of the frame past the shackle mounts. The tranny lengths wont matter if you get your ds shortened. I had mine shortened balanced and new joints put in for $80. Check with your local shop to see how they prefer the measurement.

[zstarkey]

Thank you so much i want to do this soo bad just because the long beds weigh sooooooooooo much

Thank you for all the help guys

[ElGracho]

Originally Posted by zstarkey

Thank you so much i want to do this soo bad just because the long beds weigh sooooooooooo much

Thank you for all the help guys

The difference in weight between a long bed and a short bed won't be too terrible much. You can take off weight in these trucks other ways... This swap is significant work, especially since you will be shortening a frame. Unless your truck is already perfect, you should consider selling the lwb and buying a swb...

[bigblock73]

Originally Posted by bluex

Just finished mine a few months ago. I have pics and in the process of writing up a how-to that will be up on 73-87.com.

I might have my truck done before that happens!

Just kiddin man, looking forward to getting it and adding it to the site. Think of how much typing you'll be saving yourself!

[1972C10]

Originally Posted by zstarkey

Thank you so much i want to do this soo bad just because the long beds weigh sooooooooooo much

Thank you for all the help guys

I shortened My 72 A few years back it wieghed 3700 before and 3660 after.

[bluex]

Originally Posted by ElGracho

The difference in weight between a long bed and a short bed won't be too terrible much. You can take off weight in these trucks other ways... This swap is significant work, especially since you will be shortening a frame. Unless your truck is already perfect, you should consider selling the lwb and buying a swb...

Its not that much work. I spread it out over a couple of days, but working steady I would have had it all done (minus the ds work) in say 5-6 hrs. The worst part is drilling the new holes for the gas tank and bed mounting holes. It only took 3 hrs start to finish to cut out the middle and we took about 2 breaks in there too. That also includes unloading and loading the tools. IMO its not that bad I spent more time on my 700R4 swap.