How about some pics of '73-'91 Crew Cab Short beds?

[scotts62]

Originally Posted by Jonboy

Looks like it was just an excuse to take a picture of Mitch to me.

yeah he was posing in both.

[kevinr1970]

Originally Posted by joe231

any progress on the solution?

I have been pretty busy coaching (HS girls soccer), then spent 2 weeks in Moab, UT and Lake Powell, AZ.
After all that sun, I have been pretty unmotivated to go work out in the rain...

I thought we had a solution; looking at the LMC catalog, they list different rear cab mount "cushions" for 3/4 ton and 4x4 vs. 1/2 ton.
It made sence that that was the problem and the guy that did the work said that he runs into a similar problem on the 67-72 trucks (he is well known for his expertise on those trucks).
I measured the frame to the ground and the body to the ground (don't remember the exact measurements) and while the frame had a rake to the front, the body was level. This suggested that the cab was sitting lower on the frame towards the rear of cab than the front.
He said it was possible that he used the cross-member that was in the best shape without noticing that the cushions were different?
But after going back and looking at the catalog, the cushions being different only applies up to 1980?
They do list different cusions for 81-83 and 84-87, but the project truck and donor truck were both 87's.

The mechanic suggested putting some shims under the cushions and said that is a common thing to do on the 67-72's when swapping cabs.
I had the laser programmer at work make a quick program to cut some 3x3 plates with 5/8" holes in the center; (8) 1/4" thick and (8) 1/8" thick.
I ended up using half of each on the cab and having to use the other half on the bed to keep the body line even. I am still off a little bit so I had (8) more of each made (this time with slots instead of holes so I could just slip them over the bolts instead of having to remove them) but have not had a chance to go put them on yet.

While swapping doors, fenders and hood (before realizing I had the alignment problem with the bed) I was having no luck at all getting any of them to line up worth a damn. I am no body man so I just assumed that was something the body shop could correct when it ever goes in for paint. I bought a cowl hood and to get the front of the hood flush with the front edges of the fenders I had to slide the hood real far roward in the hinges leaving a masive gap at the back of the hood. I just assumed that this was due to it being an aftermarket hood.
I loosened up the bolts from the fenders to the cab before jacking it up to install the shims. When I was done for the day I noticed that the door to fender alignment was WAY better than before. Also, the hood now sticks out past the front edges of the fenders; when I loosen the hood to slide it back in the hinges the gap between the rear of he hood and the cowl should be halved. I assume all of this is because the cab has been tipped forward?
This would seem to tell me that he used the 1/2 ton X-member and that they are in fact different... except for all the shims I have to put under the bed also???
I think another 1/4" and maybe another 1/8" shim under both the bed and the cab should have it dialed. But then I have to add progressively smaller shims for the other three sets of bed bolts too, at least for the middle two sets.

Bottom line is I have a way to get it to look right, but I am not sure if it is the right way to make it right...

[joe231]

Originally Posted by Jonboy

Looks like it was just an excuse to take a picture of Mitch to me.

Originally Posted by scotts62

yeah he was posing in both.

Yeah

Originally Posted by kevinr1970

I have been pretty busy coaching (HS girls soccer), then spent 2 weeks in Moab, UT and Lake Powell, AZ.
After all that sun, I have been pretty unmotivated to go work out in the rain...

I thought we had a solution; looking at the LMC catalog, they list different rear cab mount "cushions" for 3/4 ton and 4x4 vs. 1/2 ton.
It made sence that that was the problem and the guy that did the work said that he runs into a similar problem on the 67-72 trucks (he is well known for his expertise on those trucks).
I measured the frame to the ground and the body to the ground (don't remember the exact measurements) and while the frame had a rake to the front, the body was level. This suggested that the cab was sitting lower on the frame towards the rear of cab than the front.
He said it was possible that he used the cross-member that was in the best shape without noticing that the cushions were different?
But after going back and looking at the catalog, the cushions being different only applies up to 1980?
They do list different cusions for 81-83 and 84-87, but the project truck and donor truck were both 87's.

The mechanic suggested putting some shims under the cushions and said that is a common thing to do on the 67-72's when swapping cabs.
I had the laser programmer at work make a quick program to cut some 3x3 plates with 5/8" holes in the center; (8) 1/4" thick and (8) 1/8" thick.
I ended up using half of each on the cab and having to use the other half on the bed to keep the body line even. I am still off a little bit so I had (8) more of each made (this time with slots instead of holes so I could just slip them over the bolts instead of having to remove them) but have not had a chance to go put them on yet.

While swapping doors, fenders and hood (before realizing I had the alignment problem with the bed) I was having no luck at all getting any of them to line up worth a damn. I am no body man so I just assumed that was something the body shop could correct when it ever goes in for paint. I bought a cowl hood and to get the front of the hood flush with the front edges of the fenders I had to slide the hood real far roward in the hinges leaving a masive gap at the back of the hood. I just assumed that this was due to it being an aftermarket hood.
I loosened up the bolts from the fenders to the cab before jacking it up to install the shims. When I was done for the day I noticed that the door to fender alignment was WAY better than before. Also, the hood now sticks out past the front edges of the fenders; when I loosen the hood to slide it back in the hinges the gap between the rear of he hood and the cowl should be halved. I assume all of this is because the cab has been tipped forward?
This would seem to tell me that he used the 1/2 ton X-member and that they are in fact different... except for all the shims I have to put under the bed also???
I think another 1/4" and maybe another 1/8" shim under both the bed and the cab should have it dialed. But then I have to add progressively smaller shims for the other three sets of bed bolts too, at least for the middle two sets.

Bottom line is I have a way to get it to look right, but I am not sure if it is the right way to make it right...

Glad you got something figured out.....
Guess it all comes down to "can you live with it"?
If the answer is Yes then go for it!
Posted via Mobile Device

[Devillusion]

Doesn't seem to really make sense why the box doesn't line up though.

[cvalcore]

here is a couple of pics of the one i picked up a few weeks ago!

[JohnC]

Looks like a nice project!

[gafiredog]

Originally Posted by bagged74

here are a few of the one i built and sold a while back

any information on the red & beige truck in the back ground ? nice looking truck.

[bagged74]

Originally Posted by gafiredog

any information on the red & beige truck in the back ground ? nice looking truck.

Its Red and White....
79 2wd Blazer, Mostly original paint, real cool truck, wish I had that one back

[toomanytoyz]

Just wanted to bring back up for any new builds we may have going on, Would like to see more pics in the Club???

Thanks, Rick

Originally Posted by toomanytoyz

Here is a Link to the Club for Short Bed Crews, Be Sure to Join up if you have one or Plan to Build one..................

http://67-72chevytrucks.com/vboard/group.php?groupid=44

Rick

[eke82]

i have an 81 swb i redid about ten years ago that i want to stretch into 4 doors since 2 car seats and wife wont fit in the front seat with me very well i have everything to do it but the cab itself cant seem to find a rust free cab in nebraska or everyone want a fortune for a complete pickup around here keep looking on craigslist and every other site

[cvalcore]

i just bought a rebuild fuel injected 454 with 0 miles on for mine.

[joe231]

Originally Posted by eke82

i have an 81 swb i redid about ten years ago that i want to stretch into 4 doors since 2 car seats and wife wont fit in the front seat with me very well i have everything to do it but the cab itself cant seem to find a rust free cab in nebraska or everyone want a fortune for a complete pickup around here keep looking on craigslist and every other site

I know where a cab is here in Oklahoma, with no doors, for $200.....

Originally Posted by cvalcore

i just bought a rebuild fuel injected 454 with 0 miles on for mine.

very cool!!
have you started a build thread?
we need more pics!

[eke82]

were at in oklahoma? i am about 8 hrs from norman what options for the cab and color is it?
thanks eric everingham

[cvalcore]

no have not but i will soon im just gathering parts at the moment

[joe231]

Originally Posted by eke82

were at in oklahoma? i am about 8 hrs from norman what options for the cab and color is it?
thanks eric everingham

I think it is a '78
No doors, it has a/c though.
I think it is either light brown or orange and white 2 tone.
It is in the far east side of OKC.
I'll see if I can find the guys number
Posted via Mobile Device

[joe231]

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=x6qNi1lXtSc

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=KzCdui3apZw

[Tow Me]

Pretty cool laid out CCSB. I found this on the Dropsicles CC website under their Lethbridge, AB chapter. www.dropsicles.com
Says the owner is Rich and its a 1985 Chevy Crew Cab short box.

[STOCKISH]

Any more out there?

[bagged74]

just realized I hadn't posted my latest one in this thread

[toomanytoyz]

These pics were in the other thread about Crews..........

Rick

[toomanytoyz]

Would it be Possible to make this Thread a Stickie???

Rick

[kevinr1970]

Posted these in the artistic shots thread.

[joe231]

Originally Posted by toomanytoyz

Would it be Possible to make this Thread a Stickie???

Rick

nope, sorry.
not for lack of trying either....

Originally Posted by kevinr1970

Posted these in the artistic shots thread.

nice!

[Devillusion]

Originally Posted by kevinr1970

...what size tires are you running? And what drop front/rear? I am doing the same thing to mine except keeping it 8 lug and using a cab and chassis 14 bolt which is narrower for a wider meat out back. Going to stick with widened stock steelies in a 16"...

nice ride by the way, build thread?

[D.FENS]

If I started with a 1ton DRW crewcab, what would the smartest way to get the parts needed for a CCSB conversion? Buy a 1/2 ton parts truck?

Don't light me up for axing a stupid question. Never really used my dually for what I bought it for and maybe this way I can actually get some use out of it.