Why convert to short bed?

[67ChevyRedneck]

Originally Posted by Spullar

Or maybe a truck of a different size?

That's what she said?

[CG]

Just like every other question like this, its all personal preference. BTW I'm not putting down OP, I ask these kind of questions all the time haha!

[boraxman]

Here's my take fwiw, shortbeds look better and are worth more.
Posted via Mobile Device

[special-K]

Heavy duty trucks, such as Mack, Peterbuilt, Kenworth, etc. get lengthened and shortened as common practice when re-outfitted after it's first run on life. We have a local shop here that builds used trucks. They'll take a box van and put a horse van body on, stretch and convert from single to tandem, shorten and put a 5th wheel on. Trucks have been getting reconfigured from the beginning. Although that has been for practical reasons till now when it's purely cosmetic... except easier to parallel park

[71CHEVYSHORTBED402]

Originally Posted by cletusboy

Doing a lot of researching and reading lately. Wanting to know everyone's opinion on why converting to a short bed is so popular, I've even seen that it increases value. In my opinion that would start making long beds more of a rarity and increase the long bed value right? I have a long bed and plan on keeping it that way. Do short beds drive better? Just needing some insight.

Personally I would never do it. As dollars go, I'd pay less for a cut-bed than long bed.

I LOVE my 72 long-bed. First truck I've owned I can actually close the tailgate on 8' lumber. Course it's a driver/work truck. I suppose I'd feel differently if I wanted a "sport truck", which I have as well.

[Swar]

I typically like 2wd lowered trucks to be short beds, while 4wd higher riding trucks to be long bed. There are exceptions, of course.
Odd enough, though, my truck is an original short bed, but the previous owner at some point cut the frame and welded a new one on the back half, behind the cab.

[Maximus]

Originally Posted by Swar

I typically like 2wd lowered trucks to be short beds, while 4wd higher riding trucks to be long bed. There are exceptions, of course.
Odd enough, though, my truck is an original short bed, but the previous owner at some point cut the frame and welded a new one on the back half, behind the cab.

I wonder if your cab is an original swb cab but maybe your frame was not the original?

Anyways, its funny I actually love the look of the short 4x4's. - this is why I bought a K5 Blazer... If Shorbeds are 'cooler' than a longbed, then surely a SHORTER bed must be cooler than a shortbed! This is rock solid logic!

[birdkilla2k1]

I left my long-bed long for the same reason why I won't ever swap the I6 for a V8--originality.

[Swar]

Originally Posted by Maximus

I wonder if your cab is an original swb cab but maybe your frame was not the original?

Anyways, its funny I actually love the look of the short 4x4's. - this is why I bought a K5 Blazer... If Shorbeds are 'cooler' than a longbed, then surely a SHORTER bed must be cooler than a shortbed! This is rock solid logic!

Judging by the condition of the truck when I bought it, I doubt it was ever a frame off restoration. The cab bushings were almost gone when I got it. It had the 250 inline 6 and 3 speed on the column. Just a farm truck, originally bought new in Monticello, NY. My guess is the frame rotted out in the back, so they just welded a new one on. But yea, the outline of the short bed is perfection, IMO. But I do like 4wd long beds. Stock, with skinny tires looks good too.

[Maximus]

Originally Posted by Swar

Judging by the condition of the truck when I bought it, I doubt it was ever a frame off restoration. The cab bushings were almost gone when I got it. It had the 250 inline 6 and 3 speed on the column. Just a farm truck, originally bought new in Monticello, NY. My guess is the frame rotted out in the back, so they just welded a new one on. But yea, the outline of the short bed is perfection, IMO. But I do like 4wd long beds. Stock, with skinny tires looks good too.

I always forget that frames rot out. In cali, we get our share of rusted bodies, but i RARELY see a frame rusted. good call, its very possible that the rear was just repaired. Ya still got the I6/3OTT? Fun little combo.

Overall, I bet thousands of trucks have been dragged out of fields, just to convert down to a short bed and enjoy. those truck otherwise may still be sitting in that field, (or worse, end up in a pick-n-pull yard)
Every longbed that gets shortened may put one more truck back on our roads when it could have easily suffered a fate of rotting away or worse, being sold to China to become a new waffle maker, only to be resold back to us......

If it helps keep these trucks on the road and out of wrecking yards, I am all for it.

[Swar]

Originally Posted by Maximus

I always forget that frames rot out. In cali, we get our share of rusted bodies, but i RARELY see a frame rusted. good call, its very possible that the rear was just repaired. Ya still got the I6/3OTT? Fun little combo.

Overall, I bet thousands of trucks have been dragged out of fields, just to convert down to a short bed and enjoy. those truck otherwise may still be sitting in that field, (or worse, end up in a pick-n-pull yard)
Every longbed that gets shortened may put one more truck back on our roads when it could have easily suffered a fate of rotting away or worse, being sold to China to become a new waffle maker, only to be resold back to us......

If it helps keep these trucks on the road and out of wrecking yards, I am all for it.

Do I still have the I6/3OTT? Not exactly.
http://67-72chevytrucks.com/vboard/s...d.php?t=735807

[67ChevyRedneck]

Originally Posted by Maximus

Overall, I bet thousands of trucks have been dragged out of fields, just to convert down to a short bed and enjoy. those truck otherwise may still be sitting in that field, (or worse, end up in a pick-n-pull yard)
Every longbed that gets shortened may put one more truck back on our roads when it could have easily suffered a fate of rotting away or worse, being sold to China to become a new waffle maker, only to be resold back to us......

If it helps keep these trucks on the road and out of wrecking yards, I am all for it.

AMEN!

And as a side note.... Has ANYONE noticed the prices on good wagons now a days? It's freaking' nuts! For YEARS they were whored out, parted, and crushed to repair their two door cousins, now, there's hardly any left, and it's "cool" to drive an old wagon again, hence prices have gone nuts because there just aren't many anymore.

And I've been to Cali twice now... yes, you guys have it good!

[indymachinist]

IMO, long beds are ugly.

[66clow]

Here is my before and after. I hope that helps explain it. you can make long beds just as cool. For me they are sportier and easier to maneuver. I have no need for all that bed. Also was a whole lot cheaper to find and convert.

[hamjet]

Boy, it sounds like the long beds are the minority. most like short beds, many like the extra long longhorns, I'm sad, me and my poor old long bed....... LOL

[rsgt]

I think most people like what they get use to looking at. I like the proportions of the whole vehicle to look right. I like that the back of the cab is the center, the same distance to the front and the same distance to the rear on a long bed.

[Hubscrub]

I've had both like both, but would rather have a suburban. looking now

[72 tigger]

I like all of them- even the long steppers don't look bad to me- especially the K versions

[71CHEVYSHORTBED402]

Originally Posted by hamjet

Boy, it sounds like the long beds are the minority. most like short beds, many like the extra long longhorns, I'm sad, me and my poor old long bed....... LOL

Long beds are AWESOME dude. Sure I like my SWB, a lot. Sure they're more popular, & sure a SWB is worth twice the cash on some levels. But if you want a truck for a truck, LWB is the way to go. Especially a C20, IMO. Add top trim level, upgrades & 4x4 and that's cream of the crop. A beast to any "sport truck".

As looks go, give me a break.......A SWB just like this truck, for example, might look nicer.....but only by a pinch.

[special-K]

I'm a true 67-72 fanatic. Therefore, I like them all.




Over

[KQQL IT]

Originally Posted by special-K

I'm a true 67-72 fanatic. Therefore, I like them all.




Over

I am a square body guy that fell into the 67-72 trap

[Grumpy old man]

Nothing other than a 67 short bed ... all the rest are parts trucks !

[71CHEVYSHORTBED402]

Originally Posted by Grumpy old man

Nothing other than a 67 short bed ... all the rest are parts trucks !

Ha ha ha ha haaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaa!

[Boog]

We all have our favorites but the one thing we have in common is we are all here because we love our trucks. Well, except for one or two who I am not sure why they are here.
There are even songs about our love of trucks like this one by Glen Campbell.

https://www.bing.com/search?q=i+love...177eb966d5f239

[flashed]

I own 1 longbed , a 72 4x4 just recently bought it and love it ,if the upholstery shop would just finish my seat . I have a few shortbeds that I love too and then there is Ton ,my 72 Dually ,I love them all .