Update of shortening my bed.. - Page 2 - The 1947 - Present Chevrolet & GMC Truck Message Board Network

**BOSS** · 03-18-2006, 04:50 PM

what is the cleanest way to cut one?

82c10 · 03-18-2006, 09:08 PM

can you tell me where to cut it, i think i can get a bed for free to experiment on

fade94 · 03-19-2006, 09:50 AM

For the front cut, I measured 5 1/2 inches from the front edge of the bed. That puts the cut right next to the stake pocket. Then measure 12" from that point back. I used tape to mark the line and give a better cut. The rear section was a little more involved. The back of the bed slopes towards the front. So, mark the bed just forward of the rear stake pocket. Now measure from the front of the bed to that point. Once you have that, measure and mark the rest of the way down the side from the front of the bed. I cut mine where I did so that I could use the factory mounting points. The only bolts pulled were the very front, and very back. Provides a very stable work platform. Plus, no problems bolting the bed back on when I shorten the frame. Something to remember, use the same tape measure for the entire project. Not all tapes are created equal. I found out the hard way, but nothing I couldn't fix.
Once it's done, I will be doing a FAQ submission on doing the bed.
Thanks for all the positive remarks.

72-stomper · 03-19-2006, 10:37 AM

Thanks....Ill have to scan and post...Shes quite a bit further along in resto since that photo...

**BOSS** · 03-19-2006, 10:46 AM

What did you use to cut it?they look very clean.

krue · 03-19-2006, 01:49 PM

Looks good, can't wait to see the finished FAQ submission.

fade94 · 03-20-2006, 08:58 AM

I used a cut-off wheel on my skill saw. Use the biggest saw you can get a hold of. Mine is only a 7 1/4 and I had trouble cutting thru both layes of steel. The biggest issue I have run into, is that the front of my bed is warped towards the cab. As soon as I cut it loose, the took the shape of the bend. Making lining the sides back up a pain in the @$$. Worked on it most of the day Sat and Sun and only have the drivers side tacked. It really helped having my son there to pull the pieces into shape while I tacked them.

RCbowtie69 · 03-20-2006, 09:38 PM

looks great,heck of a job, lot of work went into the bed

86swb · 03-21-2006, 01:31 AM

Great job on the cut. Myself, I perfer the short beds over long beds.

69face · 03-26-2006, 11:39 PM

so how much did you take off all together? sorry if i miss the rear measurements! the difference is bed lenths is 2ft right? just making sure i don't do it wrong. thanks!

fade94 · 03-27-2006, 08:56 AM

12" out of the front section, 8" out of the rear section. I measured a board members short wide on Thur. and all the measurements are the same. Will be posting latest pics this morning.

big dump · 04-06-2006, 11:14 AM

I live in AZ and just bought a 69 C10 longbed that I plan on shortening. I disagree with the availability of shortbeds. I've been looking for 2 years and you can't buy a shorty for less than 3k running or not. Fade, did you have any problems with the top rear body line on the bed matching up? How much wheelbase did you shorten overall? Keep up the good work!

red71cheyenne · 04-06-2006, 01:16 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by 72-stomper

Heres my shortened box finished in BLACK

Holy cow! That is really short. How much did you take off the bed for that?

big dump · 04-12-2006, 07:15 PM

72 Stomper,

How much did you take out of your bed? It looks really short from that view.

jimmydean · 04-12-2006, 07:41 PM

Classic trucks mag did a bed chop on a 60-66. But the body lines are straight on those. When I photochopped mine, it looked like the way the body line drops in the rear wouldn't match up right. Did you have to do any body work to get the slope of the line to line up?

Looks great. I have thought about doing it as well, but there are times a long bed is nice to have since I do haul with mine.

fade94 · 04-19-2006, 11:04 AM

More pics. I redid the body work on this section 3 times until I was happy with it. I have done welding all my life, but not actual body work with body filler. I ended up replacing the pass side bedside with a used one I did some swapping for. ** WORD OF ADVISE HERE ** If you front bed panel is bowed, it WILL pull in on the bed sides. I spent all of my time making the dr side perfect and did not keep an eye on the pass side. As a result, the bow in the front panel put a wicked strain on the pass side causing a severe bow. I can fix it, but opted to put the bed side on instead. By the way, the bolt holes lines up exactly due to the way I did the cut. In the pictures below, you can see the body work primed. I still need to do some finish sanding, but the front cut is basically done. I have not done anything on the rear cut until I get the wheel arch patch panel done. I jut got it and will be doing it this week. It is turning out really nice. I would have done some things different in hindsight... I will put all info in an FAQ when I'm done. I have stripped the bondo off of the replacement bedside only to find out it had "popped" in and filled with bondo. I "popped" it out and all is good. Just a few dents and I have already filled the stake pockets and the side marker light hole.

fade94 · 04-20-2006, 01:20 PM

ttt

ABHaulR · 04-22-2006, 12:01 AM

keep us posted, i just got a 68 lwb that i will be shorting myself.
Dwayne

68GenIII · 04-23-2006, 07:14 PM

So I have a question. I am about to tackle this task myself, what happens with the rear cut. The body line slopes down and the bottom slopes up. When the section is removed how do they line up?

*72CSTC5* · 04-23-2006, 07:23 PM

Looking good, I was expecting more bodywork from that front cut but you kept it to a minimal. Nice job.

fade94 · 04-24-2006, 01:07 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by 68GenIII

So I have a question. I am about to tackle this task myself, what happens with the rear cut. The body line slopes down and the bottom slopes up. When the section is removed how do they line up?

It's hard to describe, but I'll try. When you mate the cut section back up with the center section, you are right, the section BELOW the body line is not exact. However, with patience and help by someone pulling a pushing, the pieces can be welded together. When they combine, they pull each other enough to line up. Once they are welded, you will then need to trim the "over hang" of the center section to match the rear section. I don't have a picture on this computer to post. I will take pics soon as I can and post.

68GenIII · 04-24-2006, 07:06 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by fade94

It's hard to describe, but I'll try. When you mate the cut section back up with the center section, you are right, the section BELOW the body line is not exact. However, with patience and help by someone pulling a pushing, the pieces can be welded together. When they combine, they pull each other enough to line up. Once they are welded, you will then need to trim the "over hang" of the center section to match the rear section. I don't have a picture on this computer to post. I will take pics soon as I can and post.

Thanks for the reply. I understand a little better now. I picture would be great but dont kill your self. Thanks again!

67-72trucks · 06-24-2006, 08:40 PM

How many inches do you cut out? Front of box? back of box?

Thanks

67-72trucks · 06-24-2006, 08:48 PM

figured it out thanks

QKENUF4U · 06-24-2006, 09:19 PM

very nice work guys but sure makes me happy to already have my shortbed and i was able to find another (thanks wayne/shawn) that was already the way i would have done mine. (my old one is spoken for by wayne)
STOMPER that truck is killer. looks sweet.

03-18-2006, 04:50 PM	#26
BOSS Just here to help Join Date: Jan 2002 Location: Norwood,Mo Posts: 3,890	Re: Update of shortening my bed.. what is the cleanest way to cut one? __________________ Support our site Norwood Survivor

03-18-2006, 09:08 PM	#27
82c10 needin' money Join Date: May 2005 Location: Chickasha, Oklahoma Posts: 1,106	Re: Update of shortening my bed.. can you tell me where to cut it, i think i can get a bed for free to experiment on __________________ *SWB Stands for Short Wide Bed*

03-19-2006, 09:50 AM	#28
fade94 Registered User Join Date: Mar 2005 Location: Melissa, TX Posts: 799	Re: Update of shortening my bed.. For the front cut, I measured 5 1/2 inches from the front edge of the bed. That puts the cut right next to the stake pocket. Then measure 12" from that point back. I used tape to mark the line and give a better cut. The rear section was a little more involved. The back of the bed slopes towards the front. So, mark the bed just forward of the rear stake pocket. Now measure from the front of the bed to that point. Once you have that, measure and mark the rest of the way down the side from the front of the bed. I cut mine where I did so that I could use the factory mounting points. The only bolts pulled were the very front, and very back. Provides a very stable work platform. Plus, no problems bolting the bed back on when I shorten the frame. Something to remember, use the same tape measure for the entire project. Not all tapes are created equal. I found out the hard way, but nothing I couldn't fix. Once it's done, I will be doing a FAQ submission on doing the bed. Thanks for all the positive remarks. __________________ 68 short bed driver (71 clip on it now, swapping to 68 when weather cooperates) 67 short step project (will get SWB from the 68) 67 Camaro, #'s matching (my wife's) 03 Dodge Ram 2500 4x4 diesel 5 speed 4.10 rear

03-19-2006, 10:37 AM	#29
72-stomper Registered User Join Date: Nov 2005 Location: wisconsin Posts: 142	Re: Update of shortening my bed.. Thanks....Ill have to scan and post...Shes quite a bit further along in resto since that photo...

03-19-2006, 10:46 AM	#30
BOSS Just here to help Join Date: Jan 2002 Location: Norwood,Mo Posts: 3,890	Re: Update of shortening my bed.. What did you use to cut it?they look very clean. __________________ Support our site Norwood Survivor

03-19-2006, 01:49 PM	#31
krue Designated A-hole! Join Date: Mar 2003 Location: South Mississippi Posts: 36,448	Re: Update of shortening my bed.. Looks good, can't wait to see the finished FAQ submission. __________________ "If it ain't broke, fix it 'til it is!" Being stupid ain't illegal. We're Still Debt Free Except for the House!!! www.daveramsey.com 70 GMC SWB Stepside project "Green Booger" soon to be 6.0l/4l80e 93 S-10 "Poppaw's Truck"

03-20-2006, 08:58 AM	#32
fade94 Registered User Join Date: Mar 2005 Location: Melissa, TX Posts: 799	Re: Update of shortening my bed.. I used a cut-off wheel on my skill saw. Use the biggest saw you can get a hold of. Mine is only a 7 1/4 and I had trouble cutting thru both layes of steel. The biggest issue I have run into, is that the front of my bed is warped towards the cab. As soon as I cut it loose, the took the shape of the bend. Making lining the sides back up a pain in the @$$. Worked on it most of the day Sat and Sun and only have the drivers side tacked. It really helped having my son there to pull the pieces into shape while I tacked them. __________________ 68 short bed driver (71 clip on it now, swapping to 68 when weather cooperates) 67 short step project (will get SWB from the 68) 67 Camaro, #'s matching (my wife's) 03 Dodge Ram 2500 4x4 diesel 5 speed 4.10 rear

03-20-2006, 09:38 PM	#33
RCbowtie69 Registered User Join Date: Dec 2003 Location: Thomasville, NC Posts: 1,877	Re: Update of shortening my bed.. looks great,heck of a job, lot of work went into the bed Last edited by RCbowtie69; 03-20-2006 at 09:40 PM.

03-21-2006, 01:31 AM	#34
86swb Born a Chevy Man Join Date: Apr 2005 Location: Navarre, Florida Posts: 10,221	Re: Update of shortening my bed.. Great job on the cut. Myself, I perfer the short beds over long beds. __________________ John or 86 (Viet Nam combat Vet-BIG RED ONE) '65-'66 1986 Chevy SWB Silverado 1984 Chevy Longbed Silverado New Kia Sportage (Wife's car and she loves it) CHEVY, American made w/pride! If you can read this, YOU NEED TO THANK A TEACHER! If you can read this in ENGLISH, PLEASE THANK A SOLDIER! GOD BLESS AMERICA AND BLESS OUR FIGHTING TROOPS

03-26-2006, 11:39 PM	#35
69face Registered User Join Date: Feb 2006 Location: northridge Posts: 534	Re: Update of shortening my bed.. so how much did you take off all together? sorry if i miss the rear measurements! the difference is bed lenths is 2ft right? just making sure i don't do it wrong. thanks!

03-27-2006, 08:56 AM	#36
fade94 Registered User Join Date: Mar 2005 Location: Melissa, TX Posts: 799	Re: Update of shortening my bed.. 12" out of the front section, 8" out of the rear section. I measured a board members short wide on Thur. and all the measurements are the same. Will be posting latest pics this morning. __________________ 68 short bed driver (71 clip on it now, swapping to 68 when weather cooperates) 67 short step project (will get SWB from the 68) 67 Camaro, #'s matching (my wife's) 03 Dodge Ram 2500 4x4 diesel 5 speed 4.10 rear

04-06-2006, 11:14 AM	#37
big dump Registered User Join Date: Mar 2006 Location: Gilbert, AZ Posts: 179	Re: Update of shortening my bed.. I live in AZ and just bought a 69 C10 longbed that I plan on shortening. I disagree with the availability of shortbeds. I've been looking for 2 years and you can't buy a shorty for less than 3k running or not. Fade, did you have any problems with the top rear body line on the bed matching up? How much wheelbase did you shorten overall? Keep up the good work! Last edited by big dump; 04-06-2006 at 11:16 AM.

04-12-2006, 07:15 PM	#39
big dump Registered User Join Date: Mar 2006 Location: Gilbert, AZ Posts: 179	Re: Update of shortening my bed.. 72 Stomper, How much did you take out of your bed? It looks really short from that view.

04-12-2006, 07:41 PM	#40
jimmydean Registered User Join Date: May 2005 Location: Beaverton, OR Posts: 3,728	Re: Update of shortening my bed.. Classic trucks mag did a bed chop on a 60-66. But the body lines are straight on those. When I photochopped mine, it looked like the way the body line drops in the rear wouldn't match up right. Did you have to do any body work to get the slope of the line to line up? Looks great. I have thought about doing it as well, but there are times a long bed is nice to have since I do haul with mine.

04-19-2006, 11:04 AM	#41
fade94 Registered User Join Date: Mar 2005 Location: Melissa, TX Posts: 799	Re: Update of shortening my bed.. More pics. I redid the body work on this section 3 times until I was happy with it. I have done welding all my life, but not actual body work with body filler. I ended up replacing the pass side bedside with a used one I did some swapping for. WORD OF ADVISE HERE If you front bed panel is bowed, it WILL pull in on the bed sides. I spent all of my time making the dr side perfect and did not keep an eye on the pass side. As a result, the bow in the front panel put a wicked strain on the pass side causing a severe bow. I can fix it, but opted to put the bed side on instead. By the way, the bolt holes lines up exactly due to the way I did the cut. In the pictures below, you can see the body work primed. I still need to do some finish sanding, but the front cut is basically done. I have not done anything on the rear cut until I get the wheel arch patch panel done. I jut got it and will be doing it this week. It is turning out really nice. I would have done some things different in hindsight... I will put all info in an FAQ when I'm done. I have stripped the bondo off of the replacement bedside only to find out it had "popped" in and filled with bondo. I "popped" it out and all is good. Just a few dents and I have already filled the stake pockets and the side marker light hole. Attached Images __________________ 68 short bed driver (71 clip on it now, swapping to 68 when weather cooperates) 67 short step project (will get SWB from the 68) 67 Camaro, #'s matching (my wife's) 03 Dodge Ram 2500 4x4 diesel 5 speed 4.10 rear



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04-20-2006, 01:20 PM	#42
fade94 Registered User Join Date: Mar 2005 Location: Melissa, TX Posts: 799	Re: Update of shortening my bed.. ttt __________________ 68 short bed driver (71 clip on it now, swapping to 68 when weather cooperates) 67 short step project (will get SWB from the 68) 67 Camaro, #'s matching (my wife's) 03 Dodge Ram 2500 4x4 diesel 5 speed 4.10 rear

04-22-2006, 12:01 AM	#43
ABHaulR Registered User Join Date: Jun 2003 Location: West Valley City, Ut Posts: 311	Re: Update of shortening my bed.. keep us posted, i just got a 68 lwb that i will be shorting myself. Dwayne __________________ 72' GMC Suburban 10 1/2" of Lift, 40" Tires! Waiting for restoration 67' Chevy, What to do??? And Bad Ass American Bulldogs!

04-23-2006, 07:14 PM	#44
68GenIII Registered User Join Date: Apr 2006 Location: Fort Walton Beach, FL Posts: 257	Re: Update of shortening my bed.. So I have a question. I am about to tackle this task myself, what happens with the rear cut. The body line slopes down and the bottom slopes up. When the section is removed how do they line up?

04-23-2006, 07:23 PM	#45
72CSTC5 Account Suspended Join Date: Nov 2004 Location: Deer Park, Tx. Posts: 2,522	Re: Update of shortening my bed.. Looking good, I was expecting more bodywork from that front cut but you kept it to a minimal. Nice job.

06-24-2006, 08:40 PM	#48
67-72trucks Registered User Join Date: Jun 2006 Location: Michigan Posts: 530	Re: Update of shortening my bed.. How many inches do you cut out? Front of box? back of box? Thanks

06-24-2006, 08:48 PM	#49
67-72trucks Registered User Join Date: Jun 2006 Location: Michigan Posts: 530	Re: Update of shortening my bed.. figured it out thanks

06-24-2006, 09:19 PM	#50
QKENUF4U Senior Member Join Date: Jan 2005 Location: SUNNY WARM BIKE RIDING COTTONWOOD ARIZONA Posts: 2,097	Re: Update of shortening my bed.. very nice work guys but sure makes me happy to already have my shortbed and i was able to find another (thanks wayne/shawn) that was already the way i would have done mine. (my old one is spoken for by wayne) STOMPER that truck is killer. looks sweet.

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