Longbed-Shortbed Conversion

[nekkidhillbilly]

like the op said it doesnt to make a short bed look good. so to me make a longbed look good you have accomplished something and stayed out of the norm cookie cutter. you get the same thing with a body gms. 10 chevelles for one skylark or cutlass. that said ppl will forget about the chevelle when a nice skylark is setting beside it cause it stands out.

[slimneverdies]

I have a 78 C20 crew cab long bed that I want to make a short bed. I've seen many ways to do it on here and 67-72chevy but I'm curious as to why hasn't anyone just cut 20" off the rear of the frame instead of messing around splicing the frame? All I would have to do then is make new holes for the rear bed mounts and setup my 4 link to square the rear end, unless I'm missing something. Is this for guys who want to just move the rear suspension forward or is the frame not long enough in the rear with a straight shot to relocate the rear bed mounts?

[slimneverdies]

Originally Posted by slimneverdies

I have a 78 C20 crew cab long bed that I want to make a short bed. I've seen many ways to do it on here and 67-72chevy but I'm curious as to why hasn't anyone just cut 20" off the rear of the frame instead of messing around splicing the frame? All I would have to do then is make new holes for the rear bed mounts and setup my 4 link to square the rear end, unless I'm missing something. Is this for guys who want to just move the rear suspension forward or is the frame not long enough in the rear with a straight shot to relocate the rear bed mounts?

This was actually a question. Any help would be appreciated

Slim

[BONUSCAB]

This guy knows that's up...

http://www.ebay.com/itm/1983-chevy-K...p2047675.l2557

[bigd65]

I personally like the LWB, they look sleeker going down the road... As was said, if they are set right...

[Jonboy]

There was a truck on here that was done that way, IIRC. You might be able to get away with it on a 1/2 ton, but on my 3/4 ton the height of the rails makes me think it might be a limiting factor, unless you cut off some of the height of the rail. At that point, it might just be easier to section them.

[slimneverdies]

Originally Posted by Jonboy

There was a truck on here that was done that way, IIRC. You might be able to get away with it on a 1/2 ton, but on my 3/4 ton the height of the rails makes me think it might be a limiting factor, unless you cut off some of the height of the rail. At that point, it might just be easier to section them.

That's what I was thinking too. I'm trying to figure it all out with the bed still attached. Well I guess there's no other way around it. Sectioning it from the middle definitely will take so more time removing/relocating gas tanks and all

Thanks much

[jitteryguy]

Originally Posted by slimneverdies

That's what I was thinking too. I'm trying to figure it all out with the bed still attached. Well I guess there's no other way around it. Sectioning it from the middle definitely will take so more time removing/relocating gas tanks and all

Thanks much

you will have to use 16 gal tanks (SWB), 20 gal (LWB) will not fit, it can all be done in a day if you have everything lined up. the drive shaft would be the only issue, most have there cut done. On mine I went from 1ton to half ton so I need'd a new shaft. I discover'd that front half from a late '80 Suburban and a mid '80's Delta 88 work out to be the perfect length .

[slimneverdies]

Originally Posted by jitteryguy

you will have to use 16 gal tanks (SWB), 20 gal (LWB) will not fit, it can all be done in a day if you have everything lined up. the drive shaft would be the only issue, most have there cut done. On mine I went from 1ton to half ton so I need'd a new shaft. I discover'd that front half from a late '80 Suburban and a mid '80's Delta 88 work out to be the perfect length .

I may just use the aluminum 18 gallon fuel cell that I have. The drive shaft may need to be new cause I just found a cheap 700r4 that I'm going to throw in there

[Jonboy]

You will have to drill the holes for the rear gas tank mounts too. I used the sections of frame that were cut out as a fishplate and sleeve and it worked out pretty slick, too.

[slimneverdies]

Originally Posted by Jonboy

You will have to drill the holes for the rear gas tank mounts too. I used the sections of frame that were cut out as a fishplate and sleeve and it worked out pretty slick, too.

Do you have any pics of your setup ??

Slim