68 LONG BED to SB Fleet

[72BlckButy]

Originally Posted by lolife99

This place is a wealth of information,... and your build proves it!
For having never done this before,... you did an excellent job.
Keep the updates coming.

Now don't be getting any more ideas....

Awesome work!!!!

[blakeaz33]

I got it back together this weekend - I got a couple of pictures before my old camera gave up on me. I also put on some new exhaust - the old exhaust had the original down pipe hanging off the stripped out studs on the manifold to the muffler that was positioned so it vibrated on the frame directly underneath the cab - now it doesn't sound so much like a tractor with 15 exhuast leaks. Amazing the difference new exhaust can make, I got this from Wes at Classic Heartbeat and he is a class act - I highly recommend if you haven't dealt with him. I was originally going to change out the six but now I'm keeping it - had to put a little into it to get it past emissions here in AZ. It is running so well now it doesn't make sense to change it. I have a 73+ crossmember with discs and power steering so that is the next step and I'm shopping for strong arms and air. Kind of like a green zebra until I get some green over the stripes - here is a before and after.

[67ChevyRedneck]

That came out really nice!

[Puropedo]

blakeaz33, did u have any issues with the cab/bed alignment on your truck?
Im pretty sure u had to shim up the rear of the cab in order to align the
lines of the body.

[VA72C10]

Looks good and you got it completed quickly as well!

[blakeaz33]

Appreciate the positive feedback. I didn't have any issues with the cab alignment, took careful measurements and used a square and level when I relocated the rear cab mount - I also installed new urethane body mounts. There is a little play right left and back forward with the cab before tightening the bolts and moved it around until I got it where I wanted it. I've put about 500 miles on it since the change and am happy with it.

[VA72C10]

Between the wheelbase and bed change and removal of that extra large bumper, you practically cut it in half

The sport bumper does a lot to help the look as well.

[blakeaz33]

Originally Posted by VA72C10

Between the wheelbase and bed change and removal of that extra large bumper, you practically cut it in half

The sport bumper does a lot to help the look as well.

I agree with you - the old bumper added about a foot to the overall length and 150 lbs to the curb wt. Who ever built the brackets for that thing was into overkill to say the least.

[lolife99]

You are VERY motivating!
Great job.

[72BlckButy]

blakeaz33, that turned out great!

[sourkraut]

good job! turned out nice!

[STOCKISH]

Very nice work. Turned out great.

[6T8]

Looks nice. I shortened a LWB 4x4 and I believe I didn't have to remove cab mounts. No cross member in the way. Cuts were under bed. It was about 10 yrs ago. Can hardly remember yesterday LOL

[truckmanloco]

Great job bud. probably makes alot of people look at longbeds as pontential swb projects now.

[yellowGT]

blakeaz33- what are the measurements between the red lines? ive come across a deal for a long bed floor and I will have the cut it to fit a short bed. I know the measurements you have are from the stake pockets, I just need them from the floor edges. You have those measurements?

[67ChevyRedneck]

Originally Posted by blakeaz33

I agree with you - the old bumper added about a foot to the overall length and 150 lbs to the curb wt. Who ever built the brackets for that thing was into overkill to say the least.

I think it was because back in the day they didn't have the hitch receivers we have today, so the bumper had to be extra beefy to haul heavy loads with the ball on the bumper. Now we use hitch receivers. I wouldn't dare put a ball on my '00 Silverado's somewhat flimsy rear bumper, but I hook my boat up to the hitch.

My 67 came with a big heavy ugly rear bumper too... and it had a ball on it that looked to be pretty well used.

[blakeaz33]

Originally Posted by yellowGT

blakeaz33- what are the measurements between the red lines? ive come across a deal for a long bed floor and I will have the cut it to fit a short bed. I know the measurements you have are from the stake pockets, I just need them from the floor edges. You have those measurements?

The rear measurement on mine is 11.5" and the forward measurement from the cut to the front edge of the bedfloor is 12.75" - hope that helps.

[blakeaz33]

Originally Posted by 67ChevyRedneck

I think it was because back in the day they didn't have the hitch receivers we have today, so the bumper had to be extra beefy to haul heavy loads with the ball on the bumper. Now we use hitch receivers. I wouldn't dare put a ball on my '00 Silverado's somewhat flimsy rear bumper, but I hook my boat up to the hitch.

My 67 came with a big heavy ugly rear bumper too... and it had a ball on it that looked to be pretty well used.

I believe you're right - that bumper had been on there for a long time, problably since new. I'm switching to a receiver also so I can pull a car trailer. All the weight that came off with the bumber, bed, and frame really raised the truck up some.

[Mike Bradbury]

Once again a great thread to follow. I will be doing the same to my LWB soon, followed the Low Buck thread to the end, it is inspirational to see someone else have success at the same project. Actually I will be doing a complete conversion from the big C20 to a sporty C10.
Great job on the progress so far can't wait to see it dropped!
I bought my truck from the original owner and it is as straight as can be. Also had a camper shell on since 1970, the bed is perfect and should make for a good project. Sorry Thirdstreet I know you guys love the longbeds and I like them as well, it has come in handy for some work projects around the house and I do like the look of lowered longs but I like the shortys better.

[yellowGT]

Originally Posted by blakeaz33

The rear measurement on mine is 11.5" and the forward measurement from the cut to the front edge of the bedfloor is 12.75" - hope that helps.

Here is a better pic of what measurements i need. I need the measurements from tubs to cut and edges to cut and that will give me the amount that i need to knock off.

[yellowGT]

Thats sweet how some of you guys just make eveything look so easy. I should do ok if you only use a hobart mig welder cause thats what i have. I wont be welding frame cause mine is short already i just welding a floor.

[blakeaz33]

Originally Posted by yellowGT

Here is a better pic of what measurements i need. I need the measurements from tubs to cut and edges to cut and that will give me the amount that i need to knock off.

Here are all 4 mesurements off mine:

front of bed floor to cut is 12.75"
cut to front of wheel tub is 8.5"

back of tub to rear cut is 5.625"
cut to the tailgate is 11.5"

This is where mine ended up and the bolt placement floor to bedsides appears as a short bed (measurements off lowbuck build) When you lay out the meaurement for the cuts I would just check the bedfloor supports underneath and bolt placement on the bed sides so they end up where you want them. Make sure to give us some pictures.

[blakeaz33]

Originally Posted by Mike Bradbury

Once again a great thread to follow. I will be doing the same to my LWB soon, followed the Low Buck thread to the end, it is inspirational to see someone else have success at the same project. Actually I will be doing a complete conversion from the big C20 to a sporty C10.
Great job on the progress so far can't wait to see it dropped!
I bought my truck from the original owner and it is as straight as can be. Also had a camper shell on since 1970, the bed is perfect and should make for a good project. Sorry Thirdstreet I know you guys love the longbeds and I like them as well, it has come in handy for some work projects around the house and I do like the look of lowered longs but I like the shortys better.

Thanks Mike - That is a great looking truck - appears original and very straight! I used to live in San Diego about 18 yrs ago and was always impressed then with the condition of the unrestored local trucks and muscle cars. Looking forward to seeing your progress, I'm having a great time with mine. I think if it is a C20 it has rear leaf springs - are you planning on converting over to coils? I had a small section of rust in the original fender well on the passenger side below the battery tray that I fixed yesterday and spent some time with a hammer and dolly on a football sized dent someone made with a hammer at some point to work on the heater box. I had been looking for a new one locally but everything I came across was in worse shape than mine - going to take them to get powder coated this week along with some other small parts.

[ufricka]

?? Where will you cut the frame???

[67ChevyRedneck]

Originally Posted by ufricka

?? Where will you cut the frame???

Here's a good FAQ on frame shortening:

http://67-72chevytrucks.com/vboard/s...d.php?t=123624

Welcome to the board!