My new 71 shorty bed - The 1947 - Present Chevrolet & GMC Truck Message Board Network

2bits · 12-23-2006, 02:26 AM

I saw this truck by accident and everyone told me not to buy it, and when I went to see it I thought it was cool as hell but had my doubts too, especially since there was no carb and the interior was shot too, but for a grand I was willing to think about it. I ended up bringing up my own carb to the lot and worked for two hours trying to get it run, finally when we replaced the spark plugs (with nasty old rusty ones from a blown engine sitting out back) it started right up! I knocked him down $100 and he threw in a free $150 tow to my house an hour away. So I just tuned it up and changed the oil and it runs great now, I took it for it's first drive to get the exhaust finished out this morning and I found out the rear end is tight as hell. It that has been changed from coil to leaf spring and moved up a foot, the bed is cut short also which looks cool, but I am bouncing around like a fool, and I can't deal with it because honestly, I am going to get spine damage. I am thinking the shocks are the wrong angle or rusted and siezed because they don't move and I am going to disconnect them Sunday. I hope it will send me in a direction, otherwise, I am going to assume the idea is conceptual and I will be looking for ideas on what to do as far as redesigning the way the rear end is set up from scratch. From the cab forward, the truck is great, no rust and the drivetrain is solid. I am going to gut the interior, paint the inner cab black, and reinstall a new seat, dash and carpet Sunday as well. I like the way the truck looks... I hope that even if the last guy rigged it wrong, and I can rig it right and make it good.

http://www.grossepointegothic.com/71stepside/

Tommy

poorboy · 12-23-2006, 02:34 AM

Looks like the shocks might be bottomed out.

69-350 · 12-23-2006, 02:43 AM

neat, but is it just me, or does that look just goofy for some reason(s)? what exactly did they do with the bed, there? I've seen some retarded things in my life, and this doesn't even come close to some, though, so it ain't that bad.

Brad · 12-23-2006, 05:45 AM

The bed is interesting. It doesn't look bad to me and it'll look a whole lot better once it's completed.

You're feeling bad vibrations because you have no rear springs!! Any idea why they're not there?

Okay, upon closer inspection I see what's going on. They moved the rear axle forward and took out the springs entirely! They fabbed up the shocks to take the place of springs which can't be done. However, assuming the welds are good and solid and the geometry is ok, you might consider coilover shocks which might solve your issues. My recommendation is to get someone qualified to look over your confabulation because right now it looks rather dangerous.

72armyswbtruck · 12-23-2006, 06:04 AM

Wow, that is one interesting looking truck, definately not ever seen one shortened like that before.
Good buy with the front clip and as lon as the rockers and cab aren't shot.

see ten · 12-23-2006, 08:06 AM

Nope he has springs! I thought he didn't as well but in one of the other shots you can see the leafs on the outside of the frame rails. You can also see the trailing arm crossmember still in place. It's a curious little combination, almost looks like someone put a truck on a 2wd Blazer frame. Either way if the cab is truly rust free you stole it for a grand. If it's a Blazer frame I think I would sell the cab and slap a Blazer tub on there! Good luck and welcome to the board!

Sweet72 · 12-23-2006, 09:34 AM

Looks like there isn't much suspension travel, kind of hard to tell with the angle the pics were taken at. I'd swear maybe 3-4" max! The frame rails are either pounded out from contact with the axle tube or they've been modified. With some work you will have a nice little pickup. What you've done so far on the engine looks good...

**Yukon Jack** · 12-23-2006, 09:49 AM

Any idea what the leaf springs might be from? Doesn't look like they could let the frame move much before you get metal to metal contact. Good luck with the truck and welcome to the board!

Rokcrln · 12-23-2006, 10:30 AM

Is the axel centered in the springs or did they just move the axel forward as well and it is now not centered? This will cause a terible ride and is not safe if the axel is not locked on teh centering pin. Also how about a pic that is dead on from the side so we can see just how short this truck is!

Kevin
LFD Inc.

Dano69c10 · 12-23-2006, 10:48 AM

I like it! Good deal! Just fix that rear suspension before something not so good happens, it's dangerous. If you need parts check out the board, someone can get you hooked up with the right parts.
Dano
Safety First!

QKENUF4U · 12-23-2006, 10:54 AM

hell i would have bought it just for the good sheet metal.

msgross · 12-23-2006, 11:05 AM

looks like the fabbed (used loosely) shock mounts are bending up. That would indicate that they are bottoming out and pounding the crap out of that axle. I would ditch the bed, have a 4 link welded in and find another short bed and put it looking stock. Can't beat the price if it's running but it doesn't look safe to me.

whatnow123 · 12-23-2006, 01:39 PM

Hum.. anyone else notice two different engines pics?

msgross · 12-23-2006, 02:10 PM

looks like the first was at the lot and second was after he got it home and dressed her up a little...

PanelDeland · 12-23-2006, 06:45 PM

I think the right fix was mentioned.Either cut it off behind the cab and do a coil over with 4 link and use that bed or go to another short bed.

poorboy · 12-23-2006, 06:54 PM

If you look close only the front of the engine was repainted. It's still blue by the headers. Don't get us wrong 2bits you have the start of a nice project on your hands.

AesC10s · 12-23-2006, 07:13 PM

Looks like the cab or the bed is not on strait. look at the back of the cab and front panel on the bed.

poorboy · 12-23-2006, 07:25 PM

I like the old school tach.

RMATTZZ4 · 12-24-2006, 02:01 AM

Looks like a standard shortbed frame which has been wrecked. Looking at the pics the frame rails bend inward right where the coil spings should mount. The p.o. prolly didn't have the money to fix it right so converting to leafs and moving the rear suspension up to where the frame was still straight was his fix. Stiill I would have given a grand for it just for the cab and front clip.

corn · 12-24-2006, 02:57 AM

move the shocks up to the studs that are further ahead. they look bottomed where they are & the studs look very weak the way they were installed...

va_tlc · 12-24-2006, 04:16 AM

looks cool. and you didnt have to add on to the garage. id have bought that for the unqies of it

7387chevys · 12-28-2006, 11:19 PM

Looks lie truck body on blazer fram with si\ome tuning and getting the suspension issue took care of it should handle like a dream
nice lil truck
Shane

*72lb4x4* · 12-28-2006, 11:34 PM

I saw a 69 shortbed frame on the Dallas Craigslist a few days ago if you want to go that route. The lowering work looks a bit iffy on that 71... Here's a link.

http://dallas.craigslist.org/pts/254023329.html

**LockDoc** · 12-28-2006, 11:49 PM

-
I wouldn't think the shocks would work at all laying back at that much angle.....

LockDoc

68shortfleet · 12-29-2006, 12:43 AM

I think that you have a longbed coilspring frame with a short-short bed. Looking at the pics, the crossmember that is near the rear differential should be in front of the rear differential(still has the OE shock mounts hanging down). Also look at the distance from the axle to the OE trailing arm mounting holes(can we get a measurement). Looks like a longbed frame that did not get shortened properly in the center under the cab. Instead they moved the axle forward(loosing suspension travel due to frame height) and just cut the very back of the frame off.

Anybody else see this??

Jason

12-23-2006, 02:26 AM	#1
2bits Registered User Join Date: Jan 2006 Location: Dallas Posts: 504	My new 71 shorty bed I saw this truck by accident and everyone told me not to buy it, and when I went to see it I thought it was cool as hell but had my doubts too, especially since there was no carb and the interior was shot too, but for a grand I was willing to think about it. I ended up bringing up my own carb to the lot and worked for two hours trying to get it run, finally when we replaced the spark plugs (with nasty old rusty ones from a blown engine sitting out back) it started right up! I knocked him down $100 and he threw in a free $150 tow to my house an hour away. So I just tuned it up and changed the oil and it runs great now, I took it for it's first drive to get the exhaust finished out this morning and I found out the rear end is tight as hell. It that has been changed from coil to leaf spring and moved up a foot, the bed is cut short also which looks cool, but I am bouncing around like a fool, and I can't deal with it because honestly, I am going to get spine damage. I am thinking the shocks are the wrong angle or rusted and siezed because they don't move and I am going to disconnect them Sunday. I hope it will send me in a direction, otherwise, I am going to assume the idea is conceptual and I will be looking for ideas on what to do as far as redesigning the way the rear end is set up from scratch. From the cab forward, the truck is great, no rust and the drivetrain is solid. I am going to gut the interior, paint the inner cab black, and reinstall a new seat, dash and carpet Sunday as well. I like the way the truck looks... I hope that even if the last guy rigged it wrong, and I can rig it right and make it good. http://www.grossepointegothic.com/71stepside/ Tommy

12-23-2006, 02:34 AM	#2
poorboy Senior Member Join Date: Jun 2006 Location: Oregon City, Or Posts: 758	Re: My new 71 shorty bed Looks like the shocks might be bottomed out.

12-23-2006, 02:43 AM	#3
69-350 Oil trash and damn proud of it Join Date: Aug 2005 Location: Williston, ND Posts: 1,993	Re: My new 71 shorty bed neat, but is it just me, or does that look just goofy for some reason(s)? what exactly did they do with the bed, there? I've seen some retarded things in my life, and this doesn't even come close to some, though, so it ain't that bad. __________________ Mark 1997 K1500 Z71, 14 bolt SF 3.73 posi, Bright Blue Metallic. 6" Superlift 1972 C-10, toolbox, p/s, 350/TH350/3.73 open, black int., bronze 2008 Dodge MegaCab. H&S tuned 6.7 Cummins. Fast Four Tons Some of my pics http://s107.photobucket.com/albums/m294/69-350/

12-23-2006, 05:45 AM	#4
Brad Out of the carpool lane. Join Date: Jan 2000 Location: Clark Co, WA Posts: 5,673	Re: My new 71 shorty bed The bed is interesting. It doesn't look bad to me and it'll look a whole lot better once it's completed. You're feeling bad vibrations because you have no rear springs!! Any idea why they're not there? Okay, upon closer inspection I see what's going on. They moved the rear axle forward and took out the springs entirely! They fabbed up the shocks to take the place of springs which can't be done. However, assuming the welds are good and solid and the geometry is ok, you might consider coilover shocks which might solve your issues. My recommendation is to get someone qualified to look over your confabulation because right now it looks rather dangerous. __________________ 1968 C-10 SWB, 5.7 Vortec/700R4/3.73 posi, Torch Red 1968 Camaro, 250/Powerglide, all original (No, I'm not gonna drop a 350 in it!...Jeez!) 2000 Honda VFR in the faster yellow! 2008 Husqvarna TE-610 1967 C-10 SWB 'Six Appeal'-Gone but not forgotten... Last edited by Brad; 12-23-2006 at 05:49 AM.

12-23-2006, 06:04 AM	#5
72armyswbtruck Registered User Join Date: Feb 2004 Location: Idaho Posts: 4,034	Re: My new 71 shorty bed Wow, that is one interesting looking truck, definately not ever seen one shortened like that before. Good buy with the front clip and as lon as the rockers and cab aren't shot. __________________ "Remember, They can Kill You, but they can't eat You, That's against the law!!!!!!!!!"

12-23-2006, 08:06 AM	#6
see ten WTB this ad Join Date: Sep 2004 Location: Lafayette Georgia Posts: 5,074	Re: My new 71 shorty bed Nope he has springs! I thought he didn't as well but in one of the other shots you can see the leafs on the outside of the frame rails. You can also see the trailing arm crossmember still in place. It's a curious little combination, almost looks like someone put a truck on a 2wd Blazer frame. Either way if the cab is truly rust free you stole it for a grand. If it's a Blazer frame I think I would sell the cab and slap a Blazer tub on there! Good luck and welcome to the board!

12-23-2006, 09:34 AM	#7
Sweet72 Registered User Join Date: Nov 2003 Location: Alexandria, VA Posts: 1,534	Re: My new 71 shorty bed Looks like there isn't much suspension travel, kind of hard to tell with the angle the pics were taken at. I'd swear maybe 3-4" max! The frame rails are either pounded out from contact with the axle tube or they've been modified. With some work you will have a nice little pickup. What you've done so far on the engine looks good... __________________ '72 GMC SWB C1500 Custom, frame-off in progress. 383 SBC, 9:1CR, Comp Cams XE262H, Scat internal balanced crank, Eagle SIR 6" rods, Keith Black dish pistons, Dart Iron Eagle 72/180 heads, Weiand Stealth intake, Stewart stage I water pump, Holley 4bbl vac sec, TH350 with B&M Shift Improver Kit. 12 bolt positraction.

12-23-2006, 09:49 AM	#8
Yukon Jack Post Whore Join Date: Feb 2000 Location: Rose Hill, KS, USA Posts: 12,684	Re: My new 71 shorty bed Any idea what the leaf springs might be from? Doesn't look like they could let the frame move much before you get metal to metal contact. Good luck with the truck and welcome to the board! __________________ 1970 Blazer with a 400 sbc and 4" lift 1980 Pontiac Trans Am, 455 Oldsmobile 2012 Kawasaki Concours 14

12-23-2006, 10:30 AM	#9
Rokcrln Senior Member Join Date: Jul 2005 Location: Winters Ca. 95694 Posts: 4,843	Re: My new 71 shorty bed Is the axel centered in the springs or did they just move the axel forward as well and it is now not centered? This will cause a terible ride and is not safe if the axel is not locked on teh centering pin. Also how about a pic that is dead on from the side so we can see just how short this truck is! Kevin LFD Inc.

12-23-2006, 10:48 AM	#10
Dano69c10 Senior Member Join Date: Jan 2005 Location: Ontario, Kali Posts: 2,427	Re: My new 71 shorty bed I like it! Good deal! Just fix that rear suspension before something not so good happens, it's dangerous. If you need parts check out the board, someone can get you hooked up with the right parts. Dano Safety First! __________________ '69 Fleet It ain't yours, if you didn't build it!

12-23-2006, 10:54 AM	#11
QKENUF4U Senior Member Join Date: Jan 2005 Location: SUNNY WARM BIKE RIDING COTTONWOOD ARIZONA Posts: 2,097	Re: My new 71 shorty bed hell i would have bought it just for the good sheet metal.

12-23-2006, 11:05 AM	#12
msgross Registered User Join Date: Jul 2006 Location: Central PA Posts: 12,201	Re: My new 71 shorty bed looks like the fabbed (used loosely) shock mounts are bending up. That would indicate that they are bottoming out and pounding the crap out of that axle. I would ditch the bed, have a 4 link welded in and find another short bed and put it looking stock. Can't beat the price if it's running but it doesn't look safe to me.

12-23-2006, 01:39 PM	#13
whatnow123 Registered User Join Date: Oct 2006 Location: Arizona Posts: 835	Re: My new 71 shorty bed Hum.. anyone else notice two different engines pics?

12-23-2006, 02:10 PM	#14
msgross Registered User Join Date: Jul 2006 Location: Central PA Posts: 12,201	Re: My new 71 shorty bed looks like the first was at the lot and second was after he got it home and dressed her up a little...

12-23-2006, 06:45 PM	#15
PanelDeland I am a Referee of life. Join Date: Jun 2000 Location: Greensboro N.C. Posts: 13,993	Re: My new 71 shorty bed I think the right fix was mentioned.Either cut it off behind the cab and do a coil over with 4 link and use that bed or go to another short bed. __________________ The 47-present Chevrolet and GMC Truck Message Board Network,it's owners,moderators,members,and associates of any type should not be held responsible for my opinion. You can't fix stupid,not even with duct tape. "My appearance is due to the fact that "GOD" does punish you for having too much fun!" Barrett-Jackson has perfected alchemy,they make rust into gold! "You can lead a horse to water but you can't saddle a duck" "Cleverly disguised as a 'Responsible Adult' "Sometimes your Knight in shining armor is just a retard in tinfoil"



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12-23-2006, 06:54 PM	#16
poorboy Senior Member Join Date: Jun 2006 Location: Oregon City, Or Posts: 758	Re: My new 71 shorty bed If you look close only the front of the engine was repainted. It's still blue by the headers. Don't get us wrong 2bits you have the start of a nice project on your hands.

12-23-2006, 07:13 PM	#17
AesC10s Chevy truck addict Join Date: Apr 2005 Location: Thornton Colorado Posts: 825	Re: My new 71 shorty bed Looks like the cab or the bed is not on strait. look at the back of the cab and front panel on the bed.

12-23-2006, 07:25 PM	#18
poorboy Senior Member Join Date: Jun 2006 Location: Oregon City, Or Posts: 758	Re: My new 71 shorty bed I like the old school tach.

12-24-2006, 02:01 AM	#19
RMATTZZ4 Registered User Join Date: Jul 2005 Location: The Lone Star State Posts: 19	Re: My new 71 shorty bed Looks like a standard shortbed frame which has been wrecked. Looking at the pics the frame rails bend inward right where the coil spings should mount. The p.o. prolly didn't have the money to fix it right so converting to leafs and moving the rear suspension up to where the frame was still straight was his fix. Stiill I would have given a grand for it just for the cab and front clip.

12-24-2006, 02:57 AM	#20
corn Registered User Join Date: Dec 2003 Location: here Posts: 5,789	Re: My new 71 shorty bed move the shocks up to the studs that are further ahead. they look bottomed where they are & the studs look very weak the way they were installed...

12-24-2006, 04:16 AM	#21
va_tlc Registered User Join Date: Nov 2005 Location: VIRGINIA Posts: 905	Re: My new 71 shorty bed looks cool. and you didnt have to add on to the garage. id have bought that for the unqies of it

12-28-2006, 11:19 PM	#22
7387chevys Registered User Join Date: Jun 2006 Location: WVa Posts: 758	Re: My new 71 shorty bed Looks lie truck body on blazer fram with si\ome tuning and getting the suspension issue took care of it should handle like a dream nice lil truck Shane

12-28-2006, 11:34 PM	#23
72lb4x4 Account Suspended Join Date: Jul 2006 Location: DFW Posts: 1,427	Re: My new 71 shorty bed I saw a 69 shortbed frame on the Dallas Craigslist a few days ago if you want to go that route. The lowering work looks a bit iffy on that 71... Here's a link. http://dallas.craigslist.org/pts/254023329.html

12-28-2006, 11:49 PM	#24
LockDoc The Older Generation Join Date: Aug 2006 Location: Montezuma, Iowa Posts: 25,651	Re: My new 71 shorty bed - I wouldn't think the shocks would work at all laying back at that much angle..... LockDoc __________________ Leon Locksmith, Specializing In Antique Trucks, Automobiles, & Motorcycles (My Dually Pickup Project Thread) http://67-72chevytrucks.com/vboard/s...d.php?t=829820 -

12-29-2006, 12:43 AM	#25
68shortfleet Registered User Join Date: Oct 2006 Location: Dundee, Oregon Posts: 311	Re: My new 71 shorty bed I think that you have a longbed coilspring frame with a short-short bed. Looking at the pics, the crossmember that is near the rear differential should be in front of the rear differential(still has the OE shock mounts hanging down). Also look at the distance from the axle to the OE trailing arm mounting holes(can we get a measurement). Looks like a longbed frame that did not get shortened properly in the center under the cab. Instead they moved the axle forward(loosing suspension travel due to frame height) and just cut the very back of the frame off. Anybody else see this?? Jason

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