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#1 |
Registered User
Join Date: Jul 2014
Location: Phoenix
Posts: 114
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Shortbed Conversion!
Hey guys so I'm finally starting my LWB to SWB conversion. I know there are a bunch of threads out there about this but I wanted to put mine in to log it. I have already taken the front fenders and stuff off so I can remove the cab. PS. I will probably need help along the way. Thanks guys!
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#2 |
Registered User
Join Date: Jul 2010
Location: central michigan
Posts: 1,193
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Re: Shortbed Conversion!
I don't think you need to remove the cab .
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#3 |
Registered User
Join Date: Oct 2013
Location: HOUSTON
Posts: 355
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Re: Shortbed Conversion!
On that truck he does. 73/87 you dont. I'm in your same shoes. Fixing to shorten my 87
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#4 |
Senior Member
![]() Join Date: Jul 2012
Location: Oblong, Illinois
Posts: 7,028
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Re: Shortbed Conversion!
Cool, tagging along.
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#5 |
Registered User
Join Date: Oct 2014
Location: Mesa AZ (Near Phoenix)
Posts: 2,302
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Re: Shortbed Conversion!
OlSmokey,
First off welcome to the forum. Second, I am out in east Mesa. I have a set of "camper jacks" type jacks I made that work great for lifting the cab and bed. If you want to barrow them for a while you are welcome to come out and get em. I will not need them for a bit. They really make it easy to lift the bed and cab by yourself in a very controlled manner where you can either roll a dolly or trailer underneath and set em down while you work the frame. Also, I have done a couple frame shortening jobs so if you have any questions I will be glad to try and point you in the right direction.
__________________
"Life is too short to drive a boring vehicle". Later, Wayne ![]() |
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#6 | |
Registered User
Join Date: Oct 2013
Location: HOUSTON
Posts: 355
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Re: Shortbed Conversion!
Quote:
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#7 |
Registered User
Join Date: Oct 2009
Location: canton ga
Posts: 12,728
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Re: Shortbed Conversion!
Im in for another one.
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#8 |
Registered User
Join Date: Feb 2014
Location: Chilliwack, BC
Posts: 139
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Re: Shortbed Conversion!
I've done it twice, first time with leaving the cab on and second time with cab off. I fishplated both and let. Doing it with the cab off is way faster and you'll end up with a better quality job. Good luck. If you can read and tape measure and have welding skills it won't be an issue. I also cut a box down, it can be done but just buying a shortbed is way easier and the bolt holes line up except for the ones closest to the tailgate. Cutting the box down is by far more work then the frame, brake lines and drive shaft.
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1972 Chevy shortbox, done up 396bbc 1968 Plymouth Roadrunner, 1000hp twin 72mm turbos 2017 F350 Lariat, 6.7, stock except leveling kit and larger tires 2014 nissan pathfinder sl (the kid hauler) |
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#9 |
Registered User
Join Date: Oct 2014
Location: Mesa AZ (Near Phoenix)
Posts: 2,302
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Re: Shortbed Conversion!
Thanks Nasty-LSX. They are just sitting in my backyard and not planning on using them anytime soon so why not.
Trying to kind of "pay it forward" so to speak.
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"Life is too short to drive a boring vehicle". Later, Wayne ![]() |
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#10 |
Registered User
Join Date: Jul 2014
Location: Phoenix
Posts: 114
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Re: Shortbed Conversion!
Thanks Cooper that's super helpful!
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#11 |
Registered User
Join Date: Jul 2014
Location: Phoenix
Posts: 114
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Re: Shortbed Conversion!
Got the bed off with a few buddies!!
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#12 |
Registered User
Join Date: Jul 2005
Location: AL
Posts: 1,828
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Re: Shortbed Conversion!
Good start... Keep the pics coming! There are a few of us on here that have done this. You can ask questions, then decide how you want to proceed.
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#13 |
Registered User
Join Date: Dec 2014
Location: Coal City, IL
Posts: 695
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Re: Shortbed Conversion!
Off to a good start.
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Tony Nicholas @ Midwest Metal Masters 1953 Chevy 3100 392 Hemi w/727 & 9” Ford 1985 Chevy C/10 6.0L 4L80 373 locker |
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#14 |
Registered User
Join Date: Jul 2014
Location: Phoenix
Posts: 114
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Re: Shortbed Conversion!
So I was just looking around on my frame and I saw something weird.
so I open it up and look! It looks like a brand new factory key! I'm thinking this could have been put there when it was new-ish! Is that possible? Do the signs point to that? I'm super excited since I don't actually have a spare key for my truck, but now I do!! This is awesome! |
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#15 |
Registered User
Join Date: Oct 2009
Location: canton ga
Posts: 12,728
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Re: Shortbed Conversion!
Not a factory key but a nice spare.
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#16 |
Senior Member
![]() Join Date: Oct 2009
Location: Godley, TX
Posts: 17,964
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Re: Shortbed Conversion!
Don't leave home without it! Saved my bacon more than once...
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#17 | |
Registered User
Join Date: Nov 2014
Location: Paducah,KY
Posts: 65
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Re: Shortbed Conversion!
Quote:
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David ![]() |
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#18 |
Registered User
Join Date: Jul 2014
Location: Phoenix
Posts: 114
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Re: Shortbed Conversion!
I forgot to upload the pictures, but here is what I have done this last weekend!
I got the cab off the frame: and I removed the front bed mount, and rear cab mount with some 'gentle' persuasion: over this week I will be removing the brake and fuel lines going back, and removing the drive shaft to replace it with a 1 piece. also cleaning up the dirty old frame a little bit. this has been coming along great! |
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#19 |
Registered User
Join Date: Jul 2014
Location: Phoenix
Posts: 114
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Re: Shortbed Conversion!
Alright me and my dad did some more work today on my old truck and here we go!
First i started by laying out all of the measurements and quadruple checking them: then we cut the frame! crazy! then we did just a test fit, there is still a lot of alignment to be done. so there it is. tomorrow we plan to weld! |
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#20 |
Registered User
Join Date: Oct 2009
Location: canton ga
Posts: 12,728
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Re: Shortbed Conversion!
Looks good.
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#21 |
Registered User
![]() Join Date: Apr 2015
Location: Yakima, WA
Posts: 362
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Re: Shortbed Conversion!
HAHAHAHA>> I WAS CUTING MY FRAME TOOO TODAY >>> I was planning on welding today but the rain came down so I had to stop...
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#22 |
Registered User
Join Date: Jul 2014
Location: Phoenix
Posts: 114
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Re: Shortbed Conversion!
haha that's funny. you're in washington, i'm in arizona, and i would have probably gotten to welding today too if it hadn't been raining!!
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#23 |
Registered User
Join Date: Aug 2012
Location: Topeka Kansas
Posts: 2,655
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Re: Shortbed Conversion!
You frame shortening guys are crazy but it's the good kind of crazy.
Do you plan on using Made in the USA reproduction short bed bedsides or are you going to attempt the dreaded bedside shortening procedure? |
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#24 |
Registered User
Join Date: Jul 2014
Location: Phoenix
Posts: 114
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Re: Shortbed Conversion!
I'm going to attempt shortening down the bed I already have. And if I was going to buy the aftermarket bedsides i would go for the LMC truck ones. It's just so much money. I'm only 19 and I'm going to school and don't have that good of a job so haha 1200$ for bedsides only is quite a bit. But if shortening the actual bed doesn't work out then that's what I'll have to save up for.
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#25 |
Registered User
![]() Join Date: Apr 2015
Location: Yakima, WA
Posts: 362
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Re: Shortbed Conversion!
the rain is back in Washington..
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