long step to short step??? - The 1947 - Present Chevrolet & GMC Truck Message Board Network

FirstGen · 02-05-2004, 01:46 PM

Question for down the road. Currently, I have a '68 long step in the body shop being blocked and painted... The more I look at the short stepsides the more I am thinking I will go this way later.

I read a great article on Early Classic's website about chopping the frame. Does anyone have any extra advise to add to this?

Also, I am wondering if since the bed has already had all this work done to it if I can just buy the short bed sides and then bolt the bed front, fenders, and tailgate onto the new bedsides? It is a metal floor so I could just cut it or buy the new wood flooring right?

Thanks for helping the newbie

Mudder · 02-05-2004, 02:37 PM

You would have to have different steps. Everthing else you can pretty well replace and the fenders will work with a short step.

FirstGen · 02-05-2004, 03:10 PM

so new steps and sides and that's it right?
thanks

Mudder · 02-05-2004, 03:11 PM

Shorter rails for the floor and bed boards. I'm sure somone will correct me if I'm wrong and thats ok.

**Palf70Step** · 02-05-2004, 03:24 PM

Will need new/different bed sides, steps, floorboards, strips for sure. I don't remember the exact difference, but the frame pads are positioned a bit differently. Might be just an extra one, but they are slightly different.

FirstGen · 02-05-2004, 04:22 PM

It's a metal floor so I could just cut it

**smitty62** · 02-05-2004, 04:58 PM

Think I'd find a short frame and go from there........

FirstGen · 02-05-2004, 05:24 PM

and swap the whole frame? I think that would be way more work...

FirstGen · 02-05-2004, 05:27 PM

check out the link:
http://earlyclassic.com/techarticles/cctapr03pg1.html

Anybody good welder with some common sense and mechanical ability can do this mod.

67cst · 02-05-2004, 05:31 PM

we shortened the frame on the 67, well its a 71 leaf rear frame, we removed 12 inches i think it was from inbetween the cab mounts, then i thinki t was 6 inches off the back, it was pretty straight forward, also fish plated the inside of the frame rail where the seam is. its strong as hell and straight as an arrow

FirstGen · 02-05-2004, 05:48 PM

good deal! how long did it take you? any tips?
Thanks!

jorgensensc · 02-05-2004, 06:43 PM

Maybe you could sell the long stepside to a board member. I know there are plenty of folks who want one. Then possibly buy a short step. You might even be able to trade for one.

**smitty62** · 02-05-2004, 07:06 PM

Yes, I think swapping out a frame is better, easier than cutting a frame in half, realigning, welding, reinforcing it and ending up with a truck that will have it's value reduced drastically if the buyer looks under it-or perhaps even a lawsuit if he doesn't. NOT THAT A CUT FRAME ISN'T SAFE OR SOLID IF DONE RIGHT--THEY ARE, BUT THAT'S NOT THE POINT.
If you care enough to do either, you'll want to clean/ paint the frame and end up with a truck to be proud of--or don't you?
JMHO---it's your truck and money

FirstGen · 02-05-2004, 07:57 PM

I think you are totally off base yes.

Do you think the hundreds of trucks that have been cut and notched for bags or custom rear suspensions are not proud of their investment?
I doubt if any informed person would consider such a mod as a negatve at all. Perhaps on a origional show truck but definatly not on a custom truck.

And swapping EVERYTHING from a nice running truck to another frame completely WOULD take longer than a chop and weld. How do you figure?

Maybe I'm wrong, any second opinions?

sweet n rare67 · 02-05-2004, 11:48 PM

Well, Honestly I say dont do it. The Longstep is a rarely built truck which is very cool. They look awesome just the way they are allthough some may disagree with me.(I am partial though). I really think the longstep is cool, but it is your truck and you can do what you want. Just my 2cents.

FirstGen · 02-06-2004, 12:31 AM

Good point! I am still iffy about it. I like knowing the options available though...

Super Chevy · 02-06-2004, 05:22 AM

I want a longstep

Gene · 02-06-2004, 12:00 PM

Hi, my name is Gene.....And i'm a frame cutter

And i'm proud as hell of my truck, and have had several offers to buy knowing full well that the frame has been cut.

trinic · 02-06-2004, 12:57 PM

[QUOTE]Originally posted by FirstGen
[B]I think you are totally off base yes.

Cut it and do what you'd like. This guy is giving you pointers as to what is involved with the mod. In my opinion, it'd take longer to cut up the frame, align, weld, fix bed, swap parts......
If you really want a short step, then you might want too start off with a short bed.

FirstGen · 02-06-2004, 04:05 PM

Yeah there are many ways to look at it I suppose. Short beds are hard to find in good shape for good prices in Dallas. That's the largest problem...

trinic · 02-06-2004, 04:10 PM

here's one in Dallas on this board forsale, but it might be sold already... great price as well...

Here

FirstGen · 02-06-2004, 04:21 PM

yeah already posted about that one on Wed... he had a deal pending...

**smitty62** · 02-06-2004, 06:14 PM

[QUOTE]Originally posted by FirstGen
[B]I think you are totally off base yes.

I was always taught that if you asked for an opinion, you obligated yourself to either accepting it with gratitude or rejecting it with it diplomacy. You, sir, have done neither, but have shown your total ignorance of mature and proper conduct as well as correct spelling and punctuation.
By all means chop away at all the trucks you choose--do you really think I give a fat rat's A$$ what you screw up on your vehicles? Rest assured I will not respond to any of your future posts, nor I suspect will some others. You list yourself as "firstgen"--I certainly hope you are the last.

ebfabman · 02-06-2004, 07:11 PM

I'm a frame cutter also. Here are a few pics from my old website ( in the process of updating the website now)

These pics show a method that IMO, is far better than the one used in that article posted above.

I have developed an upgrade for frame shortening since those pics were taken that is a bit better.

One more thing, if a video of frame shortening will help, I have them.

stllookn · 02-06-2004, 07:22 PM

Earl, You are not a frame cutter...you, my friend, are an aritist...LOL!

02-05-2004, 01:46 PM	#1
FirstGen Just Don't Stop! Join Date: Feb 2004 Location: Dallas Posts: 1,239	long step to short step??? Question for down the road. Currently, I have a '68 long step in the body shop being blocked and painted... The more I look at the short stepsides the more I am thinking I will go this way later. I read a great article on Early Classic's website about chopping the frame. Does anyone have any extra advise to add to this? Also, I am wondering if since the bed has already had all this work done to it if I can just buy the short bed sides and then bolt the bed front, fenders, and tailgate onto the new bedsides? It is a metal floor so I could just cut it or buy the new wood flooring right? Thanks for helping the newbie

02-05-2004, 03:10 PM	#3
FirstGen Just Don't Stop! Join Date: Feb 2004 Location: Dallas Posts: 1,239	so new steps and sides and that's it right? thanks __________________ 1968 C10 build in process TT LSA/6L90e/9"

02-05-2004, 03:24 PM	#5
Palf70Step State of Confusion! Join Date: Jul 2002 Location: Gulfport, MS USA Posts: 46,816	Will need new/different bed sides, steps, floorboards, strips for sure. I don't remember the exact difference, but the frame pads are positioned a bit differently. Might be just an extra one, but they are slightly different. __________________ Bill 1970 Chevy Custom/10 LWB Fleetside 2010 Toyota Tacoma PreRunner SR5 Double Cab - DD Member of Louisiana Classic Truck Club (LCTC) Bill's Gallery Life isn't tied with a bow, but it's still a gift. Live simply. Love generously. Care deeply. Speak kindly. Leave the rest to God!

02-05-2004, 04:22 PM	#6
FirstGen Just Don't Stop! Join Date: Feb 2004 Location: Dallas Posts: 1,239	It's a metal floor so I could just cut it __________________ 1968 C10 build in process TT LSA/6L90e/9"

02-05-2004, 04:58 PM	#7
smitty62 Registered User Join Date: May 2002 Location: North Carolina Posts: 1,234	Think I'd find a short frame and go from there........ __________________ Stepsides look like real trucks! Smitty

02-05-2004, 02:37 PM	#2
Mudder Registered User Join Date: Feb 2001 Location: East Central, MO Posts: 11,336	You would have to have different steps. Everthing else you can pretty well replace and the fenders will work with a short step.

02-05-2004, 03:11 PM	#4
Mudder Registered User Join Date: Feb 2001 Location: East Central, MO Posts: 11,336	Shorter rails for the floor and bed boards. I'm sure somone will correct me if I'm wrong and thats ok.

02-05-2004, 05:24 PM	#8
FirstGen Just Don't Stop! Join Date: Feb 2004 Location: Dallas Posts: 1,239	and swap the whole frame? I think that would be way more work... __________________ 1968 C10 build in process TT LSA/6L90e/9"

02-05-2004, 05:27 PM	#9
FirstGen Just Don't Stop! Join Date: Feb 2004 Location: Dallas Posts: 1,239	check out the link: http://earlyclassic.com/techarticles/cctapr03pg1.html Anybody good welder with some common sense and mechanical ability can do this mod. __________________ 1968 C10 build in process TT LSA/6L90e/9"

02-05-2004, 05:31 PM	#10
67cst i love summertime Join Date: Jul 2002 Location: Kelowna BC Posts: 4,303	we shortened the frame on the 67, well its a 71 leaf rear frame, we removed 12 inches i think it was from inbetween the cab mounts, then i thinki t was 6 inches off the back, it was pretty straight forward, also fish plated the inside of the frame rail where the seam is. its strong as hell and straight as an arrow __________________ 1967 shortbox stepside Chevy, 365 hp 327, th400. GLOVE BOX LIGHTS FORSALE, click link for info http://67-72chevytrucks.com/vboard/s...d.php?t=273724

02-05-2004, 05:48 PM	#11
FirstGen Just Don't Stop! Join Date: Feb 2004 Location: Dallas Posts: 1,239	good deal! how long did it take you? any tips? Thanks! __________________ 1968 C10 build in process TT LSA/6L90e/9"

02-05-2004, 06:43 PM	#12
jorgensensc Registered User Join Date: Jul 2003 Location: Cypress, Tx Posts: 4,005	Maybe you could sell the long stepside to a board member. I know there are plenty of folks who want one. Then possibly buy a short step. You might even be able to trade for one. __________________ 1972 C20 Suburban- Big Blue Betty '56 Chevy Bel Air Sedan- Frame up Restoration -What would you attempt to achieve if you knew you could not fail?- -I Refuse To Tiptoe Through Life, Only To Arrive Safely At Death's Door- R.I.P. EAST SIDE LOW LIFE

02-05-2004, 07:06 PM	#13
smitty62 Registered User Join Date: May 2002 Location: North Carolina Posts: 1,234	Yes, I think swapping out a frame is better, easier than cutting a frame in half, realigning, welding, reinforcing it and ending up with a truck that will have it's value reduced drastically if the buyer looks under it-or perhaps even a lawsuit if he doesn't. NOT THAT A CUT FRAME ISN'T SAFE OR SOLID IF DONE RIGHT--THEY ARE, BUT THAT'S NOT THE POINT. If you care enough to do either, you'll want to clean/ paint the frame and end up with a truck to be proud of--or don't you? JMHO---it's your truck and money __________________ Stepsides look like real trucks! Smitty

02-05-2004, 07:57 PM	#14
FirstGen Just Don't Stop! Join Date: Feb 2004 Location: Dallas Posts: 1,239	I think you are totally off base yes. Do you think the hundreds of trucks that have been cut and notched for bags or custom rear suspensions are not proud of their investment? I doubt if any informed person would consider such a mod as a negatve at all. Perhaps on a origional show truck but definatly not on a custom truck. And swapping EVERYTHING from a nice running truck to another frame completely WOULD take longer than a chop and weld. How do you figure? Maybe I'm wrong, any second opinions? __________________ 1968 C10 build in process TT LSA/6L90e/9"

02-05-2004, 11:48 PM	#15
sweet n rare67 Young truck fanatic Join Date: Jun 2003 Location: The wonderful Mat-Su Valley....Palmer, Ak Posts: 253	Well, Honestly I say dont do it. The Longstep is a rarely built truck which is very cool. They look awesome just the way they are allthough some may disagree with me.(I am partial though). I really think the longstep is cool, but it is your truck and you can do what you want. Just my 2cents. __________________ '67 Chevy Longstep 2wd 350 w/4spd manual Muncie M21. My first project. Proud to be Valley Trash



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02-06-2004, 12:31 AM	#16
FirstGen Just Don't Stop! Join Date: Feb 2004 Location: Dallas Posts: 1,239	Good point! I am still iffy about it. I like knowing the options available though... __________________ 1968 C10 build in process TT LSA/6L90e/9"

02-06-2004, 05:22 AM	#17
Super Chevy Registered User Join Date: Feb 2001 Location: Ohio Posts: 1,025	I want a longstep

02-06-2004, 12:00 PM	#18
Gene Registered User Join Date: Aug 2002 Location: Muskogee, Oklahoma Posts: 2,914	Hi, my name is Gene.....And i'm a frame cutter And i'm proud as hell of my truck, and have had several offers to buy knowing full well that the frame has been cut. __________________ 1971 SWB 4X4 Build BOARD MEMBER #5448 BOOMER SOONER!!!!

02-06-2004, 12:57 PM	#19
trinic Registered User Join Date: Aug 2002 Location: Wide awake Wylie (North Texas) Posts: 322	do what you'd like [QUOTE]Originally posted by FirstGen [B]I think you are totally off base yes. Cut it and do what you'd like. This guy is giving you pointers as to what is involved with the mod. In my opinion, it'd take longer to cut up the frame, align, weld, fix bed, swap parts...... If you really want a short step, then you might want too start off with a short bed.

02-06-2004, 04:05 PM	#20
FirstGen Just Don't Stop! Join Date: Feb 2004 Location: Dallas Posts: 1,239	Yeah there are many ways to look at it I suppose. Short beds are hard to find in good shape for good prices in Dallas. That's the largest problem... __________________ 1968 C10 build in process TT LSA/6L90e/9"

02-06-2004, 04:10 PM	#21
trinic Registered User Join Date: Aug 2002 Location: Wide awake Wylie (North Texas) Posts: 322	here's one here's one in Dallas on this board forsale, but it might be sold already... great price as well... Here Last edited by trinic; 02-06-2004 at 04:12 PM.

02-06-2004, 04:21 PM	#22
FirstGen Just Don't Stop! Join Date: Feb 2004 Location: Dallas Posts: 1,239	yeah already posted about that one on Wed... he had a deal pending... __________________ 1968 C10 build in process TT LSA/6L90e/9"

02-06-2004, 06:14 PM	#23
smitty62 Registered User Join Date: May 2002 Location: North Carolina Posts: 1,234	[QUOTE]Originally posted by FirstGen [B]I think you are totally off base yes. I was always taught that if you asked for an opinion, you obligated yourself to either accepting it with gratitude or rejecting it with it diplomacy. You, sir, have done neither, but have shown your total ignorance of mature and proper conduct as well as correct spelling and punctuation. By all means chop away at all the trucks you choose--do you really think I give a fat rat's A$$ what you screw up on your vehicles? Rest assured I will not respond to any of your future posts, nor I suspect will some others. You list yourself as "firstgen"--I certainly hope you are the last. __________________ Stepsides look like real trucks! Smitty

02-06-2004, 07:11 PM	#24
ebfabman Registered User Join Date: Nov 2001 Location: Concord, NC Posts: 2,489	I'm a frame cutter also. Here are a few pics from my old website ( in the process of updating the website now) These pics show a method that IMO, is far better than the one used in that article posted above. I have developed an upgrade for frame shortening since those pics were taken that is a bit better. One more thing, if a video of frame shortening will help, I have them.

02-06-2004, 07:22 PM	#25
stllookn Saving 1 truck at a time! Join Date: Aug 2001 Location: Kent, WA Posts: 6,465	Earl, You are not a frame cutter...you, my friend, are an aritist...LOL! __________________ '68 C20 Longhorn 50th Anniversary 400/TH400 '68 C20 Longhorn 50th Anniversary 468/TH400w/buckets '72 C20 Halfhorn (Longhorn w/o cab and front clip) '69 Flxible Cruiser (look up ugly in the dictionary)

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