Long fleetside cut down to short fleetside project

[64-454ss]

I know some have tackled this themselves. Heres a few pics of my bed shortening project. I wanted a short fleet, but, did not have the cash to buy a so-so condtition one for $1000-ish. I picked this fairly good condition long bed up locally for $80 with a straight tailgate (only a few bolt holes to weld up). I will post pics during the different stages of the project.

[64-454ss]

Got all of the rotten wood out and put the bed on the stand I made.

[RANDY COX]

WOW I'd say you scored a deal of lifetime for 80.00 smackeroose,and a tail-gate.

[64-454ss]

Marked off my fron 12" section and started cutting. I started with my air die-grinder, but quickly switched to my electric grinder with a cut off wheel. Much faster and straighter.

[Sillyoldman]

I'm curious about the two patches. Were they for step pockets or camper tie down? Good score!

[64-454ss]

Once sectioned, I had used a flange tool on one edge. If I did this again, I would have just butt-welded instead of having the overlap. I think the Fitment would have better.

[64-454ss]

Once they fit, next came the what seemed like billions of spot welds.

[64-454ss]

....and repeat for the 8" rear section

[64-454ss]

Silly-
one was for a foot step and the other was a fuel door for some aftermarket saddle tanks.

[andyspinstriping]

I have been toying with the idea of doing this as well. One question I have; When you cut the 12 inch section and the 8 inch section out, did you include the overlap area in that measurment? I have a flange tool as well and I think it stamps a half inch flange so the total removed area would be 12 and half inches in the front and 8 and a half in the rear?
Thanks for any help!

[64-454ss]

Andy- I did factor in the measurement of the overlap. I believe mine was 3/8 of an inch. so in front I believe I removed 11 5/8 and rear was 7 5/8. so, once the pieces were overlapped, it got the extra 3/8 needed for the total amount. i hope that clears it up.

[Rooster's 67]

So ya going to remove the center bed pockets? Or are ya going to leave them?

[64-454ss]

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[64-454ss]

I'm leaving them in, but filled the holes on all of them.
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[tismy55]

How far from the edge of the front ,and how far from the rear edge did you measure to get the 12" and the 8" cut out sections?

[64-454ss]

tismy55- easiest measurement is 1" from the rear of front stake pocket hole for 12" section (would be better at 2"or3") and 5" from front of rear stake pocket hole for 8" section. Let me know if that works for you or if you need some more info/measurements.
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[andyspinstriping]

Cool man, It looks like a lot of work but your step by step pics and accurate measurements make it look doable! Thanks for the info!

[64-454ss]

It's really not that difficult. I had a hard time getting good info for myself so I was kinda going into it blind. If I was to do it again, knowing what I know now, I could do it alot faster and probably with better results. I figured I bought the bed for cheap, if I messed up that bad, it would just be a learning experience and I'd already have a good tailgate for the next one. Plus, for what I sold my step side bed for, it paid for the long bed, tailgate, roll pan, and most supplies and probably most of the wood to go in. If I had more time, I'd be buyin, cuttin, and sellin em.
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[64-454ss]

some pics of right vs left on bodywork. Please note: I am not a body guy and these pics are in progress!! This truck is my hot rod and by no means a show truck

[64-454ss]

a few more...

[64-454ss]

It's a little further along... once I'm able to spend some more time on it, I'll finish up the passenger side. Doing body work in the garage is a little too noisy with a newborn sleeping on the other side of the wall......

[YBNORML]

Nice work! I wish I had half your skills.
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[64-454ss]

For the bed wood, I ordered it though my work for cheap from one of our suppliers. Decided on 3/4" red oak. I got the dimensions of the grooves on-line and cut everything on the tablesaw at work using a dado blade. Only took about 30 mins. Treated all sides with several coats of boiled linseed oil for protection. Everything on the truck is going satin black, and so is the wood. I tested the back side of 2 pieces to check for adheasion to make sure the linseed oil was cured. I'm thinking the flat black looks better.

[64-454ss]

I decided on going with a full tailgate skin instead of the filler piece. This may have cost a little more, but there was virtually no bodywork needed and my brother and I knocked it out in just over an hour. I painted the "outside" of the tailgate and in "inside" of the skin with a rust reformer/inhibitor since it was going to be forever covered up. I didnt get any pics of the process, but it was very easy. Just make sure to have plenty of clamps to hold everything in place nice and tight.

[64-454ss]

Thanks YBNORML. I wouldnt really call it skills as much as just getting in there and figuring it out. Theres definitly a learning curve with every project I tackle on this thing. Some easier than others.