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#1 |
Registered User
Join Date: Feb 2013
Location: Greeley, Colorado
Posts: 12
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LWB shortened to SWB
I am new to this site and am interested in information and feed back about converting a long wheel base pickup to a short one. This subject has probably been discussed previously. Any help with personal experience or links to other sites or information would be appreciated. I should mention that I have more than beginner's skills in welding (own a mig and plasma cutter).
Fred |
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#2 |
Registered User
Join Date: Jul 2011
Location: Farmville, Va
Posts: 3,026
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Re: LWB shortened to SWB
I would do it in an instant there are many links to how to do ir. Where you should cit 12" and where you should cut 10", welcome to the forum
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#3 |
Registered User
Join Date: Dec 2012
Location: Altoona Iowa
Posts: 481
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Re: LWB shortened to SWB
I say do it all day.....Shorty's rule the world!!!! when you cut, make sure to go the extra step in welding and diamond weld over the top for extra support. Make sure you have the tranny in that you want to keep before having the drive shaft shortened, and for best results make up new fuel and brake lines (not cut and splice together with hose..fixed that mistake for several poorly done mods.)
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#4 |
Registered User
Join Date: Dec 2008
Location: Berryville, AR
Posts: 792
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Re: LWB shortened to SWB
I cut mine down and it was easier than I thought. You can check out my build thread if you are interested
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Rex |
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#5 |
Registered User
Join Date: Feb 2013
Location: Greeley, Colorado
Posts: 12
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Re: LWB shortened to SWB
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#6 | |
Registered User
Join Date: Feb 2013
Location: Greeley, Colorado
Posts: 12
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Re: LWB shortened to SWB
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#7 | |
Registered User
Join Date: Feb 2013
Location: Greeley, Colorado
Posts: 12
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Re: LWB shortened to SWB
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Fred |
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#8 |
Registered User
Join Date: Dec 2012
Location: Altoona Iowa
Posts: 481
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Re: LWB shortened to SWB
We shortened a bed awhile back, but my dad was the master behind that(he was a body shop owner). If I remember what he did with the bedsides was to use draw it out with a black marker the line you want the finished length to be at......then draw another line 1 inch in front of that line so that it will actually be 1 inch longer at this point, and cut meticulously on the line....(you will have the bed off for this) While you have cut off the bed front, you should be able to drill out the spot welds and peel off the remainder bed sid that wrapped around the corner. Then on the inch longer line, make a cut with snips every inch to the final length line. then place the bed front back in place so that your final length line is lined up with the bed front (cab side) and clamp at top and bottom. Start to tap tabbs around corner thus wrapping new side on then weld it up. you should have a real nice finished look that will look original.
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#9 | |
Registered User
Join Date: Feb 2013
Location: Greeley, Colorado
Posts: 12
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Re: LWB shortened to SWB
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Fred |
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#10 |
Registered User
Join Date: Dec 2012
Location: Altoona Iowa
Posts: 481
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Re: LWB shortened to SWB
its a long winded instruction, but all in all pretty easy if you just take your time.
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#11 |
Registered User
Join Date: Dec 2008
Location: Berryville, AR
Posts: 792
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Re: LWB shortened to SWB
I did not shorten the bed itself, I found two short bed bedsides instead
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Rex |
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#12 |
Senior Member
Join Date: Jan 2003
Location: daytonabeach
Posts: 22,956
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Re: LWB shortened to SWB
lots of the real wham bam easy as pie ones end up in the dumpster as the final result// or if they make it back on the road they dont drive straight but in a constant circile
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71c-10 350/2004r/4:11 lowered3/4 longbed/dead by hurricane MEANING OF DEATH::::: SOMEBODY ELSE GETS YOUR STUFF DONT BELIEVE EVERYTHING YOU THINK TAKE MY ADVISE;I DON'T USE IT ANYWAY |
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#13 | |
Registered User
Join Date: Apr 2008
Location: Oregon City, Oregon
Posts: 741
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Re: LWB shortened to SWB
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#14 | |
Registered User
Join Date: Feb 2013
Location: Greeley, Colorado
Posts: 12
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Re: LWB shortened to SWB
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Fred Posted via Mobile Device |
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#15 |
Registered User
Join Date: Feb 2013
Location: Greeley, Colorado
Posts: 12
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Re: LWB shortened to SWB
Thanks for your comments. I am looking for a project to occupy some time and to create something, not just purchase someone else's build. Shortening the frame does not intimidate me, but cutting and welding the sides does. I currently have a 68 frame and 2 sets of bed sides, so I have some extra parts if I don't get it right the first time. I will look at your build then think about how to proceed.
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#16 | ||
Registered User
Join Date: Sep 2006
Location: Riverton KS
Posts: 832
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Re: LWB shortened to SWB
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1970 SWB Build |
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#17 |
Registered User
Join Date: Feb 2013
Location: Greeley, Colorado
Posts: 12
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Re: LWB shortened to SWB
I do have the proper tools, time and space to do the work. I have not worked with thin metal, such as the bed sides, but have several decades of working on heavier material. My neighbors might not think my driving in circles would be anything but normal! Thanks for your comments.
Fred |
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#18 |
Registered User
Join Date: Oct 2010
Location: ruston la
Posts: 169
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Re: LWB shortened to SWB
It took me two weeks to cut my lwb down
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#19 |
Registered User
Join Date: Oct 2010
Location: ruston la
Posts: 169
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Re: LWB shortened to SWB
If you have questions pm me
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#20 |
Registered User
Join Date: Feb 2013
Location: Greeley, Colorado
Posts: 12
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Re: LWB shortened to SWB
Thanks for the offer. A couple of people have offered some methods in the last 2 days. After I consider these I will probably contact you. Again thanks!
Fred Posted via Mobile Device |
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#21 |
Account Suspended
![]() Join Date: Feb 2011
Location: Ogilvie Minnesota
Posts: 461
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Re: LWB shortened to SWB
I think swb pickups are cool but i couldnt imagine hating my long box so bad that i would go through this much work to make it a shortie. I see nine out of ten people that attempt this conversion banging their head against their garage wall after a couple days of working on it wondering why they even attempted it. I like long box pickups but i understand that most like swb. Goodluck with your conversion and i hope it goes well for you. If you have the skills to do it then more power to you.
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#22 |
Registered User
Join Date: Dec 2010
Location: murray ky
Posts: 351
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Re: LWB shortened to SWB
my dad and i have shortened many trucks over the years. we however have always found short beds but the doing the frame isn't too much of a job. the last one we did we did it start to finish in about 3 hours. good luck with the project.
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#23 |
Registered User
Join Date: Nov 2011
Location: Mission BC Canada
Posts: 24
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Re: LWB shortened to SWB
Im suprised no one has posted this link for you.
I used this to shorten my frame. http://67-72chevytrucks.com/vboard/s...d.php?t=123624 As for cutting down the boxsides, IMO it is easier to disassemble the box and shorten the bedsides that way. Although this thread has alot of good info, starts on post #195 http://67-72chevytrucks.com/vboard/s...=223158&page=8 Last edited by Luci Fur; 02-24-2013 at 05:49 AM. |
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#24 |
Registered User
Join Date: Feb 2013
Location: Greeley, Colorado
Posts: 12
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Re: LWB shortened to SWB
Thanks for these links. I am eager to read them. currently I have one lwb bed disassembled and will be working on it first.
Fred Posted via Mobile Device |
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#25 |
Registered User
Join Date: Feb 2013
Location: Greeley, Colorado
Posts: 12
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Re: LWB shortened to SWB
I have looked at the 2 links you provided. They are very informative. Thanks.
Fred |
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