Original longbed or cut shortbed?

[pat english]

So here is my truck the day I got it.I traded a 95 Nissan truck for it.I drove it for a while then over heated it.So I decided to do a complete tear down and shortbed conversion.





I got the truck to this point,then I got a running 72 burb as a wedding gift from my boss and his wife.So When that happened I decided I wanted a 4x4.



I started looking on craigslist for 4x4 brackets & crossmembers to convert my frame to a 4x4.I came across a 67-72 4x4 frame with all the the brackets.I asked the guy If he would be interested in a trading the 4x4 frame for a shortbed rolling chassis.I told him that I shortened it and at first he said he wasn’t interested but I emailed him a link to my build thread and he changed his mind.I got the truck stripped down about an hour before the guy got here.



I ended out trading my chassis and trans for a 4x4 frame with all the brackets,350 trans and np205 transfer case,steering box,6 lug rear end to match the dana 44 I got a few weeks ago and 2 original 6 lug steel rims.I still need a few things to make a complete 4x4,but Im really happy with the trade.



I made a cab dolly out of an old frame that was damaged.
The only catch to all of this is that the frame is a long bed frame.I have a shortbed stepside bed.I can cut and shorten the frame,but I haven’t done it yet.I really wanted to think about it and get some other opinions.I like the look of these trucks long or shortbed.If I keep it long,it will be harder to build because it really wont fit in the garage but will be an uncut frame.Everyone is telling me to just chop the frame.What would you do?Thanks,
pat

[leddzepp]

Cut the frame

[kwmech]

If that's what you want cut it. Sounds like you have the skills. Shortening a frame or lengthening to me is almost second nature. I wouldn't hesistate

[67ChevyRedneck]

Cut it. It's what YOU WANT.

Shortbed 4x4's are rare... like REALLY rare... it would be cool to see more of them around. Just please don't ever try to pass it off as a real shortbed 4x4 and I think most people would be cool with it.

I'm converting my truck from a short step to a short fleet and it's actually pissed a few people off, which is hilarious because it's my truck, it's what I want to do with it!

[trac209]

You asked for opinions and here's mine,a 4x4 is and meant to be used as a truck IMHO. And if it's meant to be used as a truck it might as well have a full size usable bed. Now if your building a 4x4 that isn't going to see any off-road or truck duties then it's a no brainer if a shorty is what you prefer.

[junksaver]

If you are going to do any towing with it I say leave it a long bed. If not build it either way. Both long and short beds look good as a 4x4.

[R.L.]

Mine's not a 4x4 but it was a long bed , I cut mine down and don't regret it but if it were a 4x4 I'm not sure I'd want it cut down. Leave it long for now and see how you like it, you can always cut her down later, Keep the short bed make it a trailer paint it to match your truck, if you decide to cut it down you'll have it ready to install and a place for your long bed to go.

[pat english]

Originally Posted by 67ChevyRedneck

Cut it. It's what YOU WANT.

Shortbed 4x4's are rare... like REALLY rare... it would be cool to see more of them around. Just please don't ever try to pass it off as a real shortbed 4x4 and I think most people would be cool with it.

I'm converting my truck from a short step to a short fleet and it's actually pissed a few people off, which is hilarious because it's my truck, it's what I want to do with it!

your right.i do like the shortbed more.if i was to sell it i would never try to say its original.but i really dont want to ever sell it so..

[pat english]

Originally Posted by R.L.

Mine's not a 4x4 but it was a long bed , I cut mine down and don't regret it but if it were a 4x4 I'm not sure I'd want it cut down. Leave it long for now and see how you like it, you can always cut her down later, Keep the short bed make it a trailer paint it to match your truck, if you decide to cut it down you'll have it ready to install and a place for your long bed to go.

yeah if i was to try out the longbed,i would want to keep my short step bed for somthing else.those beds are hard to find.but now would be the time to cut it down while its all apart.

if i could find some long step bed sides that would be cool.longbed stepside 4x4 would be cool.

[pat english]

Originally Posted by junksaver

If you are going to do any towing with it I say leave it a long bed. If not build it either way. Both long and short beds look good as a 4x4.

i agree with you on the 4x4 looking good long or short.why longer For towing?

[pat english]

Originally Posted by trac209

You asked for opinions and here's mine,a 4x4 is and meant to be used as a truck IMHO. And if it's meant to be used as a truck it might as well have a full size usable bed. Now if your building a 4x4 that isn't going to see any off-road or truck duties then it's a no brainer if a shorty is what you prefer.

yeah longbeds are nice for hauling stuff.shortys look cool though.its tuff...

[trac209]

Originally Posted by pat english

i agree with you on the 4x4 looking good long or short.why longer For towing?

Longer wheelbase provides a more stable towing platform in a truck less sway etc.

[slow-1]

Originally Posted by trac209

Longer wheelbase provides a more stable towing platform in a truck less sway etc.

I tow a 4000 pound boat with my short bed fairly often with no problems...plus backing is easier with the shorter truck.

[leftybass209]

Cut that frame if you want a short bed!

[pat english]

Right on guys.Thanks for all the responses.I thought about it long enough i guess.I'm going to shorten it then.I like the shortbed and my wife does too.she remembers when i had a longbed frame in the garage and it was tuff to get through.Those longbed stepside bedsides are just too expensive and too hard to find used.

would anyone know which trans crossmember i have?is that for the turbo 350?

[mrein3]

Originally Posted by pat english

Right on guys.Thanks for all the responses.I thought about it long enough i guess.I'm going to shorten it then.I like the shortbed and my wife does too.she remembers when i had a longbed frame in the garage and it was tuff to get through.Those longbed stepside bedsides are just too expensive and too hard to find used.

would anyone know which trans crossmember i have?is that for the turbo 350?

All cross members are the same for 4x4s with a NP205. GM made the transmission differences up in the adaptor which is the piece between the trans and transfer case.

[CUSTOM/10]

The cross member goes under the transfer case adapter, and if it originally had an NP205 on it then it can be used for either a T350 or a standard, with an NP205. The cross members were the same.

Gary

[pat english]

Cool thanks.So if i want to switch to the sm465 trans i will need a different adaptor?

[pat english]

Originally Posted by CUSTOM/10

The cross member goes under the transfer case adapter, and if it originally had an NP205 on it then it can be used for either a T350 or a standard, with an NP205. The cross members were the same.

Gary

nice.So its the 2wd that had the different trans crossmembers.

[pat english]

Whaat about the engine crossmember?do big block 454's fit in there?i read somewhere that they didnt do a bigblock 4x4 but ive seen people with them.do they use aftermarket crossmembers?

[CUSTOM/10]

Originally Posted by pat english

Cool thanks.So if i want to switch to the sm465 trans i will need a different adaptor?

You'll need a different adpt and the transfer case would have to be from behind a sm465, or the in-put shaft would need to be changed. Autos & standards had different spline counts.

[pat english]

maybe ill just use what i have for now.unless i come across someone wanting an automatic 4x4.

[CUSTOM/10]

The auto set-ups are a bit more desirable and harder to find. You should have no problem selling or trading with someone. You could sell the auto adpter for $100 or more itself.

[pat english]

Originally Posted by CUSTOM/10

The auto set-ups are a bit more desirable and harder to find. You should have no problem selling or trading with someone. You could sell the auto adpter for $100 or more itself.

Shoot.Thats good to know.maybe i will try to trade it then.

[pat english]

I might have a trade worked out.A guy on cl has a sm465 with the np203 transfercase.Do the 203's suck?When i asked the guy if he wanted to trade,he said "you know its a 203 not a 205 right?"