shorten the box -- LWB to SWB - The 1947 - Present Chevrolet & GMC Truck Message Board Network

jcab · 11-02-2003, 05:52 PM

I was curious if anyone, during their conversion from a LWB to a SWB, actually shorten the box itself?

lukecp · 11-02-2003, 05:55 PM

I've heard that it can be done...but the body lines will be kinda funky.....the SWB box has much sharper curves above the marker light than the LWB. But i have never seen a pic of it done...Plus, you can buy brand new SWB bedsides (ain't cheap though)

**Canadian694x4** · 11-02-2003, 06:05 PM

it's been done...i can't find the thread in question but I'm sure sumone can post it. It had a link to a site with a few pics of how it was done. You may wanna try the search I think it is up and running again....

**FRENCHBLUE72** · 11-02-2003, 09:38 PM

Someone posted a pic of a truck with the bed shortened and it looked pretty good..

rustyold69 · 11-02-2003, 09:39 PM

classic trucks magazine did that a few months ago and it looked like alot of work

jcab · 11-03-2003, 11:09 AM

thanks guys. the reason I asked, was because I priced out SWB sides, and they would be ~ $1700. Maybe I will take a stab at doing this if I can't find a cheap SWB parts truck, or possibly a very cheap late model bed, although I am not much of a fan...

**StingRay** · 11-03-2003, 11:52 AM

There is a pic of box that was shortened in this thread.

http://67-72chevytrucks.com/vboard/s...light=crew+cab

**Classic Heartbeat** · 11-03-2003, 12:28 PM

I don't know how far from Olympia, Washington you are, but I have a short fleetside bed for sale here for $500.00

WES www.ClassicHeartbeat.com

jcab · 11-03-2003, 12:31 PM

Thanks Stingray, that was a cool thread!

Did you ver find out about the year of the F-150 rear sway bar that is a direct bolt on?

jcab · 11-03-2003, 12:36 PM

Wes I am north of North Dakota/Minnesota, so that would be a bit of a drive.

Thanks though

VTKidder · 11-03-2003, 01:12 PM

A good short bed can be had for $500 all day long, and a good long bed will probably bring $300-400; buy a shortbed, sell your longbed, and end up paying $100-200 for a short bed, instead of 40 hours cutting, welding and having the chance of screwing it up royally. Just my .02.

**Classic Heartbeat** · 11-03-2003, 01:44 PM

Ya, that would be a bit of a drive. Thanks for responding though. Good luck with whatever you wind up doing. WES www.ClassicHeartbeat.com

**StingRay** · 11-03-2003, 02:19 PM

I've driven from here to Winnipeg and from here to Washington. You can hardly believe what a drive it would be all of the way hauling a box on a trailer. It cost me 500 bucks in hotels, gas and trailer rental just to get a box and frame back from northern Manitoba about 300 miles away. If you had your own trailer ( a sled trailer would work good for a box) or piggy backed the box on a pickup it would save a bit but gas and lodging are the killers. SWB boxes are non-existant up here on the prairies. The one I had a month back was not real nice but was solid from the body lines up and had a rusty metal floor. I got 500 from the first guy that looked at it. I am still getting calls on it. Goodmark bedsides are real good option when all things are considered.

I haven't talked to him lately but anticipate he will be showing up with a good LWB bed for me soon and will find out about the sway bar then.

jcab · 11-03-2003, 02:50 PM

VTKidder, finding a SWB parts truck, would be the best solution, but the ones I have seen so far are $$$ which is why I was contemplating hacking up the LWB bed. Oh well.

As always, thanks for all the input guys!

Nate003 · 11-04-2003, 01:46 AM

hey wes, i might be interested in that bed, you got any more pics of it, is it a metal floor? and is there any rust. thanks

VTKidder · 11-04-2003, 08:59 AM

Heck, you might as well make one helluva road trip and drive to Vermont and get my box from me! There are a few within a couple hours for around $300-$400 that are workable. I wish someone made new bed floors, because with a good floor, you can build a brand spankin new bed for around $1,200 (plus the floor to start with). Hands down the way to go for someone who's going to drive the truck until they're 80!

Blue Beard · 11-04-2003, 09:08 AM

You might try the Classic Truck or Custom Classic Truck site for back issue articles....I know they had one on shortening the frame.........

11-02-2003, 05:52 PM	#1
jcab I need more money.... Join Date: Aug 2003 Location: Winnipeg, Manitoba, Canada Posts: 145	shorten the box -- LWB to SWB I was curious if anyone, during their conversion from a LWB to a SWB, actually shorten the box itself? __________________ Jay. '68 LWB C10 '74 Duster ("It's not Rusted out, it's been modified for weight reduction") '91 Civic '97 Saturn '88 Celica AWD turbo (R.I.P.) 273 hp Mustang Killer

11-02-2003, 05:55 PM	#2
lukecp Formerly yellow72custom Join Date: May 2001 Location: Austin, TX Posts: 7,531	I've heard that it can be done...but the body lines will be kinda funky.....the SWB box has much sharper curves above the marker light than the LWB. But i have never seen a pic of it done...Plus, you can buy brand new SWB bedsides (ain't cheap though) __________________ '72 Chevy C10 Mild 350/TH350/3.07. Ochre/White. Old high school ride. '70 GMC C2500 '62 327 4bbl/SM465/4.56-geared Dana 60. White/White. Project or parts truck. '97 Saturn SL DD. 1.9/5-speed. 40+ highway mpg

11-02-2003, 06:05 PM	#3
Canadian694x4 Born To Lose Club Join Date: Feb 2003 Location: Calgary, Alberta/Oxenden, Ontario, Great White North Posts: 13,306	it's been done...i can't find the thread in question but I'm sure sumone can post it. It had a link to a site with a few pics of how it was done. You may wanna try the search I think it is up and running again.... __________________ Brian Smith - "Born To Lose" 1969 Chevrolet K10 LWB Fleetside - Proud Owner For 20 Yrs - 1 of 208 Built & Sold In Canada! - 283 V8/350TH/NP208, 2" All Spring Lift, 32" Good Year MT/R's. 1972 GMC K2500 Custom LWB Fleetside - Proud Owner For 2 Yrs - 1 of 571 Built & Sold In Canada! - 350 V8/SM465/NP205, 4” Rough Country Lift, 33” Interco TSL Thornbirds 2007.5 GMC Sierra SLE 2500HD 4x4 - Proud Owner For 15 Yrs - 6.6L V8 Duramax Diesel/Allison 1000, 2" Lift, 33" Mickey Thompson MTZ's. 2008 Yamaha Raptor 700r - Proud Owner For 13 Yrs - ITP Mud Lites. 2015 John Deere 1025R - Proud Owner For 6 Yrs - 24HP Diesel/H120/54D/260B/SB1154.

11-02-2003, 09:38 PM	#4
FRENCHBLUE72 PROJECT 7DEUCE Join Date: Dec 2002 Location: GRANTS PASS OR Posts: 21,608	Someone posted a pic of a truck with the bed shortened and it looked pretty good.. __________________ GO BIG GREEN GO DUCKS MEMBER #6377 72 k-5 daily driver 6'' lift 35'' 350-350-205 slowly getting rust free. Project "7DEUCE" check out my build http://67-72chevytrucks.com/vboard/s...d.php?t=267665 Tim Powell..R.I.P EastSideLowlife..... R.I.P..

11-02-2003, 09:39 PM	#5
rustyold69 student wrench turner Join Date: Jan 2003 Location: wrightstown, wisconsin Posts: 192	classic trucks magazine did that a few months ago and it looked like alot of work __________________ 1969 Chevy C-10 with 250 L6 2002 GMC Sierra 2500 HD Duramax with banks six gun

11-03-2003, 11:09 AM	#6
jcab I need more money.... Join Date: Aug 2003 Location: Winnipeg, Manitoba, Canada Posts: 145	thanks guys. the reason I asked, was because I priced out SWB sides, and they would be ~ $1700. Maybe I will take a stab at doing this if I can't find a cheap SWB parts truck, or possibly a very cheap late model bed, although I am not much of a fan... __________________ Jay. '68 LWB C10 '74 Duster ("It's not Rusted out, it's been modified for weight reduction") '91 Civic '97 Saturn '88 Celica AWD turbo (R.I.P.) 273 hp Mustang Killer

11-03-2003, 11:52 AM	#7
StingRay Senior Member Join Date: Mar 2000 Location: Saskatoon,SK,Canada Posts: 2,476	There is a pic of box that was shortened in this thread. http://67-72chevytrucks.com/vboard/s...light=crew+cab __________________ Saskatoon, Saskatchewan Canada

11-03-2003, 12:28 PM	#8
Classic Heartbeat Project Junkie! Fishing Poor!! Join Date: Dec 1999 Location: Olympia,Wa. 98512 Posts: 10,770	I don't know how far from Olympia, Washington you are, but I have a short fleetside bed for sale here for $500.00 WES www.ClassicHeartbeat.com __________________ On-line catolog Classic Heartbeat Pickup Parts WEHEPP@comcast.net Call us Toll Free (888) 338-2502 Like Us on Facebook No appointment necessary. 72 BB Chevy Custom Deluxe / Custom Camper 67 I-6 (Soon to be 5.7 LS1) Panel 68 BB Chevy Short Bed 72 6.0 LQ9 Short Bed Chevy 4X4 Olympia's fastest growing truck parts supplier. Olympia's home for Wayward Chevys

11-03-2003, 12:31 PM	#9
jcab I need more money.... Join Date: Aug 2003 Location: Winnipeg, Manitoba, Canada Posts: 145	Thanks Stingray, that was a cool thread! Did you ver find out about the year of the F-150 rear sway bar that is a direct bolt on? __________________ Jay. '68 LWB C10 '74 Duster ("It's not Rusted out, it's been modified for weight reduction") '91 Civic '97 Saturn '88 Celica AWD turbo (R.I.P.) 273 hp Mustang Killer

11-03-2003, 12:36 PM	#10
jcab I need more money.... Join Date: Aug 2003 Location: Winnipeg, Manitoba, Canada Posts: 145	Wes I am north of North Dakota/Minnesota, so that would be a bit of a drive. Thanks though __________________ Jay. '68 LWB C10 '74 Duster ("It's not Rusted out, it's been modified for weight reduction") '91 Civic '97 Saturn '88 Celica AWD turbo (R.I.P.) 273 hp Mustang Killer

11-03-2003, 01:12 PM	#11
VTKidder Registered User Join Date: May 2003 Location: Vermont Posts: 996	A good short bed can be had for $500 all day long, and a good long bed will probably bring $300-400; buy a shortbed, sell your longbed, and end up paying $100-200 for a short bed, instead of 40 hours cutting, welding and having the chance of screwing it up royally. Just my .02.

11-03-2003, 01:44 PM	#12
Classic Heartbeat Project Junkie! Fishing Poor!! Join Date: Dec 1999 Location: Olympia,Wa. 98512 Posts: 10,770	Ya, that would be a bit of a drive. Thanks for responding though. Good luck with whatever you wind up doing. WES www.ClassicHeartbeat.com __________________ On-line catolog Classic Heartbeat Pickup Parts WEHEPP@comcast.net Call us Toll Free (888) 338-2502 Like Us on Facebook No appointment necessary. 72 BB Chevy Custom Deluxe / Custom Camper 67 I-6 (Soon to be 5.7 LS1) Panel 68 BB Chevy Short Bed 72 6.0 LQ9 Short Bed Chevy 4X4 Olympia's fastest growing truck parts supplier. Olympia's home for Wayward Chevys

11-03-2003, 02:19 PM	#13
StingRay Senior Member Join Date: Mar 2000 Location: Saskatoon,SK,Canada Posts: 2,476	I've driven from here to Winnipeg and from here to Washington. You can hardly believe what a drive it would be all of the way hauling a box on a trailer. It cost me 500 bucks in hotels, gas and trailer rental just to get a box and frame back from northern Manitoba about 300 miles away. If you had your own trailer ( a sled trailer would work good for a box) or piggy backed the box on a pickup it would save a bit but gas and lodging are the killers. SWB boxes are non-existant up here on the prairies. The one I had a month back was not real nice but was solid from the body lines up and had a rusty metal floor. I got 500 from the first guy that looked at it. I am still getting calls on it. Goodmark bedsides are real good option when all things are considered. I haven't talked to him lately but anticipate he will be showing up with a good LWB bed for me soon and will find out about the sway bar then. __________________ Saskatoon, Saskatchewan Canada Last edited by StingRay; 11-03-2003 at 02:24 PM.

11-03-2003, 02:50 PM	#14
jcab I need more money.... Join Date: Aug 2003 Location: Winnipeg, Manitoba, Canada Posts: 145	VTKidder, finding a SWB parts truck, would be the best solution, but the ones I have seen so far are $$$ which is why I was contemplating hacking up the LWB bed. Oh well. As always, thanks for all the input guys! __________________ Jay. '68 LWB C10 '74 Duster ("It's not Rusted out, it's been modified for weight reduction") '91 Civic '97 Saturn '88 Celica AWD turbo (R.I.P.) 273 hp Mustang Killer

11-04-2003, 01:46 AM	#15
Nate003 Registered User Join Date: Oct 2002 Location: Bremerton Wa Posts: 124	hey wes, i might be interested in that bed, you got any more pics of it, is it a metal floor? and is there any rust. thanks



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11-04-2003, 08:59 AM	#16
VTKidder Registered User Join Date: May 2003 Location: Vermont Posts: 996	Heck, you might as well make one helluva road trip and drive to Vermont and get my box from me! There are a few within a couple hours for around $300-$400 that are workable. I wish someone made new bed floors, because with a good floor, you can build a brand spankin new bed for around $1,200 (plus the floor to start with). Hands down the way to go for someone who's going to drive the truck until they're 80!

11-04-2003, 09:08 AM	#17
Blue Beard Registered User Join Date: Jan 2003 Location: Washington State Posts: 8,834	You might try the Classic Truck or Custom Classic Truck site for back issue articles....I know they had one on shortening the frame......... __________________ 1970 Chev CST 2003 Harley Fatboy 1975 Chevrolet Step Van 1956 Chev Bel Air 1977 Blazer 2WD For Sale $3000.00 1978 Blazer 2WD For Sale $7000.00 1978 Silverado 2005 Monte Carlo

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