47-55.1 '50 3600 re-do. Shortening things up!

[mobileortho]

My truck was basically finished, but I can never leave well enough alone! Several weeks ago I replaced the leaf spring bearing...which led to wanting to flip the axle... which led to wanting to make it a short bed! I'll probably end up painting it as well! Hopefully I'll be road ready by the spring!

[mobileortho]

These are the c-notches I purchased. They were supposed to bolt on from the outside, but I decided to reverse them and install on the opposite side to serve as a box plate. Picking up a posi from a 68 Camaro tomorrow.

[mobileortho]

Picked up the rear end, only paid $75 for it! Posi with 3.23s but will probably swap them out for 3.73s. Gotta swap the disc brakes from my old one. Also started on the bedsides. Surprised to find all the rust. Thinking about only cutting off 8" off the bad sides (9" off the frame). The extra inch will bring it a little closer to the back of the cab to fill that void a bit.

[mobileortho]

Well to my surprise the rear end was an even better deal. Turns out that it’s not an 8.2 with 3.23’s, but an 8.5 with 3.73’s. I mocked it up the flip tonight and what a difference! The bedside is just hanging on there to give me an idea of what it’s going to look like but so far I like it!

[mobileortho]

Making some progress. Removed 9” and straight welded doesn’t the middle, then took the section that was removed used it to box that area.

[mobileortho]

Got the stake pocket removed and running board shortened. Some of the spot welds didn’t want to cooperate so I’ve got some holes to fill.

[mobileortho]

Mocking up the bed and see a couple of issues to deal with. With the axle flip, the rear of the fender rubs. I didn’t really pay much attention util now how much the back of the fender tapered.

I’ve also got to address the drive shaft. Besides needing it shortened, I see that it hits the rear crossmember & ebrake bar. I already had plans to remove the bar and reuse it for the upper shock crossbar. May have to notch the remaining crossmember.

[joedoh]

looking great! solving problems on the go too, we could hang out I think!

[mobileortho]

Definitely!

[mobileortho]

Been working on the shock mounts. Repurposed the ebrake bare to use for the upper shock mount.

[MiraclePieCo]

I once shortened a 3600 box to fit on an S10 frame. You're doing a nice job.

[mobileortho]

Originally Posted by MiraclePieCo

I once shortened a 3600 box to fit on an S10 frame. You're doing a nice job.

Thanks! It’s been a leaning experience for sure!

[mobileortho]

Just about finished with the shock mount, still figuring things out as I go along. One of which is the bed sides. I've always thought there was too much of a gap between the cab ad bed. I left an extra inch when I shortened it but think it could have been more. Also trying to decide if I'm going to add the stake pocket and if I do, I may weld the bolts to the bed panel then weld the pocket to cover them. The I know I won't be able to get to the long threaded bolt at the top of the panel but I don't think that ones necessary because the remaining 4 on each side are enough to hold the sides on with no problem.

[mobileortho]

Still working on the bed. I tacked the nuts as I mentioned before with plans to weld the stake pockets to hide them. I want to get them as close to the back of the cab as possible.

[mobileortho]

Wither the axle flip, the old rear tank I was using hung too low for my comfort. I opted to use the mustang tank and with minimum trimming on the frame, it’s a perfect fit. I also picked up the Spectra internal pump/sending unit (SP169A1H) to run the tpi.

[mobileortho]

Finally had some base time. Went a different route on the shocks. Hey were below the scubline so I had to mount them on the leaf springs. Also got the tank mounted. Built a frame out of 1” square tubing and slid it between the frame rails.

[mobileortho]

Making some progress. I was a bit concerned about getting the bed liner I’d sprayed on it stripped off bur a 60 grit flap wheel made short work of it.

[joedoh]

looking great! keep it up!

[oldman3]

Nice job...Jim

[mobileortho]

A few more mods. Rounded the bottom of the stake pockets and filled the gap at the top.

[Gregski]

Enjoying following along, great job, like the Mustang tank much better, thinking of switching to one myself, my Blazer tank hangs too low

[8man]

Nice work. The bed mods look great.

[mobileortho]

Thanks All for the encouragement. This has defiantly been a learning process. I've hit a significant snag that's has me wondering what to do. I noticed that there is a significant warp in the drivers side bed panel that I suspect developed when I was welding up the stake pocket. I tried heating and tapping it out but made it worse. Looks like I'll have to take it to a "professional" for some assistance.

[mobileortho]

Originally Posted by Gregski

Enjoying following along, great job, like the Mustang tank much better, thinking of switching to one myself, my Blazer tank hangs too low

This is the old tank I got from my brother. He was going to use it in his 68 but sold it. It worked fine, but after flipping the axle, it was to low for comfort. It’s almost twice as tall as the mustang tank.

[57tailgater]

What lights do you have on the end of the bed rails and how are they mounted? Looks pretty clean.