LWB: Should I shorten or keep it - The 1947 - Present Chevrolet & GMC Truck Message Board Network

8t5Silverado · 01-09-2004, 03:28 PM

Here's my question.

Should I bother building a 4/5 dropped longbed or should I go ahead and make it a shortbed since I need new bedsides anyway?

(i don't know if I will find a short frame or cut mine up...)

*Zilverado* · 01-09-2004, 03:48 PM

As I have said many times before - personally I like LWB trucks, sitting at stock height or higher. But if I can't convince you to raise it, I'd say shorten it.

IMO SWB trucks look better dropped than LWB's.

Just my $.02 though.

bigblock73 · 01-09-2004, 03:52 PM

It would be ALOT of work to shorted your lwb. As you mentioned, you would need new bedsides...then you'd need a new bed floor (expensive) PLUS you would need to shorted the frame...and unless you can weld that might be expensive as well.

I say if you want a dropped truck, buy a swb...lwb trucks don't look very nice lowered (just my opinion).

Slonaker · 01-09-2004, 04:34 PM

Sport truck Direct has a good pic of a dropped longbed if anyone is wondering how they look.

http://sporttruckdirect.com/Pics/85_..._Truck_Big.jpg

From this page:

http://sporttruckdirect.com/C10_kits.html

Slonaker

Stingray42 · 01-09-2004, 07:35 PM

The longer it is...the lower it looks......

**old Rusty C10** · 01-09-2004, 08:32 PM

either leave it LWB or buy a SWB frame and start shifting stuff over. i really dont think its a good idea to shorten a truck at all

*1972C10* · 01-09-2004, 09:29 PM

Pretty easy to shorten a frame if you've got an extra LWB frame and know how much to take out the middle and how much to take off the rear.

76HighSierra · 01-09-2004, 10:28 PM

It's not wise to fully cross-section our trucks' frame and shorten OR (for whatever reason) lengthen it. There is a high percentage of spring steel in these frames and they do NO respond well to excess heat that would be produced by welding. Notching a frame is one thing, but cross-sectioning it is not smart. Generally the heat drastically weakens the steel and makes it prone to cracking. I have seen this done before, but without fail, under constant heavy usage, the frames crack. If you plan on using your truck for what it was designed for, get another frame.

shavedchevy · 01-09-2004, 10:48 PM

long and low is the way to go

8t5Silverado · 01-12-2004, 03:06 PM

Thanks for the info.

I can do the welding and need new bedsides anyway, but I wonder if I can get everything square.

I think I will lower the lwb and maybe look into finding a SWB frame or even a complete SWB in the future.

I will just buy only parts that can be transferred over to a SWB later (just about everything but bedsides...)

Thanks.

8t5Silverado · 01-12-2004, 03:11 PM

I think 67-72 longbeds look good low, but I am not so sure about the 73-87s.

This one looks decent:

*1FaastC10* · 01-12-2004, 06:26 PM

if i remember correctly that one is 4/5 too.

*1972C10* · 01-12-2004, 09:54 PM

Quote:

Originally posted by 8t5Silverado
Thanks for the info.

I can do the welding and need new bedsides anyway, but I wonder if I can get everything square.

I think I will lower the lwb and maybe look into finding a SWB frame or even a complete SWB in the future.

I will just buy only parts that can be transferred over to a SWB later (just about everything but bedsides...)

Thanks.

Its pretty easy if the truck isnt on it i woudlnt think too much of shortenin it with the cab and stuff on it . i cut one down and plated it where it was cut and i cut it so it zig zaged back together so far so good main thing is getting it clamped up good and sqaure and takin plenty of diagonal measurements to insure sqaureness.

*1tonswb* · 01-13-2004, 12:43 AM

Shorten it!! I did mine. Took 14 inches out of the center of the frame and 6 inches off the back. Done it 6 years ago and have never had a problem with it.

*1972C10* · 01-13-2004, 05:55 AM

Quote:

Originally posted by 1tonswb
Shorten it!! I did mine. Took 14 inches out of the center of the frame and 6 inches off the back. Done it 6 years ago and have never had a problem with it.

Is that the formula for a longbed 73-87 i shortened a 72 but its 12 and 6 after doing that did everything go back on or did you have to make a new rear hole for the bed?

*1tonswb* · 01-14-2004, 02:13 AM

Did not have to make a new hole for the bed. Short box's dont have the rear holes. Yes, it was 14 out of the center and 6 off the back. Fairly easy as long as you know what your doing. The only regret I have is I went from 20 gallon tanks to 16 gallon tanks. Not really that big of a deal though. I gained more than I lost.

*1972C10* · 01-14-2004, 05:39 AM

Yeah i cut one and plated it where it was cut havent had any probs but i did a 72 and i had to make new holes for the rear of the bed but other than that no big deal . I havent had the chance to shorten a 73-87 but now i know the dimensions thanks..!

ItsNotABlazer · 01-14-2004, 03:14 PM

Not sure where you are from but I have a 74 shortbed frame I would let you have if you come get it. I am near Paris 100 miles NE of Dallas if you are interested. I have listed it on here a few times in the past but no real interest.

Brad

8t5Silverado · 01-14-2004, 03:29 PM

Thanks, I would take you up on it if you were closer. I am in St. Louis.
I could just see explaining to my wife where I would be going and for what reason...

8t5Silverado · 03-08-2004, 01:02 AM

I am reconsidering doing this...any thoughts.

79BIG10 · 03-08-2004, 01:31 PM

Keep it long. How many trucks out there you see are SWB lowered versus LWB lowered? If you want to lower it then keep it long and low. If I was into the lowered trucks I'd do that to my LWB.

Destructo · 03-08-2004, 03:24 PM

I think a lowered long-bed looks pretty good, but in order to keep it looking good they need bigger wheels. The smaller wheels don't look good with a lowered longbed.

01-09-2004, 03:28 PM	#1
8t5Silverado Mudslides 'r my specialty Join Date: Dec 2003 Location: STL Posts: 1,106	LWB: Should I shorten or keep it Here's my question. Should I bother building a 4/5 dropped longbed or should I go ahead and make it a shortbed since I need new bedsides anyway? (i don't know if I will find a short frame or cut mine up...)

01-09-2004, 03:52 PM	#3
bigblock73 yeller Join Date: Oct 2001 Location: Twin Cities Posts: 13,826	It would be ALOT of work to shorted your lwb. As you mentioned, you would need new bedsides...then you'd need a new bed floor (expensive) PLUS you would need to shorted the frame...and unless you can weld that might be expensive as well. I say if you want a dropped truck, buy a swb...lwb trucks don't look very nice lowered (just my opinion). __________________ Jeff 73-87.com 73-87.com Facebook page 73-87 cab corner 6x9 speaker brackets for sale 67-72 cab corner speaker brackets for sale 47-54 cab corner speaker brackets for sale

01-09-2004, 04:34 PM	#4
Slonaker Insert Witty Text Here Join Date: Oct 2002 Location: San Antonio, TX Posts: 3,415	Sport truck Direct has a good pic of a dropped longbed if anyone is wondering how they look. http://sporttruckdirect.com/Pics/85_..._Truck_Big.jpg From this page: http://sporttruckdirect.com/C10_kits.html Slonaker __________________ '86 Chevy C10 (Sold 04/19/13 ) Stock '01 Silverado

01-09-2004, 07:35 PM	#5
Stingray42 Woot. Join Date: Jan 2003 Location: Stouffville, Ontario Posts: 2,291	The longer it is...the lower it looks...... __________________ Clarkson 96 Chevy RCLB 4.3 2WD

01-09-2004, 08:32 PM	#6
old Rusty C10 Robert Olson Transport Join Date: Oct 2002 Location: recent transplant to NC USA Posts: 20,280	either leave it LWB or buy a SWB frame and start shifting stuff over. i really dont think its a good idea to shorten a truck at all __________________ Bob 1951 International running on a squarebody chassis "If a man's worth is judged by the people he associates himself with, then i am the richest man in the world knowing some of the fine people of this board" http://67-72chevytrucks.com/vboard/a...t.php?f=25&a=9 (you can review the site rules here!) PM Me for your vehicle/parts hauling needs in the North East US or see my Facebook page Robert Olson Transport Live each day to the fullest.. you never know when fate is going to pull the rug out from under you... I hate cancer!!

01-09-2004, 03:48 PM	#2
Zilverado Account Suspended Join Date: Nov 2002 Location: Winnipeg, Manitoba, Canada Posts: 798	As I have said many times before - personally I like LWB trucks, sitting at stock height or higher. But if I can't convince you to raise it, I'd say shorten it. IMO SWB trucks look better dropped than LWB's. Just my $.02 though.

01-09-2004, 09:29 PM	#7
1972C10 Account Suspended Join Date: Dec 2003 Location: Texas Posts: 2,686	Pretty easy to shorten a frame if you've got an extra LWB frame and know how much to take out the middle and how much to take off the rear.

01-09-2004, 10:28 PM	#8
76HighSierra DAMN, I love Big Blocks! Join Date: Aug 2003 Location: New Mexico, USA Posts: 619	It's not wise to fully cross-section our trucks' frame and shorten OR (for whatever reason) lengthen it. There is a high percentage of spring steel in these frames and they do NO respond well to excess heat that would be produced by welding. Notching a frame is one thing, but cross-sectioning it is not smart. Generally the heat drastically weakens the steel and makes it prone to cracking. I have seen this done before, but without fail, under constant heavy usage, the frames crack. If you plan on using your truck for what it was designed for, get another frame. __________________ Marc Bona Hobbs, New Mexico 1976 1/2 ton GMC High Sierra. 454 c.i.d./ TH400. *Soon to get a mild warming over.* 3.40 rear.

01-09-2004, 10:48 PM	#9
shavedchevy Registered User Join Date: Nov 2003 Location: Edmonton, Alberta, Canada Posts: 315	long and low is the way to go __________________ Dennis

01-12-2004, 03:06 PM	#10
8t5Silverado Mudslides 'r my specialty Join Date: Dec 2003 Location: STL Posts: 1,106	Thanks for the info. I can do the welding and need new bedsides anyway, but I wonder if I can get everything square. I think I will lower the lwb and maybe look into finding a SWB frame or even a complete SWB in the future. I will just buy only parts that can be transferred over to a SWB later (just about everything but bedsides...) Thanks.

01-12-2004, 03:11 PM	#11
8t5Silverado Mudslides 'r my specialty Join Date: Dec 2003 Location: STL Posts: 1,106	I think 67-72 longbeds look good low, but I am not so sure about the 73-87s. This one looks decent: Attached Images

01-12-2004, 06:26 PM	#12
1FaastC10 Account Suspended Join Date: Oct 2002 Location: Elkhart, IN Posts: 6,400	if i remember correctly that one is 4/5 too.

01-13-2004, 12:43 AM	#14
1tonswb Account Suspended Join Date: Nov 2003 Location: Oregon Posts: 300	Shorten it!! I did mine. Took 14 inches out of the center of the frame and 6 inches off the back. Done it 6 years ago and have never had a problem with it.

01-14-2004, 02:13 AM	#16
1tonswb Account Suspended Join Date: Nov 2003 Location: Oregon Posts: 300	Did not have to make a new hole for the bed. Short box's dont have the rear holes. Yes, it was 14 out of the center and 6 off the back. Fairly easy as long as you know what your doing. The only regret I have is I went from 20 gallon tanks to 16 gallon tanks. Not really that big of a deal though. I gained more than I lost.

01-14-2004, 05:39 AM	#17
1972C10 Account Suspended Join Date: Dec 2003 Location: Texas Posts: 2,686	Yeah i cut one and plated it where it was cut havent had any probs but i did a 72 and i had to make new holes for the rear of the bed but other than that no big deal . I havent had the chance to shorten a 73-87 but now i know the dimensions thanks..!



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01-14-2004, 03:14 PM	#18
ItsNotABlazer The full convertible guy Join Date: Jul 2001 Location: Paris Texas Posts: 728	Not sure where you are from but I have a 74 shortbed frame I would let you have if you come get it. I am near Paris 100 miles NE of Dallas if you are interested. I have listed it on here a few times in the past but no real interest. Brad __________________ 2012 Kawasaki Vaquero (Lime Green) 2000 BMW 740iL 1995 Chevy ECSB riding on air 1975 GMC Jimmy 2WD lowered 4/6 1972 Chevy Trazer soon to be roadster 1965 Mustang 289/3 speed (friends dad bought it new) 1964 Chevy C10 (dad bought it new)

01-14-2004, 03:29 PM	#19
8t5Silverado Mudslides 'r my specialty Join Date: Dec 2003 Location: STL Posts: 1,106	Thanks, I would take you up on it if you were closer. I am in St. Louis. I could just see explaining to my wife where I would be going and for what reason...

03-08-2004, 01:02 AM	#20
8t5Silverado Mudslides 'r my specialty Join Date: Dec 2003 Location: STL Posts: 1,106	I am reconsidering doing this...any thoughts. __________________ Always on the lookout for old cars and parts...(20s, 30s, 40s, 50s, 60s, etc.) http://www.cardomain.com/memberpage/500339

03-08-2004, 01:31 PM	#21
79BIG10 I'm back with 2nd truck! Join Date: Feb 2002 Location: Texas Posts: 3,775	Keep it long. How many trucks out there you see are SWB lowered versus LWB lowered? If you want to lower it then keep it long and low. If I was into the lowered trucks I'd do that to my LWB. __________________ 1979 Chevrolet Bonanza Big10 "Tootsie Roll" 1985 Chevrolet Silverado (wife's) Member of the Southern Bowties Club "Don't underestimate how sexy a fat man who drinks to excess can be." Homer Simpson

03-08-2004, 03:24 PM	#22
Destructo Registered User Join Date: Sep 2003 Location: Lewisville, NC Posts: 1,836	I think a lowered long-bed looks pretty good, but in order to keep it looking good they need bigger wheels. The smaller wheels don't look good with a lowered longbed. __________________ 1985 Scottsdale Shortbed 4x4 Stout 350 with some "upgrades"-700r4-33x12.5" Mud Tires, Warn 8274-50 winch. 2005 Chevrolet Colorado Regular Cab 2wd 4-banger, 5 speed, Street Pack with 3.73 axle.

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