how hard to convert ?? - The 1947 - Present Chevrolet & GMC Truck Message Board Network

chevykid04 · 08-29-2002, 12:40 PM

i was thinkin about making my long bed into a short bed ,how hard is this?? obviously a new box is needed and to chop the frame , and , move the axle forward??? i have no idea how to do it? anyone care to share how to do it?

T-man · 08-30-2002, 01:47 PM

A place in CA called Totally Polished has some great pics on their website on how to do this. They even show you how to cut down the bed. They have been featured in Truckin last month and the month before.

ebfabman · 08-30-2002, 10:46 PM

I would love to see how other people have done it. That shop's website won't come up. Anyway, do a search on this board, its been done many times with great results.

Here's a link with some pics
http://67-72chevytrucks.com/vboard/s...ut+their+frame

PushinPebbles · 08-30-2002, 11:11 PM

My dad has done it to a 68 LWB I belive he just cut the frame and drive shaft and of course all of the wires etc.
His instant message is hillbillyinva@aol.com

jiggs · 08-31-2002, 02:06 PM

The easiest way is to cut the frame ahead of the trailing arm crossover by 12". Then cut the frame at the very back by 8". The box will need to be cut the same way. By cutting ahead of the trailing arm crossover you don't have to move the rear suspension. Obviously fuel, brake lines, driveshaft, and wiring will need to be shortened as well.

I have also seen some people cut the frame 12.5" to decrease the space between the cab and the box. It looks a little cleaner that way.

*Fast68Chevy* · 09-08-2002, 02:56 AM

yes, but if you cut in front of carrier member the you'll mess up rear cab mounts location,

have to cut behind cab wall, 12" of it out and 8" off tail of chasiss as mentioned already

personally i would save time and trouble and safety risks by just buying a swb frame, seems everyone has one for sale for 100 bucks, are all over the place right now, including one here even,.,

ebfabman · 09-08-2002, 11:51 AM

Fast you are wrong. If you cut behind the cab you won't change the wheel base regardless of how much you take out, you will shorten the frame but the wheel base stays the same, unless you shorten the trailing arms (don't do that) Its much easier to take out the 12 inches from under the cab and move the cab mounts back 12 inches also.
If you compare a Lwb and a Swb frame (side by side) you will see that they would be identical if you shorten the lwb as described above.

Its not so easy to "just go out" and find a swb frame everywhere all the time and besides many times it will not be in as good of shape as your lwb. Soon this will be the only way to build a Swb truck.

08-29-2002, 12:40 PM	#1
chevykid04 4 speed, hurst shiftin Join Date: Jun 2002 Location: Hudson, Wi Posts: 405	how hard to convert ?? i was thinkin about making my long bed into a short bed ,how hard is this?? obviously a new box is needed and to chop the frame , and , move the axle forward??? i have no idea how to do it? anyone care to share how to do it? __________________ Shane 1970 Chevy C10

08-30-2002, 01:47 PM	#2
T-man Registered User Join Date: Jul 2002 Location: Massachusettes Posts: 22	A place in CA called Totally Polished has some great pics on their website on how to do this. They even show you how to cut down the bed. They have been featured in Truckin last month and the month before. __________________ Tristen '71 C-10 Shaved and ready to lay some DP-90

08-30-2002, 10:46 PM	#3
ebfabman Registered User Join Date: Nov 2001 Location: Concord, NC Posts: 2,488	I would love to see how other people have done it. That shop's website won't come up. Anyway, do a search on this board, its been done many times with great results. Here's a link with some pics http://67-72chevytrucks.com/vboard/s...ut+their+frame Last edited by ebfabman; 08-30-2002 at 11:34 PM.

08-30-2002, 11:11 PM	#4
PushinPebbles My dad's 68 Join Date: May 2002 Location: VA Posts: 444	My dad has done it to a 68 LWB I belive he just cut the frame and drive shaft and of course all of the wires etc. His instant message is hillbillyinva@aol.com __________________ Jack M. 67 C-10 SWB 355 built T-350 tranny hurst shifter 17x8in KMC's on michelins, clear tails and back up lights slammedUPDATE i have decided on my bag setup and will post further info when i recieve all the parts **************************** 88 1/2 ton suburban 4x4 350/700R-4having a 9 in lift w/ 38 in tires 4 12 inch Lightning Audios *************************** 87 silverado 3/4ton jacked up 10-12 inches black and rubberized bed coating 35 in michelans ************************** Dad's truck 68 C-10 stepside, 468 BB, tubbed, weld wheels, Nason black,lots more **************************** grand dads truck 68 C-10 stepside fuel inj. 350/700R-4soon in audi silver **************************** 84 toyota pickup 22R 5 speed 2WD slammed, shaved and all the body lines filled w/ buickGN scoop,bout to be sprayed in 2003 mustang green metallic w/ silver flames **************************** S/N=BIGGYTYME@aol.com (hydros) "No fat chics, truck will scrape"

08-31-2002, 02:06 PM	#5
jiggs poker face Join Date: Jul 2002 Location: Saskatoon, Saskatchewan Posts: 218	The easiest way is to cut the frame ahead of the trailing arm crossover by 12". Then cut the frame at the very back by 8". The box will need to be cut the same way. By cutting ahead of the trailing arm crossover you don't have to move the rear suspension. Obviously fuel, brake lines, driveshaft, and wiring will need to be shortened as well. I have also seen some people cut the frame 12.5" to decrease the space between the cab and the box. It looks a little cleaner that way. __________________ If you could kick the person in the *ss responsible for most of your trouble, you wouldn't sit for a month.

09-08-2002, 02:56 AM	#6
Fast68Chevy Account Suspended Join Date: May 2000 Location: IL Posts: 0	yes, but if you cut in front of carrier member the you'll mess up rear cab mounts location, have to cut behind cab wall, 12" of it out and 8" off tail of chasiss as mentioned already personally i would save time and trouble and safety risks by just buying a swb frame, seems everyone has one for sale for 100 bucks, are all over the place right now, including one here even,.,

09-08-2002, 11:51 AM	#7
ebfabman Registered User Join Date: Nov 2001 Location: Concord, NC Posts: 2,488	Fast you are wrong. If you cut behind the cab you won't change the wheel base regardless of how much you take out, you will shorten the frame but the wheel base stays the same, unless you shorten the trailing arms (don't do that) Its much easier to take out the 12 inches from under the cab and move the cab mounts back 12 inches also. If you compare a Lwb and a Swb frame (side by side) you will see that they would be identical if you shorten the lwb as described above. Its not so easy to "just go out" and find a swb frame everywhere all the time and besides many times it will not be in as good of shape as your lwb. Soon this will be the only way to build a Swb truck.

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