Stepside to Fleetside and Shortening?

[Chance72]

Alright guys, I've been looking to trade my stepside for a fleet and havnt really came across any deals. A guy just contacted me about him having a longbed. It's in pretty good shape, but what would I have to go through to get the bed shortened. I wouldn't even know where to start. What kind of price range will a shop say the work will be? I have metal skills and all and if i think I can do it, I'll probably try but would probably more like a pro to do it. Thanks guys
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[sickboy_1456]

I debated on the same thing when I shortened mine. The hardest part is finally building the guts to cut into it. Once I finally went for it...it wasn't that bad at all. Just measure, measure, and measure again. Then cut. I bought some cheap panel clamps from Harbor Freight, got it lined up and started tacking. Had some gapping issues from a few out of line cuts, but nothing a little patience and a few more tacks couldn't fix. Just take your time and knock it out. Easily done over a weekend.

[billd5string]

Originally Posted by sickboy_1456

I debated on the same thing when I shortened mine. The hardest part is finally building the guts to cut into it. Once I finally went for it...it wasn't that bad at all. Just measure, measure, and measure again. Then cut. I bought some cheap panel clamps from Harbor Freight, got it lined up and started tacking. Had some gapping issues from a few out of line cuts, but nothing a little patience and a few more tacks couldn't fix. Just take your time and knock it out. Easily done over a weekend.

Do you have any pictures of that? I'd love to see how it came out - it sounds like a cool project.

[sickboy_1456]

Here's a few that I have on my phone. Nothing professional, but it came out pretty good once the welds were ground down, etc.

[LostMy65]

Originally Posted by sickboy_1456

Here's a few that I have on my phone. Nothing professional, but it came out pretty good once the welds were ground down, etc.

Looks good.
I have a longbed I want to do.
Did you run into any unexpected issues?
Any tips?
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[Chance72]

Originally Posted by sickboy_1456

Here's a few that I have on my phone. Nothing professional, but it came out pretty good once the welds were ground down, etc.

Do you have any more pictures of the process? And like LostMy65, any problems or tips?

[sickboy_1456]

I basically just took some good painters tape and laid it down about 3" from the forward stake pocket down the side of the bed. Keeping it as straight as possible. Then measured exactly 12" from the edge of the tape line and laid down the second strip of tape. Make sure you have 12" all the way down. Adjust your tape as needed. Do the same for both sides of the bed. I used a saw zaw to make my cut, but its a little tricky to get a straight line. Take your time cutting down the panel. Follow your tape line as best as you can. Remove the section cut out and discard.

Then work your way to rear of the bed. I measured 3" from the rear stake picked and laid my first tape line. Measure 8" and lay down your second tape line. Then cut. Again, the key is measuring over and over again before you cut.
Once everything is cut, grind down any burrs or crooked spots in your cut. Then bring the pieces back together. Having someone to help line the panels up goes a long way. Clamp in place and place a few tack welds. Double check the body lines and continue tack welding. Be sure to jump around between tacks to ensure the panel doesn't warp from the heat. If it does, you can bang it out with a hammer and dolly, but try to avoid it. I wish I had more pics, but this is pretty much how it went. Like I said, just take it slow and don't drink too much!!!
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[sickboy_1456]

One more...

[Chance72]

It seems like its gonna be a tuff job for me... Ive got some skills but I don't know if Ive got the guts to trade my step bed for the longbed then do it and mess up then im out a bed. Do any of you guys know what an average price a shop would put on cutting a longbed?

[Chance72]

Thanks for that info. I'm gonna have to really think it through. What do y'all think? I want a fleetside, should I try my luck and wait for a short fleet somewhere or should I get this longbed and cut it? I'm only 16 so the drinking really isn't a problem for me lol but I still don't know about it
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[LostMy65]

The question is; how much does this longbed cost? Any more than $300 and I'd be really apprehensive. Don't let the anxiousness of wanting it now push you to do something if your not comfortable.
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[Chance72]

Originally Posted by LostMy65

The question is; how much does this longbed cost? Any more than $300 and I'd be really apprehensive. Don't let the anxiousness of wanting it now push you to do something if your not comfortable.
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I would be trading my short stepside bed for the longbed fleetside. My stepside has some usual rust down lower on the bottom of the fenders, i dont think the longbed has that much rust. Heres the only pic i have of it right now...
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[Chance72]

What do yall think of the longbed? It looks pretty nice to me. And I know how to barter alot so I could probably get something else in the deal, like the trim for it and to the front.

[faribran]

i think that longbed looks like the perfect candidate.......... i say run with it.

[Chance72]

I'm gonna be going to the yard today if I can and see if there's any shortbed fleets out there. Maybe I can talk to the guy at the yard and instead of me buying it I just trade him the stepside I have now? Lol if all fails I'm gonna have a huge project on my hands. What welders are you guys using to weld to the metal? My friend has a Hobart 190 welding machine, I don't know if his will work for the thin metal or not. Any info on this?
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[Chevy Fleetside]

I think i will be taking on a long to short bed cut. I have two short beds and if I take both I can get a decent one but I need two of them. I was selling the long bed but it is pretty nice so I think I will cut it down and make it a short bed. Just takes alot of time.
I will take pics but I just don't know when i will get to it.

[Chance72]

Well i went to the yard yesterday and found a sweet short fleet. No rust, small ding on top, and what i like is whoever had that truck put some kind of rubberized paint on it so if i peel it off the original white underneath looks pretty good! Guy said he wants 550 for it but would like to see my stepside and can trade for it. Woohoo!
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[Chance72]

This is the truck that has the bed I might be trading for...