56 Longbed to shortbed

[TNBandit]

My 56 3200 series has the shorter of the 2 longbeds 123" wheelbase. I know about cutting 9 1/4" out of the frame just behind the cab but I have read some things about needing to cut some off the rear of the frame as well. Is this only needed with the extra long beds or will I have to do this as well. If so how much needs to be cut ? The rear fenders come almost to the end of the bed sides as it is so I can't imagine having to cut anything off the back but want to be sure. Here's a pic.

[G&R's57GMC]

You will need to cut the front of the bed also. This will bring the rear of the bed forward and then you will see what needs to be done to the rear of the frame. You'll also have to replace the Left rear fender as the cutout for the spare will be wrong for the short bed as well as the mount.

I prefer the long bed for proportion to the head light hoods. The cab just seems too long for the short bed.

[Katrina/10]

I prefer the long bed for proportion to the head light hoods. The cab just seems too long for the short bed.[/QUOTE]

Based on your pictures, I'm starting to agree with you.

[TNBandit]

Originally Posted by Katrina/10

I prefer the long bed for proportion to the head light hoods. The cab just seems too long for the short bed.

Based on your pictures, I'm starting to agree with you.[/QUOTE] Decisions decisions.. Not at the point where I have to make up my mind yet since I'm still fixing extensive rust in the cab and gathering parts. From a strictly budget minded point of view the cost to me will be a toss up. My left side panel (longbed) can be fixed, the right side is junk, left step is ok, right side is junk. Longbed sides are damned expensive for the repros but shortbed sides seem to be easier to find so buying 2 of those will cost about the same as buying one longbed right side. I could even shorten my left side and save a couple bucks. Got some really nice rear fenders a couple weeks ago and those are all the same. Headboard & tailgate on mine are pretty crusty but those are the same either way as well. It's rough trying to build a truck on a tight budget but I have plenty of spare time so it dosn't matter how long it takes.

[Katrina/10]

Originally Posted by TNBandit

Based on your pictures, I'm starting to agree with you.

Decisions decisions.. Not at the point where I have to make up my mind yet since I'm still fixing extensive rust in the cab and gathering parts. From a strictly budget minded point of view the cost to me will be a toss up. My left side panel (longbed) can be fixed, the right side is junk, left step is ok, right side is junk. Longbed sides are damned expensive for the repros but shortbed sides seem to be easier to find so buying 2 of those will cost about the same as buying one longbed right side. I could even shorten my left side and save a couple bucks. Got some really nice rear fenders a couple weeks ago and those are all the same. Headboard & tailgate on mine are pretty crusty but those are the same either way as well. It's rough trying to build a truck on a tight budget but I have plenty of spare time so it dosn't matter how long it takes.[/QUOTE]

I was trying to quote G&Rs, but I messed it up. Anyway, with your situation you may want to make your decision based on the availability of parts you can find. I still prefer short beds to long beds, but I understand what the other guys were talking about with proportions.

The stepside beds were the same up to 66, so maybe you can find a newer one that is in better shape.

[mr48chev]

I'd want to think that you didn't have any left to cut off behind the rear fenders now.
I posted a couple of photos a couple of years ago showing the difference and that may have been the long long bed.

The one that needs to be cut off a few inches extends out like this.


Link to a side shot of a nice 56 shortie that shows how much sticks out in front and rear of the fenders real well. He sells photos so I didn't copy it. http://www.flickriver.com/photos/kneebeau/5770545345/

[TNBandit]

Originally Posted by mr48chev

I'd want to think that you didn't have any left to cut off behind the rear fenders now.
I posted a couple of photos a couple of years ago showing the difference and that may have been the long long bed.

The one that needs to be cut off a few inches extends out like this.


Link to a side shot of a nice 56 shortie that shows how much sticks out in front and rear of the fenders real well. He sells photos so I didn't copy it. http://www.flickriver.com/photos/kneebeau/5770545345/

Yep. We must have been posting at the same time. Thanks. In any case no matter which way I go with it the side mounted spare is history.. LoL

[TNBandit]

I'm still on the fence about doing the conversion or not and my bed sides are pretty rough so I will likely need to replace them regardless of which way I go. Other than the sides all the bed parts are the same. I get the the front of the bed sides have to be 9 1/4" shorter if I take that amount out of the front of the frame and there are multiple threads on how to do that. What isn't clear is what happens at the very back. If you look at both pics you posted the distance from the rear of the fenders to the very back of the bed is the same. If that's the case then I can't see why anything would need to be cut off the back of the frame. I am thinking that's only an issue on trucks with the super long bed like this pic but am looking for clarification from guys who have done it. As you can see in this picture, this bed is longer behind the fenders as well as in front of them. My bed is not like that.

[mr48chev]

If you were closer a guy has a pretty nice later model shortbed that is the right one for your truck on the local craigslist for 150 bucks http://yakima.craigslist.org/pts/4019768360.html

[TNBandit]

Originally Posted by mr48chev

If you were closer a guy has a pretty nice later model shortbed that is the right one for your truck on the local craigslist for 150 bucks http://yakima.craigslist.org/pts/4019768360.html

Holy hell are they really the same up into the 80s other than the fenders ? Everything I'm seeing in the catalogs cuts them off at 66 ?

[mr48chev]

I'm not sure what the differences are after 66. The fenders changed but I didn't think the boxes changed much.

I saw a woman towing a trailer made out of one a few weeks ago that looked better than most you see on trucks running around.

[mr48chev]

Looking at the Eckler's site there are some subtle differences between the The 55-59 and the 60-66 bed sides that might not actually show with the fenders on.
http://www.ecklerstrucks.com/catalog...side+truck&p=3
I'm wondering if the bolt pattern for the fenders might have changed slightly after 1966

[Flames97]

I also had the shorter of the two long beds. It wasn't in great shape so I just bought a new short bed.
But I do remember that there was a little extra behind the rear fender compared to the short box, not sure the exact amount.
And now that I think about it I think I did cut some off the end of the Long bed frame but again the exact amount I can't remember. Something like only 2 or 3" but again not for sure.
Posted via Mobile Device

[_Ogre]

imo... i'd leave it long. the more i see them, the more i like the long beds.
obviously i like the fender mounted spares too, gives you room to move the fuel tank.

[Garys8]

Originally Posted by _Ogre

imo... i'd leave it long. the more i see them, the more i like the long beds.
obviously i like the fender mounted spares too, gives you room to move the fuel tank.

Agreed

[G&R's57GMC]

Ya, the side mount is a great way to have a spare.

Those are 265/70R 16's they are 30" diameter .

Gee a short bed with rear mount fuel tank and you can fill your bed with a spare or run without one.

[Roadkill58]

The bed on mine must be a longer bed as it has more bed to the rear of the fenders.

The steps on mine are a lot longer than a shortbed.

I was trying to find a picture of the way they did a 72 C-10 on Gears.

Of course you wouldn't cut it under the cab.

[Roadkill58]

Originally Posted by Roadkill58

The bed on mine must be a longer bed as it has more bed to the rear of the fenders.

The steps on mine are a lot longer than a shortbed.

I was trying to find a picture of the way they did a 72 C-10 on Gears.

Of course you wouldn't cut it under the cab.

I found a pic. This is a 64 chevy chassis.

[Roadkill58]

My long bed and short bed.

[TNBandit]

Originally Posted by Roadkill58

My long bed and short bed.

The first pic is a perfect example of the extra long longbed. I don't have that extra length behind the fenders. I see no logical reason why shortening my frame & bed would require messing with the back part of the frame. The fenders are almost touching the rear stake pockets and the bumper mounting holes in the frame are going to be the same distance from the center of the wheel well if the FRONT of the frame and the front of the bed are moved 9 1/2" forward. But I'm still not sure I'm gonna cut it....

[crossfire84]

Originally Posted by Roadkill58

My long bed and short bed.

roadkill58, you put an electric wench on your cherry picker? that is cool, i think I'm going to borrow that idea.

[Kim57]

Looks like a nice truck.
If it were mine I'd leave the frame alone and make it an extended cab with a shoet bed box.
Kim

[mr48chev]

As the the photo Roadkill58 58 showed you can cut the frame under the cab. You just have to move the rear cab mounts and bed mounts back to the proper spots. It may be prudent in many cases to do that as the frame rails may be more parallel with each other in that area. It also would allow you to lap the ends over each other to make a stronger joint as is shown in the photo.

On cutting the bed down to size it might be a good idea to find someone with a stock short bed box that you can take exact measurements off to be able to cut the box to size front and back if needed. use reference points like bolt holes for the fenders so you can get things exact.

[_Ogre]

task force trucks had 6, 7 and 8 ft beds
3100 is 1/2 ton 6 ft, 3200 1/2 ton 7 ft, 3600 3/4 ton 7 ft and 3800 1 ton 8 ft
7 ft beds are long in the step, 8 ft beds are long in the step and out back

none of those silly 4.5 ft beds on real trucks
my daily driver? 09 sierra extended cab, 8 ft bed.
would never own anything but an 8 ft bed for a dd

[TNBandit]

Originally Posted by _Ogre

task force trucks had 6, 7 and 8 ft beds
3100 is 1/2 ton 6 ft, 3200 1/2 ton 7 ft, 3600 3/4 ton 7 ft and 3800 1 ton 8 ft
7 ft beds are long in the step, 8 ft beds are long in the step and out back

none of those silly 4.5 ft beds on real trucks
my daily driver? 09 sierra extended cab, 8 ft bed.
would never own anything but an 8 ft bed for a dd

Thanks. That clears it up. Now if I could just make up my mind.. Still LOTS to do first though. Cab repair parts came today & I'm working on the left step at the moment.