"progress" on my longbed to shortbed project..

[murdoc]

so after having already shortened the frame on my truck years ago, I have been struggling trying to find a shortbed to put on it. the long bed i had was beyond repair or shortening, being far too dented and rusted to make it worth the effort. I located a good drivers short fleet bedside, and an excellent pass. side long fleet bedside. here are some pics of what i have done so far....


heres the bed mocked up more or less. ive found it very hard to align the cut bedside parts to each other for welding unless everything is more less sitting as it will be when its all put together.


I feel pretty good about the way the inside here, its all matching up perfectly.


the best about this side is that there are not dents on it and it still bears the original paint.


ill cut and weld any day before ill fill a bedside up with bondo.


this end is a bit worse. as you can see the cut wasnt as good and it needed to be. ill have to adress this a bit farther down the road.


Anyways, I hope this is useful to someone. I havent really read up on the proper way to do this, so I am learning as i go. Any tips, pointers or sympathies would be appreciated.

[scotts62]

Cool! Nice work. have you started a build thread to keep all the progress together?

[flips72]

not sure if you know this i didnt until capt. fab told me the longbed has a bigger wheel well opening than the shortbed. i was going to do the same thing and still might have to but it will have to be cut in the center as well to match.

[glendale]

Originally Posted by flips72

not sure if you know this i didnt until capt. fab told me the longbed has a bigger wheel well opening than the shortbed. i was going to do the same thing and still might have to but it will have to be cut in the center as well to match.

yep x2 check the wheelwells.

[murdoc]

Scotts62: I haven't yet but i might make this one the beginning of one...

I seriously didnt know there was a difference between the wheel spacings. so am i dont for? did i just destroy a perfectly good long bedside? Where do I need to measure?

[Chapstr's65]

Originally Posted by murdoc

Scotts62: I haven't yet but i might make this one the beginning of one...

I seriously didnt know there was a difference between the wheel spacings. so am i dont for? did i just destroy a perfectly good long bedside? Where do I need to measure?

Do you still have the old long bed sides. Just cut the wheel opening out of it and put it in place of your short side opening. I wanna say they are like 3" in difference
Posted via Mobile Device

[TagMan]

Those welding clamps can be purchased at Harbor Freight or, if you want to spend triple the price for the exact same clamp, Eastwood sells them.

[chevy_man5]

Murdoc,

Is that the long bed side you got from me? If so, I have it's mate still sitting out here!

[chevy_man5]

No problem!! We appreciate your donation for the contribution!! The heater controls will work nicely. If you need the drivers side, let me know. It is just sitting out there, all lonely, getting rustier and rustier. I'm sure we can work out another trade!!

[ChevyTruckGuy]

I too think the long wheel base on the shorties look better... If I was to cut my LB down I would keep the original LB spacing........

It looks good but it also looks like a lot of hard work.......

[socaljess]

looks good keep us updated