1965 long bed to short bed...opinions please!

[scarabsport]

Hi,
I need opinions on converting my recently purchased 1965 Custom cab, BBW long bed to a short bed.
I watched "all" the video's (Youtube and truck shows on TV and online archives) also read the Googled articles on this conversion.
I have the tools and shop to do the work. No time restraints.
Has anyone done it that has input?
Would they do it again?
Any and all info is greatly appreciated.
Thanks in advance,
Dan

[bonehead]

I Love long beds... Don't do it Dan, don't cut that cool truck in half! FWIW

[Realnoisy]

From what I understand, the rear wheel openings are different on long beds compared to short-beds.

[Fatherof3]

What are your plans for lowering it?
If they sit high I like them better as long beds and lowered better as short beds.

[OARNGESI]

just cut it worse case scenario you find a swb frame and bed and swap all your parts over. personally I don't see any point in spending any money fixing up a lwb when you really want a swb.

[scarabsport]

Originally Posted by Realnoisy

From what I understand, the rear wheel openings are different on long beds compared to short-beds.

Not positive but, I thought the "wheel arches" are the same between long or short beds. Parts houses (LMC, Classic Ind, etc) don't show different panels that denote long or short beds.
Anyone...I'm I correct?
Thanks again,
Dan

[ol_skool_chevy]

I have done it...on 2 trucks. Yes I would do it again. why would I do it again?. Because the first one I have never had done it before. The second one, I did to help a friend do his. Now we both are not intimidated to try new things. Plus, it just plan looks cool with those big Ass wheel openings.
Get out your torch and start cutting. if you make a mistake there's thousands more long beds out there to fix it.
When your done you can stand back and feel pround you did it yourself...

[Realnoisy]

Originally Posted by scarabsport

Not positive but, I thought the "wheel arches" are the same between long or short beds. Parts houses (LMC, Classic Ind, etc) don't show different panels that denote long or short beds.
Anyone...I'm I correct?
Thanks again,
Dan

Check out this link.... http://67-72chevytrucks.com/vboard/s...=wheel+opening.

[Realnoisy]

Originally Posted by ol_skool_chevy

I have done it...on 2 trucks. Yes I would do it again. why would I do it again?. Because the first one I have never had done it before. The second one, I did to help a friend do his. Now we both are not intimidated to try new things. Plus, it just plan looks cool with those big Ass wheel openings.
Get out your torch and start cutting. if you make a mistake there's thousands more long beds out there to fix it.
When your done you can stand back and feel pround you did it yourself...

That's the way I do things! It takes me a lot longer than most guys on here to get where I want to be.

[jhrusk]

I shortened the one in my build thread, I would do it again for a non original type truck, but I would not for a stock type resto. And yes the wheel arches are appr.3" wider at the bottom than a normal short bed.

[joeydirt]

does anyone know if the 12"/8" cut still works on longbed steps? Are the fender wheel openings the same on lwbss and swbss rear fenders? I want to do perform this surgery on my long step this summer. On the lwbss the wheel sits back in the opening and on the swbss its more centered. I just want to make sure that after doing the 12/8 cut that swb trailing arms put the wheels in the right spot.

[DPowers]

Your truck- your decision.

[Shooters_7]

Go buy a frame and bed and sell the ones your not using... I'd restore the truck as is. How about some more pics of the truck?

[LEEVON]

You can always shorten the frame, and use new swb bedsides.

[chevycowboy1985]

Hey I'm in the process of doing one right now and I would do it again something are little tough to figure out but it's worth it and I would do it again no problem.

[LostMy65]

I'll be doing a medium bed. A 7 footer.
To me; 6 ft is too short and 8 ft is too long.
There's a thread in these forums with pics.

[Budman56]

Here on gears stacy cut a long bed down to a short bed

LMC Truck: Shortbed Conversion [S7 Ep. 3-1] -...

LMC Truck: Shortbed Conversion [S7 Ep. 3-3] -...

65Chevy pickup Longbed to Shortbed - YouTube

[Budman56]

Here is another one

65Chevy pickup Longbed to Shortbed - YouTube

[pdxhall]

Long and low is the only way to go.

[Leroy-B1]

Bottom line is it's your truck and you should be able to have what you want...some guys are short bed guys and some are not...that being said...if you start to shorten it do not stop until you finish it..all to often I see people start conversion or something drastic on a project and it end up on Craigslist in a heap nobody would own.....if you start it just finish it otherwise leave it alone...but I'm like you I prefer short beds unless I'm using it for work, but these truck are my toys...Are you wanting to keep the patina?

[62 Barnfind]

I say do it. When i get another 60-66 it most likely be a long bed. Just because there are more of them out there. I too will convert it to a short bed. If you have the time and know how do it. It's your truck so do what you feel! Good luck!

[b.sharp]

I wish you were closer. I would trade you a short bed for that long bed. I have an extra and just picked up a 3/4t and it needs a bed. you can shorten them but it is pretty hard to make them longer...

[scarabsport]

I think I like the medium bed look also.
Does a true factory short bed measure 6 foot (72 inches) inside the bed from front panel to inside tailgate?
thanks,
Dan

[argonaut]

Pretty sure it's 6'6" from front panel to inside of tailgate. The wood is about 77".

[Bomp]

I shortened my '66 box first thing. Wanted to have the bigger wheel opening to show off my 22's.
I'd do it again. I even have a '72 box waiting for its turn.
Go for it!