It's Bed Time... Question

[Gregski]

As my search for a short bed pre smog (1973-75) pickup continues, I am wondering if the ad says 1 ton I can just assume it's a long bed or if there were any 1 tonners out there with short boxes. Same goes for the 3/4 ton trucks, were they all long beds?

Thank you
G

[Tx Firefighter]

No short bed 1 tons, or 3/4 tons for that matter.

[Ziegelsteinfaust]

I called the DMV a few months ago, and asked a few questions about projects I had in mind for my C20. If you convert your truck to a C10 you can have it re weighed, and have your registration lowered.

Also better versions of the C20 are easily available compared to C10 rcsb's. So if you have a custom truck in mind it could be a cheaper starting point.

[tinydb84]

I got a C20 in great condition for about half the price a short bed would have run. Debating converting it to a short or medium length bed.

[Gregski]

Originally Posted by tinydb84

I got a C20 in great condition for about half the price a short bed would have run. Debating converting it to a short or medium length bed.

have you seen the Stacey David conversion on GearZ

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=O9zy08qsahk

[tinydb84]

I have. Saw them do it on Car Fix too. Google Slaughter house shlong bed. That's what I'm thinking

[piecesparts]

There are special order vehicles out there. In the old days, you could order your truck how you wanted it. If you wanted a short bed with 3/4 ton springs, axles and support components, it was possible. I have seen it. It was a vehicle built for the wildlife organization, but it does exist.

[Gregski]

thank you all for replying, now that I bought my 1974 GMC 1500, the short bed is all rusted out, it has the metal bottom not wood, question is: Is the bottom metal piece welded in, riveted in, or just bolted down? I am thinking about going to our local Pick n Pull and yankin one out to replace it with, and would like to know what I am getting into, haven't examined mine too much yet cause of the rust and a rubber mat covering it all.

[1774btcrew]

If you can buy the whole bed relatively cheap it will be to your advantage to buy it and take it home to disassemble. It CAN be done at the wrecking yard but there are a TON of bolts and a large part of them must be done by hand. I have done it but it isn't fun. The easiest approach if you are going to do it at the yard is to unbolt the bed and slide it back from the cab so you can get the to front bolts on the header/front bed panel. The unbolt the sides. There ARE tack welds at the rear corner stake pockets. Most of the time they are covered in seam sealer so you will have to scrape it off to see the welds. A good chisel will break them. It is a lot of work at the junkyard. It is nice to do it at home with proper tools, shade, etc. I am currently working on purchasing a wood bed floor out of a 73 at the wrecking yard. I am going to try and get them to discount the bed price as the sides are dented and wheel lips are rusted. Hope this helps.

[Gregski]

good stuff, I have a Pick N Pull buddy who owes me for helping him pull a Mopar 360 out of a truck earlier this month, so maybe the two of us and a bunch of cold waters can get 'er done! I can't afford a whole bed

[1774btcrew]

Originally Posted by Gregski

good stuff, I have a Pick N Pull buddy who owes me for helping him pull a Mopar 360 out of a truck earlier this month, so maybe the two of us and a bunch of cold waters can get 'er done! I can't afford a whole bed

I know how it goes being on a budget! Do yourself a favor and chisel the welds BEFORE unboltng the bedsides. It with make it easier.