87 1/2 ton crewcab swb - The 1947 - Present Chevrolet & GMC Truck Message Board Network

tbirdman88 · 11-07-2006, 05:57 AM

Is there anyone else, besides me that has ,or is building a 73-90 1/2 ton shortbed crew cab.

87 shortcrewcab
donnie

**N2TRUX** · 11-08-2006, 09:46 AM

I think you are the only member building one. I know almost everyone on here would love to own one....

zden · 11-08-2006, 11:50 AM

i had an 89 a couple years ago that i converted from a 3/4 ton. i wish i had'nt sold it

Prerunner1982 · 11-08-2006, 12:54 PM

One of my project ideas is for a crewcab on a reg cab long bed 4x4 frame. I wouldnt be able to put a short wide bed on it, but it would definately be a short flat bed... a crew cab longbed is too long for any trails.. heck a reg cab long bed is still pushing it.. but atleast with the crewcab I could take the whole family and still have enough room on the flatbed for equipement. I think GM should have offered the crewcab shortbeds in this body style.. some people have families but still need to use a truck once in awhile...

60-66 Nut · 11-08-2006, 05:01 PM

A member named OJOE was supposed to be starting one earlier this year. He had listed the dually bed, rear end and front suspension in the classifieds. I was hoping to get the bed and rear end for my GMC R3500 to make a dually with it, but time and money didn't allow.

60-66 Nut

**lolife99** · 11-08-2006, 08:13 PM

I'm in the process of collecting parts. Right now I have a pretty rust free '89 single wheel 1-ton crew cab. Does anyone have some photos of the frame cut area? Just wondering if some of the 14" (to be removed) has to come from underneath the cab,... or if all of it was removed from behind the cab? Also how many inches exactly from the ends of the frame rails? I know someone has posted pics,... but its been awhile.

84 400 · 11-08-2006, 08:33 PM

got pics of the 87??

I have seen a few on ebay and such but non so far on here

Bad71chev406sbc · 11-09-2006, 04:55 AM

pics my friend.....pics.

magnethead · 11-09-2006, 08:53 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by lolife99

I'm in the process of collecting parts. Right now I have a pretty rust free '89 single wheel 1-ton crew cab. Does anyone have some photos of the frame cut area? Just wondering if some of the 14" (to be removed) has to come from underneath the cab,... or if all of it was removed from behind the cab? Also how many inches exactly from the ends of the frame rails? I know someone has posted pics,... but its been awhile.

I think it's forward of the first bed holes but behind the cab...somebody correct me if wrong.

tbirdman88 · 11-09-2006, 08:54 PM

Hey lolife99
http://www.cardomain.com/ride/828517/2
Go to this sight i have a few pics for reference, the measurements on your truck might be different. but you can get the general idea.
As far as the end of the frame i just put my bed on and mark the frame and cut enough off for the bed to set flush on the frame, around 5 inches, but double check.

donnie
87shortcrewcab

vern350 · 11-09-2006, 09:29 PM

my sisters b/f and his dad have created a few of them. I've posted their crewcab shortbox, 1/2 ton on there. I can't seem to find any pictures of it right now. Heres another one they did. Looks identical. Except it is a 3/4 ton.

vern350 · 11-09-2006, 09:35 PM

http://67-72chevytrucks.com/vboard/s...d.php?t=143179

heres the other tread i had.

bigarmzz · 11-09-2006, 11:22 PM

man, that looks cool

i wander why the heck GM never built them like that?

Quote:

Originally Posted by vern350

my sisters b/f and his dad have created a few of them. I've posted their crewcab shortbox, 1/2 ton on there. I can't seem to find any pictures of it right now. Heres another one they did. Looks identical. Except it is a 3/4 ton.

Bad71chev406sbc · 11-10-2006, 01:44 AM

Wouldn't they look just awesome with a 4-6 drop kit, tubbed, and norrowed rear, and 572!!

**lolife99** · 11-11-2006, 09:12 PM

tbirdman88,... thanks for the link. Vern350,... both of those trucks are sweet. What is everyone doing for the 1/2 ton rear suspension? Just installing the 1/2 ton springs in the 3/4 ton or 1 ton hangers? Or are you changing hangers also? Maybe a 4 bar from Air Ride Technologies would be easier. Thanks, lolife99.

79Silv4x4 · 11-11-2006, 10:14 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by bigarmzz

man, that looks cool

i wander why the heck GM never built them like that?

Yeah, and why did they leave off lock cylinders on the rear doors--keyless wasn't so popular back then!

Stano · 11-12-2006, 01:53 AM

I am currently in the planning, dismantling stages of my crew cab 4x4 3/4 ton shortbed. I got a 77 with a really good body(needs rockerpanels) and am planning on putting a 89-91 frontend on it. Have the sheetmetal just need the core support and grille stuff. Am still needing a left short bedside and/or a whole bed. Best part is I got only $20 in the running gear,truck and all. Will be powered by either a 472(11,000mi) or 500(needs rebuilt)cid caddy engine. 4-6in lift and at least 35's. I also have a complete power window,lock and bucket seat interior from a 86 Burb that will be going in thats gray in color. Now all I need is the time to do it. Probably this summer when I am not teaching school.

tbirdman88 · 11-12-2006, 07:42 PM

lolife99
I used the 1/2 ton rearend with the 3/4 ton springs with 2 leafs taken out, thats all the springs i had.Dont know yet how it rides, haven't got the truck running yet. Truck is also dropped 4-6 with 18's. You will have to use to the 1/2 ton spring hangers.
the factory 3/4 ton springs on the crew cab frame are mounted inboard 2 inches more than the 1/2 ton, or weld the spring perches on the rearend in a different location,a long with the shock mounts. the shocks on the 3/4 ton are mounted backwards from the 1/2 ton. I learned my lesson the hard way.
hope this helps.
donnie-shortcrew87 1/2 ton

**N2TRUX** · 11-12-2006, 08:41 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by bigarmzz;

man, that looks cool

i wander why the heck GM never built them like that?

According to the GM exec that I spoke to in the mid 90's about this subject "GM feels that the consumer doesn't want a short bed crewcab" Their studies showed that people who bought crewcabs used them for work trucks and wanted a long bed. I pointed out how well Ford was doing in the market with the F150 Supercrew which is a "shortbed crewcab". It was at that point that our conversation got cut short....

Prerunner1982 · 11-13-2006, 10:40 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by N2TRUX

According to the GM exec that I spoke to in the mid 90's about this subject "GM feels that the consumer doesn't want a short bed crewcab" Their studies showed that people who bought crewcabs used them for work trucks and wanted a long bed. I pointed out how well Ford was doing in the market with the F150 Supercrew which is a "shortbed crewcab". It was at that point that our conversation got cut short....

well seeing as how crewcabs were only offered in longbed then yes most got used for work, not everyone wants to drive such a long truck around. Sounds like they lost out on a market that they could have started long before ford..

79Silv4x4 · 11-13-2006, 11:44 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Prerunner1982

well seeing as how crewcabs were only offered in longbed then yes most got used for work, not everyone wants to drive such a long truck around. Sounds like they lost out on a market that they could have started long before ford..

Dodge made them back in the late '70s IIRC.

**N2TRUX** · 11-13-2006, 12:26 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by 79Silv4x4

Dodge made them back in the late '70s IIRC.

Yes they did. They were 3/4 ton crew trucks, but they were short bed crewcabs. My shop class in highschool had one.

kdubaz · 11-14-2006, 11:26 PM

I'm looking into doing this mod myself, but I'm curious if there's a height difference between the 3/4 ton and 1/2 ton frames. Does the 1/2 ton front crossmember bolt into the 3/4 ton frame? I'm theorizing that I could use the front 3/4 ton frame up to the bed, then use the shorty bed clip for the bed mounts, and just use the 1/2 ton front suspension. Am I going on the right path here?

magnethead · 11-15-2006, 01:08 AM

far as I know, all the frames were 34" wide? If anything, the difference was in the height of the framee rails..mine are pretty large...like 8 or 10", or whatever is 2" less than the overall height of the fuel tanks minus filler neck.

11-07-2006, 05:57 AM	#1
tbirdman88 87 short crewcab Join Date: Jan 2004 Location: duncan okla Posts: 82	87 1/2 ton crewcab swb Is there anyone else, besides me that has ,or is building a 73-90 1/2 ton shortbed crew cab. 87 shortcrewcab donnie

11-08-2006, 09:46 AM	#2
N2TRUX Happy to be here Join Date: Mar 2000 Location: Cypress, TX Posts: 39,021	Re: 87 1/2 ton crewcab swb I think you are the only member building one. I know almost everyone on here would love to own one.... __________________ Follow me on Facebook and Instagram @N2trux.com Articles- "Jake" the 84 to 74 crewcab "Elwood" the77_Remix 85 GMC Sierra "Scarlett" "Refining Sierra"

11-08-2006, 11:50 AM	#3
zden Registered User Join Date: Apr 2006 Location: Montgomery, TX Posts: 72	Re: 87 1/2 ton crewcab swb i had an 89 a couple years ago that i converted from a 3/4 ton. i wish i had'nt sold it __________________ 1966 Chevrolet Suburban 1955 Chevrolet Bel Air

11-08-2006, 12:54 PM	#4
Prerunner1982 Registered User Join Date: Oct 2002 Location: Edmond, OK Posts: 5,904	Re: 87 1/2 ton crewcab swb One of my project ideas is for a crewcab on a reg cab long bed 4x4 frame. I wouldnt be able to put a short wide bed on it, but it would definately be a short flat bed... a crew cab longbed is too long for any trails.. heck a reg cab long bed is still pushing it.. but atleast with the crewcab I could take the whole family and still have enough room on the flatbed for equipement. I think GM should have offered the crewcab shortbeds in this body style.. some people have families but still need to use a truck once in awhile... __________________ Jon 1982 Chevy Silverado 350/th350.... RETIRED 1993 Jeep XJ 2 door(Cherokee) 4wd 4.0ltr/AX-15 (5spd)/NP231 .... Oklahoma Roll Call

11-08-2006, 05:01 PM	#5
60-66 Nut Professional Beer Tester Join Date: Aug 2004 Location: Louisiana Posts: 453	Re: 87 1/2 ton crewcab swb A member named OJOE was supposed to be starting one earlier this year. He had listed the dually bed, rear end and front suspension in the classifieds. I was hoping to get the bed and rear end for my GMC R3500 to make a dually with it, but time and money didn't allow. 60-66 Nut __________________ 60 Ford F100 Custom Cab 61 Apache Short Fleetside 64 C10 Short Stepside 65 C80 409 V8 5spd(X-Firetruck) 83 GMC 350 Olds Diesel 85 GMC Short Bed 86 GMC Short Bed 90 GMC R3500 Crew Cab 92 GMC 1500

11-08-2006, 08:13 PM	#6
lolife99 67-72 parts collector,… Join Date: Nov 2002 Location: Mid-MO Posts: 22,700	Re: 87 1/2 ton crewcab swb I'm in the process of collecting parts. Right now I have a pretty rust free '89 single wheel 1-ton crew cab. Does anyone have some photos of the frame cut area? Just wondering if some of the 14" (to be removed) has to come from underneath the cab,... or if all of it was removed from behind the cab? Also how many inches exactly from the ends of the frame rails? I know someone has posted pics,... but its been awhile. __________________ Keith Convert to disc brakes. http://67-72chevytrucks.com/vboard/s...d.php?t=444823

11-08-2006, 08:33 PM	#7
84 400 Sb 400 club Join Date: Nov 2005 Location: NH / MA Posts: 2,746	Re: 87 1/2 ton crewcab swb got pics of the 87?? I have seen a few on ebay and such but non so far on here __________________ 1984 chevy c10, built 400sb,.(SOLD) 77 K10 Project / daily driver "The Grinch" http://67-72chevytrucks.com/vboard/s...d.php?t=318363 1956 Willys Wagon (327 chevy) Project (Now Buick 225) 1980 Corvette L-48 4 speed 1992 Mustang GT built 5.0 5 speed 1985 C10 LWB Sold 1982 K10 SWB plow truck Parted out 1986 D30 M1028 fire brush truck Parted out Last edited by 84 400; 11-08-2006 at 08:34 PM.

11-09-2006, 04:55 AM	#8
Bad71chev406sbc Registered User Join Date: Nov 2006 Location: Boring, Oregon Posts: 162	Re: 87 1/2 ton crewcab swb pics my friend.....pics. __________________ '71 SNB, 406sbc, TH350 w/ Transpak & Starshifter, 12bolt w/ 3.73s, 2" Early Classic front coils, 2.5" Flowmaster Super 40's

11-09-2006, 08:54 PM	#10
tbirdman88 87 short crewcab Join Date: Jan 2004 Location: duncan okla Posts: 82	Re: 87 1/2 ton crewcab swb Hey lolife99 http://www.cardomain.com/ride/828517/2 Go to this sight i have a few pics for reference, the measurements on your truck might be different. but you can get the general idea. As far as the end of the frame i just put my bed on and mark the frame and cut enough off for the bed to set flush on the frame, around 5 inches, but double check. donnie 87shortcrewcab

11-09-2006, 09:29 PM	#11
vern350 like a rock Join Date: Nov 2004 Location: Ontario, Canada Posts: 517	Re: 87 1/2 ton crewcab swb my sisters b/f and his dad have created a few of them. I've posted their crewcab shortbox, 1/2 ton on there. I can't seem to find any pictures of it right now. Heres another one they did. Looks identical. Except it is a 3/4 ton.

11-09-2006, 09:35 PM	#12
vern350 like a rock Join Date: Nov 2004 Location: Ontario, Canada Posts: 517	Re: 87 1/2 ton crewcab swb http://67-72chevytrucks.com/vboard/s...d.php?t=143179 heres the other tread i had.

11-10-2006, 01:44 AM	#14
Bad71chev406sbc Registered User Join Date: Nov 2006 Location: Boring, Oregon Posts: 162	Re: 87 1/2 ton crewcab swb Wouldn't they look just awesome with a 4-6 drop kit, tubbed, and norrowed rear, and 572!! __________________ '71 SNB, 406sbc, TH350 w/ Transpak & Starshifter, 12bolt w/ 3.73s, 2" Early Classic front coils, 2.5" Flowmaster Super 40's

11-11-2006, 09:12 PM	#15
lolife99 67-72 parts collector,… Join Date: Nov 2002 Location: Mid-MO Posts: 22,700	Re: 87 1/2 ton crewcab swb tbirdman88,... thanks for the link. Vern350,... both of those trucks are sweet. What is everyone doing for the 1/2 ton rear suspension? Just installing the 1/2 ton springs in the 3/4 ton or 1 ton hangers? Or are you changing hangers also? Maybe a 4 bar from Air Ride Technologies would be easier. Thanks, lolife99. __________________ Keith Convert to disc brakes. http://67-72chevytrucks.com/vboard/s...d.php?t=444823

11-12-2006, 01:53 AM	#17
Stano Registered User Join Date: Jul 2000 Location: Mo Posts: 963	Re: 87 1/2 ton crewcab swb I am currently in the planning, dismantling stages of my crew cab 4x4 3/4 ton shortbed. I got a 77 with a really good body(needs rockerpanels) and am planning on putting a 89-91 frontend on it. Have the sheetmetal just need the core support and grille stuff. Am still needing a left short bedside and/or a whole bed. Best part is I got only $20 in the running gear,truck and all. Will be powered by either a 472(11,000mi) or 500(needs rebuilt)cid caddy engine. 4-6in lift and at least 35's. I also have a complete power window,lock and bucket seat interior from a 86 Burb that will be going in thats gray in color. Now all I need is the time to do it. Probably this summer when I am not teaching school. __________________ New daily driver 96 Chevy K3500 crew cab dually 53,000 miles 350 Vortec 4L80 Nice ride 67 Chevy C-10 LWB Built 350 TH-400 Wifes ride and family rig: 2001 Furd Expedition 5.4 Liter Kickin back in Rolla,Mo. USA "Do the thing you fear most and the death of fear is certain" Mark Twain

11-12-2006, 07:42 PM	#18
tbirdman88 87 short crewcab Join Date: Jan 2004 Location: duncan okla Posts: 82	Re: 87 1/2 ton crewcab swb lolife99 I used the 1/2 ton rearend with the 3/4 ton springs with 2 leafs taken out, thats all the springs i had.Dont know yet how it rides, haven't got the truck running yet. Truck is also dropped 4-6 with 18's. You will have to use to the 1/2 ton spring hangers. the factory 3/4 ton springs on the crew cab frame are mounted inboard 2 inches more than the 1/2 ton, or weld the spring perches on the rearend in a different location,a long with the shock mounts. the shocks on the 3/4 ton are mounted backwards from the 1/2 ton. I learned my lesson the hard way. hope this helps. donnie-shortcrew87 1/2 ton Last edited by tbirdman88; 11-12-2006 at 07:45 PM.



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11-14-2006, 11:26 PM	#23
kdubaz Registered User Join Date: Nov 2003 Location: Scottsdale, AZ Posts: 85	Re: 87 1/2 ton crewcab swb I'm looking into doing this mod myself, but I'm curious if there's a height difference between the 3/4 ton and 1/2 ton frames. Does the 1/2 ton front crossmember bolt into the 3/4 ton frame? I'm theorizing that I could use the front 3/4 ton frame up to the bed, then use the shorty bed clip for the bed mounts, and just use the 1/2 ton front suspension. Am I going on the right path here? __________________ Kevin Whipps Writer & Photographer Whipps Industries.com

11-15-2006, 01:08 AM	#24
magnethead 7000 #'s of american IRON Join Date: Dec 2004 Location: north tx Posts: 883	Re: 87 1/2 ton crewcab swb far as I know, all the frames were 34" wide? If anything, the difference was in the height of the framee rails..mine are pretty large...like 8 or 10", or whatever is 2" less than the overall height of the fuel tanks minus filler neck.

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