Longbed-Shortbed Conversion

[Theoriginalsilverado]

I'm sure you've noticed the popularity of short beds v.s. long beds. I myself own a longbed, and I love it. But I must admit, I wouldn't mind having a short bed. The beautiful thing about short beds are they're easy to make look good, and they look really good dropped. Long beds can look just as good if not better than short beds, but you have to get it right. Restoring a short bed is not easier, but you're more likely to end up with something everyone loves.

And that leads me to my question. Has anybody modified their longbed into a short bed? And if so, how'd it go?

It turns out it's not only possible, but appearingly easy. LMC Truck paired up with the T.V show "Gearz", to give you an illustration of how one might do this.

The process was pretty simple:
1- Remove the bed
2- Measure and cut a section from the chassis
3-Fit together and weld the chassis back together
4-Install a short bed

The whole process can be watched on YouTube, and the first video can be found here, @https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=O9zy08qsahk&feature=youtube_gdata_player

**The rest of the show can be watched in separate videos on the suggestions below the video


So, take a look at the video, and tell me what you think! I would love to hear any stories!

[nekkidhillbilly]

its done all the time on here. id rather have a long bed myself.

[BONUSCAB]

And to go through the effort to shorten a truck means you are literally working way too hard to be like every one else. If you're gonna put the effort in, you should take an eight foot bed truck, and make it into a ten foot bed. Make some brains explode.

[nekkidhillbilly]

i agree with you

[Big Port Jimmy 6]

My crew was shortened, cuz I don't need an 8 footer. 14 inches in front of the axle, 7 behind. Jay

[Tx Firefighter]

I did one last year. I just happen to like shortbeds. Those who have been on here a while know I've built a pile of shortbeds over the years. Its a straightforward job on a 73-87 truck.

[SkinnyG]

Originally Posted by BONUSCAB

<snip> If you're gonna put the effort in, you should take an eight foot bed truck, and make it into a ten foot bed.

Sounds like you ~do~ care (grin).

I did one last spring, exactly as Tx Firefighter did (same cut, same weld, same fish plate and everything). I, too, happen to like short box trucks. They are also super scarce where I am. I had a long box. I also had a plasma cutter, and a welder, and I wasn't afraid to use either.

It wasn't hard to do at all. A bit time consuming, but care and attention-to-detail means less mistakes.

Good luck! And post pictures of the job!

[Gordonr1973]

I like the comment about a 10' bed----that would make me look twice for sure! :-)

I have a short bed and a long bed, short bed looks nice but the long bed is the smoothest truck I have ever driven --- great for Sunday drives !!

[wilkin250r]

I'm more a man of utility. Lifted trucks allow for bigger tires, which handles difficult terrain better. Longer beds allow for more stuff. As an added bonus, larger lifts look better with longer trucks. If I could, I would have a quad-cab long bed.

[nekkidhillbilly]

bigger tanks and more room. lb def has the advantage.

[Jonboy]

Originally Posted by SkinnyG

Sounds like you ~do~ care (grin).

I did one last spring, exactly as Tx Firefighter did (same cut, same weld, same fish plate and everything). I, too, happen to like short box trucks. They are also super scarce where I am. I had a long box. I also had a plasma cutter, and a welder, and I wasn't afraid to use either.

It wasn't hard to do at all. A bit time consuming, but care and attention-to-detail means less mistakes.

Good luck! And post pictures of the job!

I did the same thing too. I like the idea of having a crew cab short bed, a vehicle GM never made (but should have). It also fits in my driveway a lot better as a short bed than it did as a long bed.

[mMad Dawg]

has anyone made a longbed box into a shortbed . If so where do you cut on the box.

[INSIDIOUS '86]

Wonderfull thing about these trucks. Long or short you can have six in your backyard each one radically different than the others. But still they are all the same truck.

[riz]

Personally I think long beds look way better lifted and short beds look way better lowered.

RIZ

[mMad Dawg]

I appreciate your opinions ,but that still doesnt tell me where to cut the box to make it a shortbed

[Tx Firefighter]

Few people cut the beds down. That's much more common on earlier model trucks. As yet, 73/87 beds are plentiful enough that most guys can find one. That's why you're not getting much response on the process of shortening the bed itself. I'm sure it will become more common as the short bed supply further dries up.

[mMad Dawg]

The thing is I have 2 sets of long box sides.I Know how to cut down a 67-72 bed but how much and where do I cut a 73-87 bed . Surely some has done this.

[SkinnyG]

Cut behind the forward box mounting hole.



Cut 5 to 6" off the back. I cut 5".



You will likely need to drill a new box mounting hole here:



My write-up is here: http://www.gwellwood.com/project-car...ing-the-frame/

I was going to cut down my box, but had to start with this, so I didn't:



Since the box doesn't really have any "style" along the sides, I would remove from the front edge of the box, and from right behind the tail lights.

I had lucked out and found a local short box for slightly more cost than replacement wheel arches for the ratty long box.

[mMad Dawg]

does anyone have the measurements for a shortbox . Measurement from front of box to wheelwell. Measurement from rear of box to wheelwell. Thanks . Sorry but shortboxes are hard to find up here. I have 2 longboxes that I would like to cut down for a crewcab Im building.

[77c10]

Originally Posted by mMad Dawg

does anyone have the measurements for a shortbox . Measurement from front of box to wheelwell. Measurement from rear of box to wheelwell. Thanks . Sorry but shortboxes are hard to find up here. I have 2 longboxes that I would like to cut down for a crewcab Im building.

I can take a measurement on mine when I get home from work tonight and let you know. Someone else may respond before then.

[83 Silverado]

This is a build I following with a bed cut down for a short box. If you got the parts, the time and skills give it a go.

http://67-72chevytrucks.com/vboard/s...d.php?t=422169

[bojak]

Originally Posted by wilkin250r

I'm more a man of utility. Lifted trucks allow for bigger tires, which handles difficult terrain better. Longer beds allow for more stuff. As an added bonus, larger lifts look better with longer trucks. If I could, I would have a quad-cab long bed.

I second this. Also in my neck of the woods you put a crossover toolbox in and use up some room. Nothing looks worse to me than a 6 foot bed truck with a big tool box in it. Might as well have an explorer sport or an avalanche. I think camper shells look can look bettrr on longbeds too. I prefer 3/4 and 1 ton trucks and the longer wheel base helps with ride quality in my opinion.

[nekkidhillbilly]

like the op said it doesnt to make a short bed look good. so to me make a longbed look good you have accomplished something and stayed out of the norm cookie cutter. you get the same thing with a body gms. 10 chevelles for one skylark or cutlass. that said ppl will forget about the chevelle when a nice skylark is setting beside it cause it stands out.

[slimneverdies]

I have a 78 C20 crew cab long bed that I want to make a short bed. I've seen many ways to do it on here and 67-72chevy but I'm curious as to why hasn't anyone just cut 20" off the rear of the frame instead of messing around splicing the frame? All I would have to do then is make new holes for the rear bed mounts and setup my 4 link to square the rear end, unless I'm missing something. Is this for guys who want to just move the rear suspension forward or is the frame not long enough in the rear with a straight shot to relocate the rear bed mounts?

[BONUSCAB]

This guy knows that's up...

http://www.ebay.com/itm/1983-chevy-K...p2047675.l2557